Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Executive Office of Food Resources and Security within Massachusetts state government. It directly affects food producers (farmers and commercial fishers) by establishing dedicated departments to support sustainable food production, local economic development, and food security. Key provisions include organizing 8 specialized departments (like Food Production, Food Innovation, and Food Security) under a single office led by a governor-appointed secretary, and mandating the office to foster food producer growth, promote local food markets, develop nutrition programs, and advance research. The office will also manage financing for food producers, coordinate with local governments, and represent Massachusetts in federal food-related programs. The goal is to strengthen the state's ability to feed its population through locally produced food.
Sen. Bruce Tarr
Sponsored bills
By Mr. Durant, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2129) of Peter J. Durant and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to remote access for public bodies and town meetings. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1507) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Joanne M. Comerford and others for legislation relative to the pediatric palliative care program. Public Health.
Maddy summaryHD 935 requires virtual currency kiosk operators in Massachusetts to obtain a money transmitter license and register locations with the Commissioner of Banks before operating. Operators must submit quarterly location reports and provide clear, mandatory disclosures to customers, including prominent warnings about irreversible transactions, lack of government backing, scam risks (with specific examples like impersonation scams), and volatility. The bill also sets a $1,000 daily transaction limit per customer and mandates disclosure of fees, exchange rates, and policy changes. This directly affects businesses operating physical kiosks for buying/selling virtual currency in Massachusetts.
By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2136) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to convicted lobbyists and legislative agents. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 901) of Pavel M. Payano, Liz Miranda, Manny Cruz, Patricia D. Jehlen and others for legislation to advance health equity. Health Care Financing.
By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 166) of Michael O. Moore and James B. Eldridge for legislation to improve child eye care. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance carriers from denying payment for covered services solely because a patient was referred by a provider outside the carrier's network. It directly affects insurance companies (carriers) and their enrollees (patients), ensuring referrals from out-of-network doctors don't lead to denied claims. The key provision appears repeatedly across multiple chapters of health insurance law, mandating that payment decisions cannot be based on the referral source alone. The bill does not change coverage for specific treatments or alter prescription rules, focusing solely on referral-based payment denials. It applies to all health plans governed by the referenced statutes.
Maddy summaryHD 240 requires anyone using pesticides containing glyphosate to hold a valid license from the department, affecting both users (like farmers or landscapers) and retailers. The bill mandates that retailers verify a customer’s license before selling glyphosate pesticides and register their business with the department for a $25 annual fee. It prohibits unsupervised use by licensed individuals and restricts sales to licensed customers only, with specific rules for general-use pesticides. The law takes effect 12 months after passage.
Maddy summaryHD 1706 prevents landlords from evicting tenants solely due to having a pet during a state of emergency (unless the pet causes harm), and bans breed-based restrictions in housing rules, condo bylaws, and tenant screening. It limits additional rent for common household pets to 1% of monthly rent per dog or cumulatively for other pets, while exempting service animals. The bill also prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums based on dog breed, except for designated dangerous dogs. These changes apply to residential landlords, housing authorities, and insurers, aiming to reduce pet-related housing barriers.