Local government coverage for every town in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Panel Hears Jesse's Law Bill Requiring Bystanders to Call 911

Massachusetts lawmakers take testimony on Jesse's Law, a bill that would require bystanders to call 911 at life-threatening emergencies. The Joint Committee on the Judiciary heard H5437 on July 31, the panel's final hearing of the term, co-chaired by Representative Michael S.

Joint Committee Unanimously Advances MassDOT Easement Bill for Andover Bridge

Massachusetts joint committee fast-tracks MassDOT easement bill for Andover bridge replacement.

Massachusetts Senate engrosses landmark transparency and press shield bill, 33-6

Massachusetts Senate passes sweeping transparency bill and enacts the state's first statutory press shield law.

Massachusetts House Passes Alzheimer's and ALS Bills Unanimously in July Session

Massachusetts House passes sweeping Alzheimer's and ALS home-care bills without a single dissenting vote.

Massachusetts Senate engrosses land transfer bills for Bourne, Norwood, Weston in brief session

The Massachusetts Senate advanced more than a dozen local land transfer and charter measures in a brief Tuesday session, adjourning in under an hour.

Plymouth Seeks 99-Year Lease to Take Over Management of Pilgrim Memorial Park

Plymouth pushes for a 99-year state lease on Pilgrim Memorial Park to streamline community access.

Massachusetts Senate passes three bills, names conferees on pet and home care disputes

The Massachusetts Senate passed three local bills and named conferees on two contested measures in a brief Sunday session.

House Sends Health Care, Home Care, and Campaign Finance Bills to Conference

The Massachusetts House declined to concur with the Senate on two major policy bills Wednesday, sending a health care workplace violence prevention measure and a home care improvement bill to separate conference committees.

Massachusetts Senate Engrosses Economic Development Bill After Marathon Amendment Session

Massachusetts Senate engrosses major economic development bill after clearing nearly 600 amendments in one session.

Massachusetts Joint Committee Hears Six Town Petitions to Ban Rat Poison

Six Massachusetts towns seek local authority to ban anticoagulant rodenticides as legislative committee hears testimony. Senate Chair Rebecca L.

Massachusetts Joint Committee Hears Six Town Petitions to Ban Rat Poison

Six Massachusetts towns seek local authority to ban anticoagulant rodenticides as legislative committee hears testimony. Senate Chair Rebecca L.

Massachusetts House Votes 119-33 to Remove Post-24-Week Abortion Exceptions

Massachusetts House votes 119-33 to scrap the state's post-24-week abortion exceptions framework. The House passed H. 5595, an act prioritizing patient access to care, on July 22 after floor debate anchored by Representative Michael S.

Massachusetts Credit Card Commission Closes Public Hearings, Moves Toward Final Report

Massachusetts credit card commission wraps public testimony ahead of final report.

Massachusetts Panel Hears Six Municipal Governance Bills, Closes Without Formal Votes

Massachusetts Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government heard six local governance bills Wednesday, taking no formal votes. House Chair Jack Patrick Lewis and Senate Chair Rebecca L.

Massachusetts House Votes 119-33 to Remove Post-24-Week Abortion Exceptions

Massachusetts House votes 119-33 to scrap the state's post-24-week abortion exceptions framework. The House passed H. 5595, an act prioritizing patient access to care, on July 22 after floor debate anchored by Representative Michael S.

Massachusetts Credit Card Commission Closes Public Hearings, Moves Toward Final Report

Massachusetts credit card commission wraps public testimony ahead of final report.

Massachusetts Panel Hears Six Municipal Governance Bills, Closes Without Formal Votes

Massachusetts Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government heard six local governance bills Wednesday, taking no formal votes. House Chair Jack Patrick Lewis and Senate Chair Rebecca L.

Sudbury Recall Bill Draws Divided Testimony at State House Hearing

Sudbury recall bill draws more than a dozen witnesses to State House as committee takes no action. The Joint Committee on Election Laws, co-chaired by Representative Daniel J.

Sudbury Recall Bill Draws Divided Testimony at State House Hearing

Sudbury recall bill draws more than a dozen witnesses to State House as committee takes no action. The Joint Committee on Election Laws, co-chaired by Representative Daniel J.

