By Representative Roy of Franklin, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3108) of Jeffrey N. Roy and others for legislation to promote American manufacturing by requiring state or municipal agencies or authorities to give preference to materials and goods made in the United States. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
By Representative Lewis of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3518) of Jack Patrick Lewis and others relative to further regulating bonus eligibility for veterans. Veterans and Federal Affairs.
Maddy summaryThis bill revives and extends the operations of the Citizens Commission, a group established in 2018 to advocate for a constitutional amendment to secure government of the people. The legislation amends existing laws to ensure the commission continues its work until a proposed amendment is officially ratified, while also providing the commission with administrative support from the governor's office. Key provisions include updating the rules for appointing commission members to require consultation with minority leaders and establishing a clear process for filling vacancies within specific timeframes. Additionally, the bill mandates that the commission issue an annual report analyzing federal constitutional amendments related to campaign finance and offering recommendations for future legislative actions.
By Representatives Lewis of Framingham and Montaño of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2357) of Jack Patrick Lewis, Samantha Montaño and others for legislation to promote rehabilitation including guaranteed health, treatment and safety for incarcerated LGBTQI+ persons. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that asks the U.S. Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. The measure seeks to restore the ability of the government to regulate campaign spending by corporations and other groups, arguing that current rules allow unlimited influence that threatens fair elections. If passed by Congress and ratified by the states, the amendment would give lawmakers the power to limit how much money can be spent in political campaigns. Currently, the bill only serves as a formal request to Congress and does not change any laws directly.
Maddy summaryThis law establishes a mandatory educational diversion program in Massachusetts for minors charged with specific offenses related to possessing or sharing sexual images, commonly known as sexting. The Attorney General will lead the creation of this program in collaboration with various state agencies and community groups, focusing on informing youth about legal penalties, social consequences, and the risks of online image sharing. If a child is charged with these offenses, the court will typically pause legal proceedings to require the completion of this program instead of immediate prosecution, unless the district attorney objects. Successful completion of the program allows the case to be dismissed, while failure to participate results in the case being restored for standard legal processing. Additionally, the bill expands the legal definition of abuse to include "coercive control" and requires schools to teach media literacy skills using materials from the new diversion program.
By Representative Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2422) of Steven George Xiarhos and others relative to the security of exercise equipment and free weights in correctional institutions. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state fund called the Thermal Transition Trust Fund to help Massachusetts residents switch from gas heating to clean electric alternatives like heat pumps. The fund will be financed by existing energy revenues and will pay for replacing gas appliances, upgrading electrical services, and fixing building insulation issues needed to support these new systems. Money from the fund will be attached to customers' utility bills, allowing them to pay for the upgrades over time without increasing their monthly energy costs. Additionally, the bill sets aside money to retrain workers currently employed in gas pipeline infrastructure for jobs in renewable thermal energy projects.
By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2908) of James J. O'Day and others relative to excluding certain income from the calculation of the tax on incomes in excess of one million dollars. Revenue.
By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2909) of James J. O'Day and others for legislation to require certain married couples to submit joint income tax returns. Revenue.
