Rep. David DeCoste

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legislative commission to study small modular reactors (SMRs) as a potential baseload power source. The commission will specifically examine how SMRs can work with renewable energy to improve grid stability, and evaluate non-light water coolants for safety and operational effects. The commission includes key energy committee chairs, legislative leaders, and state agency heads, and must submit a report within one year of the bill's passage. The bill itself creates no new regulations or funding but directs a formal study to inform future energy policy decisions.

By Representative Pease of Westfield, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kelly W. Pease, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. relative to lithium battery storage facilities. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

By Representative Pease of Westfield, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kelly W. Pease and Lindsay N. Sabadosa for legislation to establish buffer zones for battery storage facilities. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Bruce E. Tarr, Ryan C. Fattman, Patrick M. O'Connor, Peter J. Durant and others for legislation to prevent false impersonation of a federal official. The Judiciary.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Plymouth County Retirement System to count Judy Hartigan's service as Rockland Town Collector (from April 2009 onward) toward her retirement benefits. It requires Hartigan to repay the retirement contributions she would have paid during that period, plus interest, before her retirement allowance takes effect. The bill directly affects only Hartigan and modifies her specific retirement calculation under existing law, with no broader policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 3040) authorizes the Plymouth County Retirement System to count David Osborne's past service with the Town of Norwell (July 1, 2008, to present) toward his retirement benefits. It requires Osborne to pay back the retirement contributions he would have made during that period, plus interest, before his retirement allowance becomes effective. The bill directly affects only David Osborne and is a specific procedural adjustment for his individual retirement eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Section 94B of Chapter 32 in the General Laws to add "explosive device canine handlers and bomb technicians" to the list of eligible individuals for disability and death benefits. It directly affects these specific public safety professionals who work with explosive devices. The key mechanism is a simple statutory update expanding the current eligibility criteria within an existing benefits program. The change does not create new benefits but extends existing ones to cover these roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a law that generally restricts hunting mammals on Sundays. It adds an exception specifically for deer hunting during officially designated open deer hunting seasons. The change directly affects deer hunters who can now legally hunt deer on Sundays when the season is open. This is a straightforward policy adjustment to the existing hunting regulations, clarifying that deer hunting during season is permitted on Sundays. The bill does not change the season dates or general hunting rules, only the Sunday restriction for deer.

Maddy summaryHD 733 establishes a Retired Police Dog Care Fund within Massachusetts' executive office of public safety. The fund, administered by the Secretary of Public Safety, receives state appropriations, grants, gifts, and investment income, with unspent balances carrying over annually. It provides grants to nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts to cover medical and care expenses for retired police dogs, as defined in existing law. The Secretary must annually report fund activity, including funding sources and expenditures, to relevant state committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new bereavement leave policy for employees in the Commonwealth, allowing workers to take up to 10 business days of paid leave when a family member dies. The law defines family members broadly to include children, parents, spouses, domestic partners, and others with significant personal bonds, and permits leave to be used for funeral arrangements, attending services, or grieving. Employers must pay employees at their regular rate during this leave, maintain their benefits, and restore their position upon return, though businesses with fewer than 25 employees are exempt. The legislation also requires employers to notify staff of these rights and allows for reasonable documentation of the death, with the law taking effect on January 1, 2027.