Sen. Becca Rausch

Senate, May 20, 2025 -- Text of amendment (541) (offered by Senator Friedman) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 3) to the House Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the Commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements.

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 29) of Cynthia Stone Creem, Rebecca L. Rausch, Joanne M. Comerford, James B. Eldridge and other members of the Senate for legislation to establish the Massachusetts Data Privacy Protection Act. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 197) of Cynthia Stone Creem, Rebecca L. Rausch, Michael O. Moore, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect reproductive health access, LGBTQ lives, religious liberty, and freedom of movement by banning the sale of cell phone location information. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 45) of Michael O. Moore, Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, James B. Eldridge and others for legislation to establish the Massachusetts Data Privacy Protection Act. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Wrentham to issue seven new licenses for establishments to sell and serve alcohol on the premises. The licenses are restricted to specific development zones, including Village Zone A, Village Zone B, and the Stonewall Boulevard area, and must be issued within three years of the law taking effect. To maintain control over these new permits, the town cannot transfer a license outside its original zone, and any new applicant must prove they have paid all required taxes and fees. The act also requires that licenses be returned to the town if they are cancelled or not renewed, ensuring the total number of these specific permits remains at seven.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the town charter of Bellingham to establish a formal set of rules for its local government. It creates a home rule charter that grants the town broad powers to manage its own affairs while defining how legislative, executive, and administrative functions are divided. Key provisions include setting up a town meeting as the primary legislative body, establishing a finance committee to review budgets, and outlining specific procedures for calling meetings and submitting new topics for voter consideration. The document also provides clear definitions for terms like "voters," "town agency," and "majority vote" to ensure consistent application of the new rules. Overall, the bill formalizes the structure and operations of the town's government without changing the fundamental nature of its elected officials.

By Representatives Kushmerek of Fitchburg and Diggs of Barnstable, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3075) of Michael P. Kushmerek, Kip A. Diggs and others for the issuance of an annual proclamation by the Governor to designate the fourth of February as Rosa Parks day. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

By Representative Vaughn of Wrentham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4237) of Marcus S. Vaughn and Rebecca L. Rausch (by vote of the town) for legislation to amend the charter of the town of Wrentham. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Franklin to use alternative methods for publishing legal notices regarding public hearings, rather than strictly following standard statewide requirements. Under the new rules, the town can post notices on a bulletin board outside the town clerk's office and publish them on its official website, in addition to or instead of using a local newspaper. The legislation applies specifically to the Town of Franklin and allows flexibility in how the community is informed about upcoming meetings.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes all police positions in the town of Bellingham from the state's civil service system. By exempting these roles from Chapter 31 of the General Laws, the town gains the authority to hire and manage its police officers without adhering to standard civil service rules. The legislation also ensures that any current police officers retain their existing civil service protections when the law takes effect.