Rep. Nick Boldyga

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a prescription drug rebate program for Massachusetts residents aged 65 and older with an annual household income of $50,000 or less. Eligible individuals would receive reimbursement for their total out-of-pocket costs, including insurance co-pays, for covered prescription drugs, with a maximum annual rebate of $2,500 per person. The program would be funded through the state's General Fund and would expire after four years unless reauthorized by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands workplace protections for domestic violence victims by granting them up to 15 days of leave per year specifically to address abuse. It directly affects contract workers, who are individuals performing services for an employer but are not classified as traditional employees under current state law. The leave can be used for activities such as seeking medical care, obtaining legal assistance, securing housing, or attending court proceedings related to the abuse. While the bill mandates this time off, it leaves the decision regarding whether the leave is paid or unpaid entirely to the employer. Additionally, the law requires workers to provide advance notice unless there is an immediate threat to their safety, in which case they must notify their employer within three workdays.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to change the schedule for preliminary elections in the town of Agawam, moving them from their current date to exactly eight weeks before the regular November election. The change would allow voters in Agawam to nominate candidates for local offices earlier in the election cycle. Because this alters the town's charter, the bill requires approval from the town's voters during the 2023 regular election before the new timing takes effect in 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill validates the results of the June 6, 2022 annual town meeting for the town of Blandford. It declares that the votes cast and actions taken during that meeting are official, even though the town did not fully follow the state's requirements for posting the meeting agenda. The law overrides specific sections of the General Laws that would normally invalidate such a meeting and confirms that all decisions made at the time remain in effect. This measure ensures that the town's governance from that period is legally recognized without requiring a new election or redoing the decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state comptroller to move up to $10,000,000 annually from the Race Horse Development Fund to the Community Preservation Trust Fund. The transfer can only happen if the secretary of administration and finance submits a written request each fiscal year. This change would redirect money originally set aside for horse racing development toward community preservation projects.

Senate, June 29, 2023 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 172) of Paul R. Feeney and Tackey Chan for legislation to revitalize agriculture, conditioning and simulcasting; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 273) of Tackey Chan relative to extending simulcasting and live horse racing authorization; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 342) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others for legislation to authorize the comptroller to transfer funds from the Race Horse Development Fund to the Community Preservation Trust Fund; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 361) of Adrian C. Madaro relative to extending simulcasting and horse racing authorization; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 362) of Adrian C. Madaro relative to regulating horse racing, simulcasting and wagering; and so much of the recommendations of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (House, No 3) as relates to further regulate horse racing (House, No. 4), reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2409).

Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to amend the Massachusetts Constitution to clarify how "fair share" funds, collected from high-income earners, must be spent. It requires that any new money allocated for these programs be added to existing budgets rather than replacing current funding levels. The change ensures that the state cannot use these specific revenues to cut other appropriations in the same fiscal year. This provision directly affects the state's budgeting process and the financial management of programs funded by the high-income tax.

By Mr. Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by proposal for constitutional amendment, House, No. 82) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr. and Susan Williams Gifford for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to prohibiting eminent domain takings. The Judiciary.

By Mr. Boldyga of Southwick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2424) of Nicholas A. Boldyga, Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr., and Michael J. Soter relative to limiting the emergency powers of the Governor. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Mr. Dooley of Norfolk, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3783) of Shawn Dooley and others for an investigation by a special commission relative to election integrity. Election Laws.