Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to choose whether to use ranked choice voting for their local elections. Under the new rules, voters would rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting just one, and votes would be counted in rounds where ballots for eliminated candidates are transferred to the voter's next choice. Municipalities that wish to adopt this system must pass a local ordinance detailing specific rules for counting votes and resolving ties, while the state law removes the requirement to mark ballots with a cross. The legislation also ensures that a voter's lower-ranked choices do not affect the election outcome of their higher-ranked candidates.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows eligible citizens in Massachusetts to register to vote and cast their ballots on the same day by appearing in person at a polling place or early voting site. To qualify, individuals must present proof of residence, such as a driver's license or a utility bill, and sign an affidavit confirming their citizenship and age. Once registered on the spot, voters can immediately participate in the election and will remain on the voter rolls for all future primaries and elections. The law also permits those who cannot provide immediate proof of residence to submit a provisional ballot, provided they submit the required documentation within two business days after the primary or six days after the general election. Additionally, the bill restricts voters from changing their party affiliation at the time of same-day registration and mandates investigations into allegations of illegal registration or multiple voting.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to how boards of registrars of voters are formed in Massachusetts, aiming to ensure balanced representation among the two major political parties and unaffiliated voters. It requires that appointments be made from lists submitted by local party committees, with strict limits preventing more than two members from sharing the same political affiliation or unenrolled status. Additionally, the legislation allows cities and towns to replace their current registrar boards with new election commissioner boards consisting of four members, who would assume the same election duties under a different organizational structure. These reforms apply to both existing registrar boards and any new election commissioner boards created under the new rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Massachusetts calculates assets for seniors aged 65 and older who apply for state assistance programs. It clarifies that money moved into a special needs trust for these individuals counts as a resource only when the trust is actually used to buy goods or services for the person. By defining this specific type of transfer as a fair market value disposal, the law ensures that funds in the trust are treated correctly during eligibility reviews without changing the trust's protective purpose. The change directly impacts elderly residents and the state agencies that determine their access to public benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an Energy Facilities Siting Board within the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to oversee the approval of major energy projects. The board will evaluate the environmental and public health impacts of transmission lines, gas pipelines, storage facilities, and oil facilities while considering costs and local resident wellbeing. For generating facilities like power plants, the board will focus solely on environmental impacts, leaving market forces to determine the need and cost. The legislation also requires the board to consult with the Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Public Health when specific environmental or health concerns are raised.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes local towns in Massachusetts to create a property tax exemption specifically for senior citizens. To qualify, an applicant must be at least 65 years old, have lived in the home for at least 10 years, and have previously received the state's senior circuit breaker income tax credit. The amount of the tax break would be determined annually by local assessors and would range from half to twice the value of the senior circuit breaker credit the person received. Local officials would review applications based on income and assets, and the total cost of these exemptions would be funded by adjusting the overall residential tax levy.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts procurement rules to require government officials to obtain written quotes from at least three vendors for purchases between $10,000 and $100,000. It mandates that contracts for these amounts be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder unless a specific exception applies. Additionally, the legislation raises the monetary thresholds for various existing procurement exemptions from $50,000 to $100,000. These changes apply to all state agencies and departments handling public supplies and services within the specified dollar range.

Senate, July 11, 2024 -- Text of amendment (34) (offered by Senator Comerford) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 2856) to the Senate Bill relative to economic development

Senate, July 11, 2024 -- Text of amendment (351) (offered by Senator Lewis) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 2856) to the Senate Bill relative to economic development

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new grant program to support the recruitment and retention of primary care staff at community health centers across Massachusetts. The initiative provides loan repayment assistance to eligible clinicians and bachelor's degree-level mental health or primary care professionals, with a specific focus on increasing workforce diversity. To qualify, individuals must have outstanding educational debt, work full-time at a community health center, and commit to a four-year contract with the state. The program is administered by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and will be funded using existing state reserves for behavioral health and primary care.