Rep. Russell Holmes

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts law governing transportation network companies (like Uber and Lyft). It requires these companies to report monthly ride data by city/town and charge riders a 6.25% assessment on pre-arranged rides (excluding rides booked through public transit programs for eligible riders). Municipalities may impose a $2.25 congestion fee per ride, with funds dedicated to public transit, bike/pedestrian projects, and EV charging infrastructure. The law also mandates clear fare estimates showing surge pricing and shared vs. single-ride costs, while prohibiting local governments from imposing extra licensing requirements on these companies.

Maddy summaryHD 2226 prohibits real estate landlords and their agents from using third-party services that algorithmically set rents or coordinate rent increases among landlords. It bans service providers from collecting rental data, analyzing it with algorithms, or recommending pricing terms to landlords, and prevents them from facilitating non-competition agreements between landlords. Violations are treated as unfair competition under existing antitrust laws, allowing tenants to pursue class-action lawsuits in court instead of being forced into arbitration. Successful plaintiffs can recover damages, interest, and legal costs, with the law explicitly invalidating pre-dispute arbitration agreements for these cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new state study groups to address barriers in banking and insurance access for underserved small businesses. The Banking Access Working Group (Section 70) will analyze current programs, study other states' approaches, and recommend policies to improve access for microbusinesses and small businesses, particularly those facing racial, gender, or economic disparities. The Commercial Insurance Special Commission (Section 71) will conduct similar reviews focused specifically on commercial insurance access. Both groups, composed of diverse business owners, community leaders, and state agency representatives, must submit recommendations to the legislature by June 2026. The bill does not create new funding or regulations but aims to identify policy changes that could help small businesses better connect with financial services.

Maddy summaryHD 1757 creates a special commission to study transferring Massachusetts' Department of Correction (DOC) and Parole Board from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The bill cites historical context (DOC was under Health and Human Services before 1991), current issues like 70% of DOC's budget going to labor instead of rehabilitation programs, and reports of unmet mental health care standards. The commission will examine legal implications, potential impacts on services and recidivism, fiscal effects, and practices in other states. It must hold public hearings and submit a report with recommendations by December 2026, but the bill itself does not enact the transfer - it only authorizes the study.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes state agency oversight by moving the Department of Correction (including the Parole Board) from the Executive Office of Public Safety into the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. It amends multiple sections of state law to replace "public safety" with "health and human services" in agency designations, affecting how these departments are administratively structured. The change does not alter the services provided by these agencies but shifts their reporting lines and leadership under a new umbrella office focused on health and human services. This is a structural reorganization, not a policy change to correctional or parole procedures.

Maddy summaryHD 1883 prohibits state-regulated gas and electric utilities from charging customers for specific expenses through their utility rates. It bans companies from recovering costs related to political advertising, lobbying, trade association memberships, charitable donations, executive travel, or promotional campaigns that encourage service use. Utilities must submit annual reports detailing these prohibited expenses and face penalties - including customer refunds with interest - if they improperly charge rates. This directly affects utility customers by preventing them from paying for these non-essential corporate activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated fund called the "YMCA’s Youth & Government Fund" to support the YMCA's Youth & Government program in Massachusetts. It allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to this fund by checking a box on their state income tax return, either as part of a refund or by adding to the amount they owe. The state treasurer will manage the fund, investing contributions to earn interest while keeping funds accessible for immediate use, with unspent money carrying over to future years instead of returning to the general state budget. The program directly benefits youth participants in the YMCA's civic education initiative through this new funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 4861) specifically waives the Boston Police Department's standard maximum age requirement for one individual, Jose Ortiz, allowing him to be considered for a police officer position. If Ortiz meets all other department requirements (such as physical fitness, background checks, and training), the city must certify his name for appointment. The bill directly affects only Jose Ortiz and takes immediate effect upon passage. It is a personal, non-general bill with no broader policy implications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all schools (including public, charter, and non-public) and child care centers serving pre-K through 12th grade to annually test every drinking water outlet for lead. If lead levels exceed one part per billion, schools must immediately shut off affected outlets, install certified point-of-use filters within 18 months, replace water fountains with filtered stations (one per 75 students), and maintain ongoing testing. Schools must also publicly report test results, remediation plans, and notify parents and staff of any elevated lead findings. The law directly affects all K-12 schools and child care centers in the state, mandating concrete actions to ensure safe drinking water.

Maddy summaryH 5126 would require courts to assess probationers for substance use disorders and order treatment instead of jail time for relapse. It mandates individualized treatment plans using licensed providers or evidence-based practices (like medication-assisted therapy), with courts reviewing provider reports on progress. Probationers who complete treatment but relapse may receive additional treatment rather than incarceration. The bill preserves courts' authority to use other probation sanctions for public safety while shifting focus from punishment to treatment for substance use issues.