Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts to designate at least 30% of its Wildlife Management Area lands as "Reserves" by January 1, 2030, maintaining this percentage as new lands are acquired. Reserves must be selected based on ecological criteria like old-growth forests, contiguous habitats, wetlands, and carbon storage capacity, and will be managed to preserve natural conditions with minimal human intervention. A new Scientific Advisory Council of eight environmental experts will oversee Reserve designations, submit biennial reports to the governor, and advise on management, while prohibiting new commercial infrastructure like solar farms, pipelines, or cell towers in Reserves (except for limited public facility upgrades with minimal environmental impact). The bill defines Reserves as protected areas for scientific research, habitat conservation, and carbon storage, banning resource extraction except for specific management needs like erosion control or invasive species removal.
Sen. Vanna Howard
Sponsored bills
Senate, March 9, 2026 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 965) of Julian Cyr for legislation to promote fair housing by preventing discrimination against affordable housing, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2980).
Maddy summarySD 811 amends Massachusetts law to prohibit discriminatory land use practices that limit affordable housing access. It directly affects local and state government bodies (like zoning boards and housing authorities) by banning policies or decisions that exclude housing for families with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income, families needing more bedrooms, or people based on protected characteristics like race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The law allows individuals or the Attorney General to sue for violations, seeking court orders, damages (including punitive damages for intentional discrimination), and recovery of legal fees. It includes limited exceptions where governments prove their actions were necessary for a substantial, legitimate purpose and no less discriminatory alternative existed.
Maddy summaryHD 623 requires insurance companies to cover at least 30 days of in-patient treatment for substance abuse disorders, increasing the current minimum from 14 days. The bill directly affects individuals seeking substance abuse treatment and insurance providers operating under Massachusetts law. It amends multiple sections of the state’s insurance statutes (including chapters 32A, 118E, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G) to replace the figure "14" with "30" in coverage requirements. This is a concrete policy change to expand mandated treatment duration, without altering other insurance terms or creating new programs.
Maddy summaryHD 2560 requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover hearing aids and related services. It directly affects Commonwealth employees and retirees, their children under 26 (or with disabilities), Medicaid beneficiaries, and all insured individuals under group or individual health plans. The bill mandates coverage for hearing aid exams, fittings, adjustments, and supplies (like ear molds) without requiring a prescription for those 18 or older, and prohibits stricter cost-sharing than other health benefits. This applies to group insurance, Medicaid, accident/sickness policies, and hospital service plans, ensuring consistent access to hearing aid coverage across multiple insurance types.
By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 225) of Lydia Edwards and John F. Keenan for legislation to eliminate "grab-and-go" alcohol sales at large events. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
Maddy summaryHD 3259 amends Massachusetts' Taxpayer Protection Act to clarify and strengthen oversight of government contracts with private companies. It defines "privatization contract" as agreements for services valued at $500,000 or more (adjusted annually for inflation), excluding certain IT contracts with union agreements and professional service agreements. The bill requires agencies to cover increased costs for residents if privatized services become more expensive, bans revenue-based payments (like tuition sharing), and mandates state auditor reviews before renewing such contracts. This directly affects Massachusetts government agencies, school districts, transportation authorities, and private contractors providing services valued above the threshold.
Maddy summaryHD 1883 prohibits state-regulated gas and electric utilities from charging customers for specific expenses through their utility rates. It bans companies from recovering costs related to political advertising, lobbying, trade association memberships, charitable donations, executive travel, or promotional campaigns that encourage service use. Utilities must submit annual reports detailing these prohibited expenses and face penalties - including customer refunds with interest - if they improperly charge rates. This directly affects utility customers by preventing them from paying for these non-essential corporate activities.
By Representative Puppolo of Springfield, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., and others for the issuance of an annual proclamation by the Governor to designate May 2 as veterinary youth day. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates advertising rules for justices of the peace in Massachusetts. It modernizes the language by replacing "his" with "their" for gender neutrality, adding "email address" to required contact details, and expanding permitted advertising channels to include digital platforms like social media, websites, and email. The changes directly affect justices of the peace who advertise their services, ensuring their public notices meet current communication standards. The bill makes no new policy requirements but aligns existing rules with contemporary media practices.