Rep. Natalie Higgins

Maddy summaryHD 1503 establishes minimum drinking water standards for private wells used by households in Massachusetts. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create regulations ensuring private wells meet public drinking water standards, directly affecting homeowners relying on private wells for drinking water. Key provisions include authorizing certified well drillers to work on these wells, exempting certain family property transfers from inspections, and creating a program to provide loan guarantees and interest subsidies for homeowners installing treatment systems to fix wells that fail to meet DEP standards. Local health boards and the DEP share enforcement authority for these new standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill gradually increases retirement benefits for public employees by adjusting the percentage of Social Security benefits they receive, starting at 65% (replacing a fixed $18,000 amount) and rising to 100% over multiple years. It also prevents future health premium increases from affecting retirees who retired before such changes take effect, and caps out-of-pocket health costs at $2,500 for individual coverage and $5,000 for family coverage for retirees over 65 not eligible for Medicare. The changes take effect between 2025 and 2043, with specific provisions phasing in over time. The bill directly affects retired public employees in the state, particularly regarding their pension calculations and health insurance costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that civil service employees (such as government workers in non-political roles) cannot share information with law enforcement if doing so would violate Section 11I½ of Chapter 12. It specifically amends Section 75 of the General Laws to state that no interpretation of that section permits information-sharing or cooperation with police that contravenes Section 11I½. The bill directly affects civil service employees who might otherwise be asked by law enforcement for information. It does not create new rules but explicitly prevents civil service employees from bypassing existing restrictions under Section 11I½.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to address crumbling concrete foundations caused by minerals like pyrrhotite or framboidal pyrite, which can lead to structural damage. It requires home inspectors to inform potential buyers about the risk of these minerals in foundations and mandates concrete manufacturers to test and report on their materials. A Crumbling Concrete Assistance Fund, financed by penalties from insurance companies that denied foundation repair claims (2000-2025) and a 3% annual tax on insurance profits, will provide tax-exempt financial assistance for repairs. Homeowners with affected foundations can apply for help through a new relief agency, which will also provide public information and manage fund eligibility.

Maddy summaryHD 754 creates a Crumbling Concrete Assistance Fund to help homeowners repair or replace residential foundations damaged by pyrite or pyrrhotite. The fund, managed by the Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, provides financial assistance for repairs, reimburses homeowners who already paid for fixes (up to the fund amount), and exempts these repairs from property taxes. It is funded through state appropriations, federal programs (like HUD's Section 108), private donations, and interest, with annual reports required to the legislature. A stakeholder working group must also develop long-term solutions by February 2026, including potential funding models like insurance surcharges. This directly affects Massachusetts homeowners with deteriorating foundations and aims to reduce municipal fiscal strain.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires home care agencies providing state-funded home care services to enter into labor peace agreements with labor organizations representing their workers, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery. Agencies must submit regular attestations to the Department of Elder Affairs detailing their labor relations status, including whether agreements exist, negotiations are underway, or no union representation is sought. Failure to comply may result in contract termination and a four-year ban on future state contracts for repeated violations. The policy directly affects home care agencies, workers, and the state's home care program participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits force-feeding birds to enlarge their livers beyond normal size and bans the sale of products derived from such practices. It defines "force feeding" as methods like tube-feeding that cause birds to consume excessive food, and redefines "poultry" to include domesticated birds like ducks and geese. The law specifically bans force-feeding birds for liver enlargement (Section 4) and prohibits selling products made from force-fed birds (Section 5). It directly affects poultry producers and businesses involved in products like foie gras, which relies on this practice. The bill clarifies legal definitions to enforce these restrictions without using technical jargon.

Maddy summaryHD 2707 creates the "Nature for All Fund" to finance nature-based climate and conservation projects across Massachusetts. The fund, financed by specific sales tax revenues (codes 459110, 441210, and 713910), will support parks, trails, water protection, farm/forest conservation, and indigenous land access - prioritizing underserved communities and environmental justice areas. It establishes a 15-member board to oversee spending, requiring annual reports on funds directed to environmental justice populations. The fund will supplement, not replace, existing conservation programs and may issue bonds secured solely by its revenues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts' public pension funds to review and reduce investments in climate risk assets, including fossil fuels and certain biofuels, to protect beneficiaries and taxpayers. It establishes a 12-member Climate Risk Investment Review Committee within the state treasurer's office to study climate-related financial risks and develop a divestment plan. The committee must create a plan to sell or withdraw from all climate risk investments by January 1, 2026, and report annually to the governor and legislature. The law directly affects the state's pension reserves, which manage retirement funds for public employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 2328) requires all acute-care hospitals and nursing homes in Massachusetts to include a registered nurse (RN) with a current, active license as a voting member on their governing board. The RN must help develop the organization's strategic plan, structure, systems, policies, and programs. It directly affects hospital and nursing home governance by mandating RN representation on boards that make key operational decisions. The requirement applies to all facilities meeting the definitions in the law, ensuring nurse input in leadership planning.