By Representative Hogan of Stow and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2197) of Kate Hogan, Julian Cyr and others for legislation to protect public health from PFAS. Public Health.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts residents and local governments address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water, groundwater, and soil. The fund is designed to cover remediation costs for municipalities, private well owners, and public water systems without requiring additional annual appropriations from the state budget. Money for the fund will come from settlements related to claims against manufacturers of PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam, and any unused funds at the end of a fiscal year will roll over to the next year. The executive office of energy and environmental affairs is responsible for administering the fund and ensuring expenditures align with existing legal settlements.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require that individuals using pesticides containing the herbicide glyphosate must hold a valid license or permit issued by the state department. It applies to both agricultural and non-agricultural uses on any land, meaning homeowners and other non-farmers would need certification to apply these products. Additionally, the legislation mandates that retailers verify a customer's license before selling or supplying glyphosate-containing pesticides and requires these sales to occur on the business premises. Businesses wishing to sell these products must register with the department, pay an annual fee of up to $25, and adhere to specific terms set by the department.
Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to increase democratic representation and geographic diversity. It changes the board's composition to include specific representatives from teachers' unions, school committees, labor organizations, and parents, while requiring eight additional members to be nominated by the governor and confirmed by the state legislature. The legislation also mandates that board members reside in different income-based districts to ensure a broader range of community voices are heard. Furthermore, it limits the number of members who can work for the state or be affiliated with higher education institutions to prevent conflicts of interest. Finally, the bill includes provisions that would vacate current board members' terms and establish new appointment rules effective one year after passage.
By Representatives Khan of Newton and Santiago of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2210) of Kay Khan, Jon Santiago and others relative to prohibiting the marketing of certain drinks with added sugar on school grounds. Public Health.
By Representatives Ciccolo of Lexington and Lewis of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2737) of Michelle L. Ciccolo, Jack Patrick Lewis and others for legislation to authorize cities and towns to impose tax surcharges on single subjects of taxation and to establish local and regional transportation ballot initiatives. Revenue.
By Representative Livingstone of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2231) of Jay D. Livingstone and others for legislation to require the disclosure of lead in water pipes. Public Health.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to how members of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education are appointed. It requires the governor to select nine specific representatives from labor organizations, business and industry, parents, teachers, and school committees based on nominations from these groups. The remaining four seats on the board would still be filled by the governor without specific group requirements. These changes aim to ensure that the board includes designated voices from various sectors of the education community.
By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton and Senator Mark, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2264) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Paul W. Mark and others that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services establish a grant program to increase the availability of non-law-enforcement, unarmed community-based response options for emergency calls. Public Health.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Governor of Massachusetts to issue an annual proclamation designating March 10 as COVID-19 Remembrance Day. The legislation aims to honor individuals who died or were affected by the virus, while also recognizing the contributions of first responders, caregivers, and researchers. It further encourages the public to observe the day in a meaningful way and suggests using the occasion to reflect on public health preparedness.
