Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts state law to change how elected officials in the town of Pembroke can be removed from office through a recall process. It extends the time residents have to gather signatures on a recall petition from fourteen days to thirty days and lowers the required number of signatures from twenty percent to ten percent of registered voters. The legislation also speeds up the timeline by requiring the town board to order a recall election within five days if the official does not resign, while simultaneously removing a rule that previously required at least forty percent voter turnout for the recall to succeed. These changes directly affect the town of Pembroke by making it easier and faster for residents to initiate and complete a recall election.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Plymouth to issue two new licenses for off-premises alcohol sales in Precincts 9 and 17. The law requires that these licenses remain within the specified precincts and mandates that applicants demonstrate they are in good standing with state tax and unemployment departments. Additionally, any existing licenses granted under this act must be clearly marked to indicate their restricted geographic area. If a license is cancelled or returned, the town retains the right to reissue it to a new applicant within the same precincts.
By Ms. Moran, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2510) of Susan L. Moran and Steven George Xiarhos (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Sandwich 5 additional liquor licenses. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. [Local Approval Received.]
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the James Ward Act, increases penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident involving recreational vehicles or snowmobiles. Under current law, leaving the scene after causing bodily injury without stopping to provide identification is punishable by up to one year in jail or a fine of $500 to $1,000. The legislation would raise the maximum jail sentence to two and a half years and increase the maximum fine to $5,000 if the accident results in a death. These changes apply specifically to operators of recreational vehicles and snowmobiles who fail to stop and exchange information after a collision that causes injury or death.
By Ms. Moran, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2810) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Susan L. Moran for legislation relative to fusion investment and research for sustainable technology. Revenue.
By Representative Cutler of Pembroke, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2492) of Josh S. Cutler and others relative to the retirement classification of certain officers employed by the Bureau of Investigation of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department. Public Service.
Maddy summaryThis bill restores retirement classification rights for specific criminal identification officers within the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department. It ensures that these employees, who were previously classified under the Plymouth County Retirement System, will retain their Group 4 status within the Massachusetts State Retirement System. The legislation applies specifically to first assistant and assistant criminal identification officers who worked before the sheriff's department was transferred to state control. By overriding conflicting state laws, the bill guarantees these workers keep their original retirement benefits rather than being moved to a different tier.
By Ms. Moran, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2808) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Susan L. Moran, Patrick M. O'Connor and Kathleen R. LaNatra for legislation relative to retirement benefits for Joseph Suppa. Public Service.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state fund to provide annual funding of at least $150 million to regional transit authorities across Massachusetts. The money will come from a portion of the surcharges currently collected from transportation network companies, such as ride-sharing services. The funding amount will automatically adjust each year based on inflation and cannot increase by more than three percent compared to the previous year. Additionally, the law limits how much any single transit authority can receive to ensure the money is distributed among multiple organizations.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education laws to update high school graduation requirements and improve support for struggling schools. It establishes a new competency determination based on mastery of core skills in math, science, technology, and English, allowing districts to include history, social science, and foreign languages. Students who do not meet these standards would receive an educational assistance plan to help them achieve mastery, while parents would have the chance to review these plans. Additionally, the bill changes how schools identified for comprehensive support are selected, requiring that student growth be weighted as heavily as student achievement in the evaluation formula.