Rep. Kristin Kassner

Maddy summaryHD 935 requires virtual currency kiosk operators in Massachusetts to obtain a money transmitter license and register locations with the Commissioner of Banks before operating. Operators must submit quarterly location reports and provide clear, mandatory disclosures to customers, including prominent warnings about irreversible transactions, lack of government backing, scam risks (with specific examples like impersonation scams), and volatility. The bill also sets a $1,000 daily transaction limit per customer and mandates disclosure of fees, exchange rates, and policy changes. This directly affects businesses operating physical kiosks for buying/selling virtual currency in Massachusetts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the John F. Kennedy Service Scholarship program to provide student debt relief for Massachusetts residents who completed volunteer service with the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Massachusetts' Commonwealth Corps. Eligible applicants must be Massachusetts residents, have completed one approved volunteer program, work for Massachusetts state/municipal government, a federal office in Massachusetts, or a Massachusetts nonprofit, and earn below the state median income. Qualified individuals would receive grants covering 100% of their outstanding student debt, up to a maximum of $5,000 per person. The program's implementation would be managed by a state agency, subject to annual funding appropriations.

Maddy summaryHD 240 requires anyone using pesticides containing glyphosate to hold a valid license from the department, affecting both users (like farmers or landscapers) and retailers. The bill mandates that retailers verify a customer’s license before selling glyphosate pesticides and register their business with the department for a $25 annual fee. It prohibits unsupervised use by licensed individuals and restricts sales to licensed customers only, with specific rules for general-use pesticides. The law takes effect 12 months after passage.

Maddy summaryHD 1554 establishes a statewide mosquito management program in Massachusetts prioritizing ecological approaches over chemical treatments. It creates a Mosquito Management Board to develop a science-based plan requiring municipalities and mosquito control districts to first use source reduction (like removing standing water and restoring wetlands), limit larvicides to disease-affected areas, and ban PFAS-containing pesticides. The plan prohibits aerial adulticide use and restricts ground applications to locations with confirmed disease risk, while allowing municipalities to opt out of treatments except during declared public health emergencies. This directly affects all local mosquito control programs, public health agencies, and landowners across the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryHD 2733 modifies a state tax provision to redirect 2.5% of the previous fiscal year's room occupancy tax revenue toward tourism promotion. This change directly affects hotels and lodging businesses that collect the room tax, as the funds will now be allocated specifically for tourism marketing and economic development programs. The key mechanism is reallocating an existing portion of tax revenue - previously unused for this purpose - into a dedicated tourism promotion fund. The bill aims to support job growth and business development in the tourism, hospitality, and visitor sectors through targeted marketing initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds for corn, wheat, and soybeans starting January 1, 2029, directly affecting farmers growing these crops. Exceptions require a department-issued waiver based on a pest risk assessment showing the neonicotinoid is necessary to prevent significant crop damage, with no less harmful alternatives available. Waivers must specify location, duration (max one year), and environmental safeguards, and must be publicly posted online. The law mandates farmers to maintain records of waiver use for department review. It aims to reduce neonicotinoid pesticide exposure to pollinators and water sources by restricting their agricultural use.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Invasive Species Trust Fund to support efforts against invasive species in Massachusetts. It directly affects municipalities, non-profits, state agencies, and universities by providing grant funding for control projects. The fund, financed by license fees and other sources, requires applicants to submit detailed management plans and prioritizes projects targeting new infestations first, followed by spread prevention and long-term maintenance. Grants cover up to 75% of annual costs for up to five years, with oversight by a statewide coordinator and advisory committee. The bill establishes clear guidelines for project eligibility, environmental impact assessments, and alignment with the statewide strategic management plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts colleges and universities to provide students with official academic transcripts for courses where tuition and required fees are fully paid. Institutions may withhold transcripts only for unpaid courses or semesters, but cannot deny transcripts due to unpaid loans, fines, or other non-tuition debts. It applies to all public colleges, private occupational schools, and private universities in the state. The Department of Higher Education will create implementing regulations, ensuring students can access transcripts to transfer credits or apply for jobs without financial barriers.

Maddy summaryHD 737 prevents Massachusetts colleges and universities from withholding a student's academic transcripts solely because they owe unpaid fees, tuition, or other debts to the institution. The bill allows schools to withhold a student's grades or credits for specific courses where tuition and mandatory fees for that course remain unpaid, including for semester-based payments. It explicitly states institutions may still withhold diplomas or degrees for unpaid debts. The law applies to all public and private colleges, universities, and occupational schools, with the Department of Higher Education responsible for creating implementation rules.

Maddy summaryH 5032 requires that for public construction projects in Massachusetts exceeding $10 million in cost, contractors and subcontractors must ensure at least 15% of labor hours for each trade are performed by registered apprentices. This applies to all public works projects (like schools or roads) and directly affects construction companies bidding on such projects. Contractors must use apprentice programs approved by the Division of Apprentice Standards and maintain required apprentice-to-journeyperson ratios. Public agencies can exempt specific trades only after proving no qualified bidders with apprenticeship programs are available, with strict documentation requirements. The bill does not apply to projects under $10 million or exempt entire projects unless documented per trade.