Rep. Angelo D'Emilia

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Lobstering Closure Mitigation Fund to provide financial assistance to Massachusetts lobstermen affected by fishing area closures designed to protect endangered marine species. Administered by the Department of Unemployment Assistance, the fund offers eligible lobstermen weekly payments of one dollar per active trap from February 1 through July 30 each year. The legislation creates a dedicated account for these funds, outlines annual reporting requirements for income and expenditures, and authorizes the department to create regulations for application and payment processes.

The committee on Agriculture to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 552) of Patrick M. O'Connor, Jennifer Balinsky Armini, Julian Cyr, Bruce E. Tarr and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to lobstering closure mitigation, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2534).

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Raynham to issue two additional licenses for selling alcohol to-go at specific locations within designated development zones. The new licenses are restricted to one business at 748 New State Highway and one on Broadway between Interstate-495 and Center Street, and they must be clearly marked as restricted. Unlike standard licenses, these permits cannot be transferred to a different address, and the town can only reissue them to new applicants if the previous license was returned to the authority. The act also requires that all taxes and fees be paid in good standing before a new applicant can receive a license under these specific conditions.

Senate, October 30, 2023 -- The committee on Health Care Financing, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 732) of John J. Cronin for legislation to promote comprehensive transparency in the pharmaceutical industry; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 749) of Cindy F. Friedman, Rebecca L. Rausch, Susannah M. Whipps, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparency; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 767) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to define modest meals and refreshments in prescriber education settings; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 778) of Paul W. Mark for legislation to bring down the cost of prescription drugs; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 783) of Mark C. Montigny and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to promote transparency and prevent price gouging of pharmaceutical drug prices; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 784) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation relative to coverage for chronic illness; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 797) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to bring down the cost of prescription drugs; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 619) of Nicholas A. Boldyga relative to establishing a prescription drug rebate program for seniors; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1176) of Edward F. Coppinger and others relative to promoting comprehensive transparency in the pharmaceutical industry; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1201) of Kate Hogan relative to the pricing of prescription drugs; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1205) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others that the Health Policy Commission and health insurers create listings of certain high cost prescription drugs and that the Attorney General require drug manufacturers to provide information to justify increases in costs; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1206) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to contracts between the MassHealth program and pharmaceutical benefit managers; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1215) of John J. Lawn, Jr., and others relative to pharmacy benefit managers; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1246) of William M. Straus relative to drug prices paid by carriers; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1247) of Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida, Michael J. Soter and David F. DeCoste relative to pharmacy benefit managers reimbursements to pharmacies in the Commonwealth, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2492).

By Representative Soter of Bellingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2954) of Michael J. Soter and others relative to property taxes for 100% disabled veterans. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special commission to examine the contracts between MassHealth, the state's health insurance program for low-income residents, and pharmaceutical benefit managers. The commission will evaluate whether MassHealth should switch from its current drug purchasing model to a pass-through model, which would allow pharmacies to negotiate prices directly with drug manufacturers. The ten-member panel includes state officials, legislative leaders, and representatives appointed by the governor to advocate for both pharmaceutical benefit managers and pharmacies. Within one year of the bill's passage, the commission must submit its findings and any proposed legislation to relevant state committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts' MassHealth program and large health insurers to annually publish lists of prescription drugs that have seen significant price increases, specifically those with costs rising by 50% over five years or 15% in the last year. The Attorney General will then select up to 15 of the most expensive drugs from these lists and mandate that manufacturers provide detailed documentation justifying the price hikes. Additionally, the bill establishes a regulatory framework with penalties for non-compliance and requires the Attorney General to report findings to the legislature each December.