Rep. Leigh Davis

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Becket to place a six-month pause on approving new large-scale solar power projects and battery storage systems. During this time, the town will conduct a study to review zoning rules and determine how to regulate these installations while protecting local ecological resources. The temporary halt applies to all large-scale projects except for small battery systems used as accessories to individual homes. This measure gives the town planning staff time to analyze the issue before making permanent changes to local zoning laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Town of Stockbridge to keep its volunteer firefighters and fire engineers working until age 70 instead of forcing them to retire at 65. To ensure safety, the town can require these employees to undergo medical exams at their own expense to prove they are physically and mentally capable of performing their duties. The law also clarifies that no deductions from their pay will be made for retirement purposes after they turn 65. This change directly affects the employment terms for eligible fire personnel in Stockbridge who wish to continue serving.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a 0.62-mile segment of Route 7A in Lenox (from mile marker 2 to 2.62) as the "Ross B. Dindio Memorial Highway." It requires the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to install and maintain standard highway markers with this name. The bill has no policy impact - it is purely commemorative and affects no laws, regulations, or individuals beyond the highway signage.

Maddy summaryHD 539 establishes a statewide network of community-run peer respite programs to provide short-term, non-clinical support for people experiencing mental health crises. It requires the state department to fund and establish at least 14 regional peer respites, including one in every county, plus two dedicated LGBTQIA+ peer respites (managed by LGBTQIA+ individuals with lived experience) and two dedicated BIPOC peer respites (managed by BIPOC individuals with lived experience). These programs must operate in home-like settings, offer trauma-informed peer support focused on recovery and social connection, and avoid clinical services. The bill mandates funding to cover staffing, training, fair compensation for peer supporters, and specialized training for staff serving LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. It directly affects individuals experiencing acute mental distress, with specific provisions to improve access for marginalized groups often underserved in mental health systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to set a $30,000 annual spending cap on total travel and expense reimbursements for Mass Wildlife Board members. It specifies that board members serve without salary but can be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred while performing official duties, with the total reimbursement for all members limited to $30,000 per fiscal year. The change directly affects current and future board members who travel for official business. The key provision replaces the previous reimbursement language with this clear annual spending limit.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Massachusetts cities and towns receive Chapter 90 road and bridge funding. Starting June 1 each year, the state must pay these funds in quarterly installments (not all at once), with each payment capped at one-fourth of a community's annual allotment. It directly affects all cities and towns that receive Chapter 90 funds for road, bridge, or infrastructure projects. The key change is the shift from annual to quarterly disbursements to improve local cash flow management.

Maddy summaryHD 1879 updates Massachusetts law to clarify and strengthen protections against secret photography of intimate body parts. The bill defines key terms like "electronically surveils" (using devices to secretly capture images) and specifies "sexual or other intimate parts" as genitals, buttocks, pubic area, or female nipples. It increases penalties: up to 2.5 years in jail or $5,000 fine for adults, and up to 5 years in prison or $10,000 fine for minors or incompetent individuals. The law applies directly to anyone who secretly photographs another person's intimate areas without consent, with consent being a valid defense only if the victim was competent.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated fund to support microtransit services in Massachusetts rural areas without frequent bus service (defined as locations outside urbanized areas per federal standards). The fund, financed by 3% of annual transportation revenues ("fair share funds"), private contributions, and federal grants, will expand flexible, technology-driven shared transportation options. It specifically targets improving first-mile/last-mile access in underserved communities, promoting electric vehicle adoption, and supporting existing programs like the South County Connector. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will administer the fund and track outcomes including a 30% increase in transit access within five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Massachusetts allocates state funds for municipal road and bridge projects (Chapter 90 funds). It requires the commissioner to distribute these funds using a new formula based on three factors: population (15.333%), road mileage (69.334%), and employment (15.333%). The formula applies to all expenditures for maintaining, repairing, improving, and constructing municipal ways, bridges, and eligible projects. This directly affects cities and towns receiving these state funds by making the allocation process more standardized and transparent. The change replaces previous allocation methods with this specific, quantifiable formula.