Rep. Mike Connolly

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a sales tax exemption for aircraft purchases in Massachusetts. It removes a provision that previously allowed aircraft to be exempt from sales tax, meaning buyers will now pay standard sales tax on aircraft. The change directly affects individuals and businesses purchasing aircraft within the state. The bill modifies existing tax code language (Section 6 of Chapter 64H) by striking outdated subsections.

Maddy summaryHD 1204 establishes a tiered minimum tax for corporations operating in the Commonwealth based on their annual sales within the state. Corporations with sales under $1 million pay $456, while those with sales exceeding $1 billion pay $150,000 annually. The tax applies directly to out-of-state corporations doing business in the Commonwealth, with rates increasing incrementally as sales volume rises across nine defined tiers. This policy changes the existing minimum tax structure by tying payments strictly to sales thresholds rather than income.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Massachusetts maintains voter registration lists. It replaces automatic removal of voters after two years of inactivity with a new "inactive voters list" system. Registrars must send voters a notice if their address appears outdated, giving them 2 years to confirm continued residency by voting, returning a notice card, or submitting written affirmation. Voters on the inactive list can restore their status without penalty during this period. The bill directly affects residents whose addresses may no longer match registration records, ensuring they aren't removed without opportunity to verify eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill (HD 2561) requires transparency in political text-based communications. It mandates that entities (like corporations or groups) sending SMS, MMS, or similar text messages for electioneering within 90 days of an election must include a disclosure statement identifying the paying entity, the phrase "Top Contributors," and listing the top 5 contributors who gave over $1,000 in the past year. Excluded from this requirement are news stories, messages to fewer than 100 people, membership communications, and email or internet ads not paid as advertisements. The disclosure must also include a link to the state's campaign finance website.

Maddy summaryHD 2216 allows cities and towns to create citizen-funded election campaign programs for municipal offices. It establishes a "Democracy Trust Fund" managed by the city clerk, which matches small donations ($10 or more from registered voters) with double the amount, up to a set limit. Candidates must receive a set number of qualifying small donations and agree to spending limits per campaign cycle. This directly affects local candidates and voters in communities that adopt the program through charter changes or local ordinances, aiming to increase participation from residents who cannot raise large donations.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes overtime rules for Massachusetts agricultural workers and creates a tax credit for farms. It requires farms to pay overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked beyond 55 in a week (instead of the standard 40 hours) for employees primarily engaged in farming activities. Farms employing agricultural workers (excluding immediate family members) receive a refundable tax credit of up to 40% of overtime wages paid, with smaller farms getting a higher percentage of the credit based on their employee count. The credit is designed to offset compliance costs for farms while clarifying what constitutes agricultural work under the law.

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 149) of Jason M. Lewis, James K. Hawkins, John F. Keenan, Manny Cruz and other members of the General Court for legislation to increase current medical providers' knowledge about autism in order to improve treatment. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Maddy summaryHD 856 would allow eligible Massachusetts voters to register in person on election day at their polling place or an early voting site. To register, voters must present proof of residence (like a utility bill or driver's license) and sign an affidavit confirming they meet voting requirements (citizenship, age, residency, etc.), with penalties for false statements including up to 5 years in prison or a $5,000 fine. The bill requires election officials to immediately permit voting after registration, adds the voter to the permanent list, and allows provisional ballots if proof of residence isn't presented upfront (requiring submission within 2-6 days). This directly affects voters who miss traditional registration deadlines but reside in Massachusetts.

Maddy summaryThis bill replaces the existing estate tax law with a new system that imposes a state estate tax on estates exceeding $2 million in value. It establishes progressive tax rates starting at 10% for estates over $2 million and rising to 30% for estates over $10 million, applying to both residents and non-residents owning property within the state. Estates with a federal gross value under $2 million are exempt from this tax. The new tax structure takes effect for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2025.

Senate, March 23, 2026 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill fostering agricultural resilience in Massachusetts (Senate, No. 2801),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 3029).