March , 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 256) of John J. Cronin, Manny Cruz and John Barrett, III for legislation to create and expand student pathways to success; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 274) of Paul R. Feeney, Jacob R. Oliveira, Adam Scanlon, Susan Williams Gifford and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve access, opportunity, and capacity in Massachusetts vocational-technical education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 297) of Edward J. Kennedy and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 306) of Jason M. Lewis, Michael O. Moore, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation relative increase student access to career technical education schools and programs which are aligned with regional labor market needs; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 334) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Jeffrey N. Roy and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to expand high school student access to earn industry recognized credentials; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 361) of John C. Velis for legislation to expand high school student access to earn industry recognized credentials; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 362) of John C. Velis and Kelly W. Pease for legislation to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2664).
Sen. Julian Cyr
Sponsored bills
By Representative Peake of Provincetown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2914) of Sarah K. Peake (by vote of the town) relative to expanding the exemption for residential property in the town of Wellfleet. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state to reimburse the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund for any lost revenue resulting from discounted or free fishing and hunting licenses. By amending existing state law, it ensures that the fund receives annual payments from the general fund to cover these specific financial shortfalls. The measure directly impacts the state's budget for wildlife conservation and affects the funding available for inland fisheries and game management programs.
By Representative Hogan of Stow and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2197) of Kate Hogan, Julian Cyr and others for legislation to protect public health from PFAS. Public Health.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts residents and local governments address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water, groundwater, and soil. The fund is designed to cover remediation costs for municipalities, private well owners, and public water systems without requiring additional annual appropriations from the state budget. Money for the fund will come from settlements related to claims against manufacturers of PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam, and any unused funds at the end of a fiscal year will roll over to the next year. The executive office of energy and environmental affairs is responsible for administering the fund and ensuring expenditures align with existing legal settlements.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits all new offshore oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production in Massachusetts state waters and bans related onshore support activities. It prevents state officials from issuing permits, leases, or approvals for such projects and forbids the state from participating in federal programs that would allow drilling in coastal areas. The law allows for the repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure to ensure safety but does not permit any new drilling operations or expansion of current facilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts General Laws to clarify the role of the Pesticide Board in advising the Commissioner of Food and Agriculture. It specifically requires the Commissioner to consult with the Commissioners of Environmental Protection and Public Health when making decisions about protecting drinking water sources from pesticide contamination. The change ensures that these three agencies work together to safeguard groundwater, directly impacting how pesticide-related environmental risks are managed. By formalizing this consultation process, the legislation aims to improve coordination among state agencies responsible for environmental and public health safety.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to explicitly include "recreation" as a permitted use for private tidelands. It defines recreation broadly to cover activities such as relaxation, exercise, and watersports. By adding these terms to the legal definition, the legislation clarifies that private landowners may allow these specific recreational uses on their tidal properties.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to direct 1.5% of the state's room occupancy tax revenue from the previous fiscal year toward promoting jobs and economic growth in the tourism, visitation, and hospitality sectors. The change affects the state's budgeting process by creating a specific funding stream derived from taxes paid by hotel guests to support these industries. By modifying Section 13T of Chapter 23A, the legislation establishes a mechanism to allocate a portion of existing tax collections for economic development initiatives in the hospitality field.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts business corporations to claim a tax deduction for earnings derived from selling company stock to an employee stock ownership plan. The provision specifically applies to private companies with fewer than 500 employees that are selling at least 49 percent of their outstanding shares to employees. To qualify for this tax benefit, the business must be the official sponsor of the employee stock ownership plan. By reducing the taxable income associated with these stock sales, the legislation aims to provide a financial incentive for businesses to transition toward employee ownership models.