Maddy summaryThis bill requires Materials Recovery Facilities, or MRFs, in Massachusetts to provide regular reports to the Department of Environmental Protection detailing the weight, composition, and destinations of recyclable materials they process. To ensure transparency, MRFs must use independent third-party audits to track inbound waste and outbound sales, while also sharing pricing data with the index publishers they rely on for contracts. The legislation further mandates that MRFs calculate fees for municipal customers based on market values and prohibits charging more than 150% of actual costs for contaminated materials. These reporting and pricing rules will take effect on January 1, 2024, with specific regulations to be finalized by the department by July 1, 2024.
Rep. Dave Rogers
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires emergency responders, law enforcement, and coroners in Massachusetts to record and submit the locations of fatal and nonfatal opiate overdoses to the state department. The data collected will be used to create a public website that maps where these overdoses occur, allowing communities to identify high-risk areas. To protect privacy, the law explicitly forbids the public release of any information that could identify specific individuals, such as names or home addresses. The new mapping system must comply with federal privacy regulations regarding health information, and the database will be updated monthly with new reports.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Climate and Community Resilience Fund to support climate change efforts, with a specific focus on low-income communities and areas facing environmental injustices. The fund will be financed through property insurance fees, state appropriations, bonds, investment income, and external donations, while unspent money will carry over to the next fiscal year rather than returning to the general budget. An eleven-member independent board, required to reflect the state's racial, ethnic, geographic, and economic diversity, will oversee the fund's administration. This board will include representatives from community-based organizations and experts in fields such as environmental justice, housing, and public health to guide how the money is spent.
By Representative Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2363) of David Paul Linsky and others relative to the sale, transfer, or possession of large capacity ammunition gun feeding devices. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2360) of David Paul Linsky and others relative to 3D printed weapons and ghost guns. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2312) of Marjorie C. Decker and others relative to prohibiting ghost guns, so-called, that allow gun pieces to be legally purchased or made to create firearms that lack serial numbers. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to strengthen protections for wetlands and water resources during housing development applications. It requires that any decision to deny a waiver for local environmental rules be presumed to support community needs, as long as those rules aim to protect waters, wetlands, and groundwater. The change directly affects municipalities, regional governments, and developers by reinforcing the authority of local conservation commissions to uphold environmental safeguards. By establishing this presumption, the legislation ensures that local environmental priorities are prioritized over development requests unless proven otherwise.
By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2314) of Marjorie C. Decker relative to unreasonable limits on in-person visitation of inmates. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representatives Balser of Newton and Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2288) of Ruth B. Balser, Manny Cruz and others for legislation to prohibit local and state involvement in federal immigration enforcement, unless required by law. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require large fashion companies to conduct due diligence on their supply chains to prevent human rights abuses and environmental harm. It specifically targets fashion sellers with over $100 million in annual revenue and fashion manufacturers, defining their obligations across four tiers of suppliers, from final assembly to raw material extraction. Companies must identify and mitigate risks related to labor conditions, such as ensuring workers earn a living wage, and document their efforts in a due diligence report. The legislation focuses on establishing clear definitions and reporting requirements rather than mandating specific outcomes or setting penalties for non-compliance.