By Representative Higgins of Leominster, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2825) of Natalie M. Higgins and others relative to a sales tax exemption for the sale of used books and other items sold by libraries for fundraising purposes. Revenue.
By Representative Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2423) of Steven George Xiarhos and others relative to providing advanced life support to police dogs injured in the line of duty. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative DeCoste of Norwell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2766) of David F. DeCoste and Colleen M. Garry relative to the estate tax. Revenue.
By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2805) of Colleen M. Garry and others relative to tax credits for persons caring for elderly relatives at home. Revenue.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops in Massachusetts. It achieves this by amending state laws to ban licensed pet shops from selling or offering these specific animals for adoption. The legislation directly affects businesses that operate as new pet shops and would prevent them from acting as sources for these pets. By restricting sales in this manner, the bill aims to reduce the number of animals sold in commercial settings.
Senate, 13, 2024 -- The committee on Environment and Natural Resources, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 549) of Patrick M. O'Connor, Adam Scanlon, Jack Patrick Lewis, Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court for legislation to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 550) of Patrick M. O'Connor, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., Steven S. Howitt, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 826) of Natalie M. Higgins, Kimberly N. Ferguson and others for legislation to further regulate the retail sale of certain domestic animals in new pet shops, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2820).
By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2807) of Colleen M. Garry relative to income tax exemptions for certain survivors of acts of terrorism. Revenue.
By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2806) of Colleen M. Garry relative to making assisted living programs eligible for tax increment financing and allowing municipalities to provide flexible targeted incentives. Revenue.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a digital system called an "electronic backpack" to store and share educational records for children in foster care. The system would compile essential information such as school attendance, grades, transcripts, and contact details for case workers and educational decision-makers to ensure continuity when a child moves between schools. Once established, the electronic backpack would be accessible to teachers, authorized guardians, and medical providers who need to support the child's education and well-being. The legislation requires the department to develop specific rules for the system's format and function and mandates that the program be fully implemented within one year of the bill's passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to exempt Purple Heart recipients from paying municipal parking meter fees and Massachusetts State Parks entrance fees. To qualify for this exemption, a veteran must display a special "Order of the Purple Heart Recipient" placard or emblem on their vehicle, which indicates they were combat wounded. The exemption applies only when the recipient is driving or riding as a passenger and the vehicle is not parked in one location for more than 24 hours. Additionally, the law allows the surviving spouse of a deceased Purple Heart recipient to keep the special registration plates for a fee until they remarry or cancel the registration.
