Sen. Jo Comerford

Senate, January 8, 2026 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill improving campaign finance reporting by state ballot question committees (Senate, No. 507),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2898).

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 174) of John J. Cronin for legislation to improve management of business improvement districts. Community Development and Small Businesses.

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1650) of Joanne M. Comerford, Mindy Domb, Jason M. Lewis and James B. Eldridge for legislation to create a Municipal and Public Safety Building Authority. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 531) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Michael J. Barrett, Joanne M. Comerford, Erika Uyterhoeven and others for legislation to provide a local option for ranked choice voting in municipal elections. Election Laws.

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 507) of Sal N. DiDomenico, John F. Keenan, Bruce E. Tarr, Paul W. Mark and others for legislation to improve campaign finance reporting by state ballot question committees. Election Laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a year-round healthy incentives program in Massachusetts for SNAP (food assistance) recipients. It provides matching benefits on EBT cards when recipients buy fresh, canned, dried, or frozen fruits and vegetables at participating vendors. The program prioritizes expanding access in underserved areas with limited produce availability and requires collaboration with local food coalitions for outreach. A dedicated "Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Fund" will manage program funding from state and federal sources, and the department must submit annual reports tracking participant demographics, vendor locations, and efforts to improve access in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryHD 1043 establishes Massachusetts' Farm to School Program to connect schools with local food producers. It directly affects K-12 schools and licensed childcare programs participating in federal meal programs (National School Lunch Program or Child and Adult Care Feeding Program) across Massachusetts. The bill creates two key mechanisms: (1) a grant program funding kitchen equipment, staff training, and food literacy curriculum, and (2) a reimbursement incentive that pays schools $1 for every $2 spent on Massachusetts-grown food or $1 for every $3 on New England/New York regional food. The program also sets up an advisory committee and a dedicated fund to manage grants and ensure equitable access for schools and socially disadvantaged producers.

By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 786) of Paul W. Mark and Manny Cruz for legislation to create a climate bank in Massachusetts. Financial Services.

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2134) of James B. Eldridge, Vanna Howard and Manny Cruz for legislation to promote the civil rights and inclusion of American Muslims in the commonwealth. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Senate, November 24, 2025 -- The committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2155) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Lindsay N. Sabadosa, James B. Eldridge and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to establish a permanent commission on the status of transgender people to conduct an ongoing study of all matters concerning transgender people, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2725).