Massachusetts Senate Engrosses Six Local Bills, Sends Campaign Finance Measure to Conference

Massachusetts Senate advances six local bills and sends campaign finance measure to conference in brief Monday session. The Senate, presided over by Senate President Karen E.

Massachusetts Senate Engrosses Six Local Bills, Sends Campaign Finance Measure to Conference

Massachusetts Senate advances six local bills and sends campaign finance measure to conference in brief Monday session. The Senate, presided over by Senate President Karen E.

Massachusetts House Engrosses Local Bills, Advances State Vegetable Designation

The Massachusetts House moved through a brief routine session July 20, passing a dozen measures by unanimous voice vote in under 20 minutes.

Massachusetts House Engrosses Local Bills, Advances State Vegetable Designation

The Massachusetts House moved through a brief routine session July 20, passing a dozen measures by unanimous voice vote in under 20 minutes.

Massachusetts House Sends Energy Affordability Bill to Conference Committee

The Massachusetts House declined to concur with Senate changes to a wide-ranging energy bill and appointed a Conference Committee to resolve the impasse at its July 16 session. Representative Mark J.

Massachusetts Senate Passes Healthcare Worker Workplace Violence Bill

Massachusetts Senate passes landmark healthcare worker assault protection bill and advances $325 million economic development measure.

Massachusetts House Votes 151-1 to Engross Sweeping Pet Welfare Overhaul

Massachusetts House votes 151-1 to engross a sweeping animal welfare omnibus banning household product animal testing.

Joint Committee on Public Service hears three home rule petitions at 22nd hearing

Massachusetts lawmakers heard testimony on home rule petitions to waive firefighter age limits and expand public retirement access at a July 14 Joint Committee on Public Service hearing. Co-chairs Representative Daniel J.

Massachusetts Senate Engrosses Five Bills, Enacts Three in Sunday Session

The Massachusetts Senate passed or engrossed seven bills and set two committee deadline extensions in a brief Sunday session July 13. Senate Minority Leader Bruce E.

Massachusetts House Passes Local Tax, Conservation, and Senior Relief Bills in Brief Session

Massachusetts House clears local tax, liquor, conservation, and senior relief bills in ten-minute Sunday session.

This Week in Legislature: Jul 5 - Jul 11

1 stories from Legislature News this week.

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Massachusetts Senate Passes Social Media Addiction Bill for Minors, 38-2

Massachusetts Senate passes children's social media protection bill 38-2.

Massachusetts House Advances Eight Local Bills, Accepts Lowell Member's Resignation

The Massachusetts House of Representatives accepted the resignation of Representative Rodney M. Elliott of Lowell's 16th Middlesex District and advanced eight local bills in a brief July 9 informal session.

Massachusetts House Passes $425 Million Economic Development Bond Bill 142-5

Massachusetts House advances $425 million economic development bond bill with broad housing and innovation provisions.

Senate Census Panel Hears Warning on 2030 Data Gaps and Redistricting Law Shifts

Expert warns Massachusetts Senate panel the 2030 census may be the most flawed in American history.

Massachusetts Data Privacy Conference Committee Holds First Meeting, Begins Bill Reconciliation

Massachusetts lawmakers opened conference committee work Monday aimed at reconciling two competing data privacy bills that would give residents new rights over their personal information.

Senate Juvenile Justice Panel Hears Report Showing Rising Youth Arrest Rates, Racial Disparities

Massachusetts Senate juvenile justice panel hears stark data on rising youth arrest rates and racial disparities. The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice, chaired by Sen.

House Enacts Cambridge Parking Bill, Advances Two Local Charter Measures

Massachusetts Senate Passes Cambridge Parking Bill, Advances Six Local Measures

The Massachusetts Senate cleared a Cambridge parking enforcement bill and five other local measures in a brief Sunday session, adjourning in minutes to reconvene Thursday, July 10.

Massachusetts House Approves Local Bills, Concurs With Senate Before Holiday Recess

Massachusetts House clears local bills and a community honor in a brief July 2 informal session.