Rep. Manny Cruz

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state grant program to address student food insecurity at public colleges and universities. It creates a Hunger-Free Campus Trust Fund to provide funding for institutions meeting specific requirements, such as having campus staff for food assistance access, accepting federal nutrition benefits at on-campus vendors, and implementing meal credit sharing programs. Institutions must meet income-based criteria for grant levels and report on program activities annually. The program director will develop guidelines, and participating institutions must report on student engagement and outcomes to state officials.

Senate, June 23, 2025 -- The committee on Higher Education to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 939) of Joan B. Lovely, Joanne M. Comerford, Michael D. Brady, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish the hunger-free campus initiative that would provide grants to institutions of public higher education to address student food insecurity and hunger, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2535).

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to regulate the state's legal cannabis industry. The commission, composed of three governor-appointed commissioners with expertise in public health or cannabis regulation, will oversee licensing, enforcement, and policy implementation for cannabis businesses. Commissioners must be state residents, avoid political office, and follow strict ethical rules prohibiting conflicts of interest with licensed businesses. The commission will operate as a state agency with defined procedures for meetings, decision-making, and financial management.

Maddy summaryH 4187 creates a new Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to oversee the state's cannabis regulatory framework. The commission will consist of three appointed commissioners (one full-time chair and two part-time members), requiring gubernatorial appointment with background checks, no felony convictions, and expertise in areas like public health or cannabis regulation. Commissioners must be Massachusetts residents, avoid conflicts of interest (e.g., holding elected office), and serve limited terms (max 8 years total). This bill establishes the governance structure for future cannabis rulemaking but does not change current cannabis laws or licensing rules.

By Representative Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 148) of Manny Cruz relative to the cannabis employment process. Cannabis Policy.

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 197) of Cynthia Stone Creem, Rebecca L. Rausch, Michael O. Moore, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect reproductive health access, LGBTQ lives, religious liberty, and freedom of movement by banning the sale of cell phone location information. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Maddy summaryHD 2757 creates a new Municipal Education Fund to provide targeted state aid to public school districts. The fund specifically supports minimum aid communities, below-effort districts, gateway cities, rural districts, and schools serving many high-need students. It revises how local education funding is calculated by establishing new percentage caps (82.5% to 88.5%) for a municipality's required local contribution based on their combined effort yield relative to school costs. The bill also mandates an annual report on fund use and establishes a special commission to review the entire school funding formula, including how effort yields and local contributions are determined.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SD 1991) is a proposal to amend the state constitution to address campaign finance reform. It does not specify concrete changes like contribution limits or disclosure rules, only stating the intent to reform campaign finance through a constitutional amendment. The proposal would directly affect candidates, political committees, and voters by potentially altering how election funding operates under constitutional authority. As a constitutional amendment proposal, it requires voter approval rather than becoming law through the usual legislative process. The official abstract provides no details on specific mechanisms or provisions.

By Representative Cruz of Salem, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Manny Cruz that the South Essex Sewerage District shall pay to the city of Salem an annual payment in lieu of taxes for all lands. Environment and Natural Resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the city of Salem to expand its on-premises alcohol licenses to include all types of alcoholic beverages, not just wine and malt drinks. If a business owner chooses to convert their existing license to cover all alcohol, they may be required to pay a fee, which the city can either collect in one lump sum or allow them to pay over time. Any fees collected that exceed the standard renewal cost for similar licenses will be placed into the city's economic development fund to support local growth. The law becomes effective immediately upon passing.