Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 13, 2026 BEACON | FROM PAGE 17 from state law and use more respectful terminology. Language is not stagnant. It changes as needs, awareness and times change. It is essential that we keep up with these changes. And, as a commonwealth, we are overdue in making those changes.” LOCKSMITHS (H 1562) -The House gave initial approval to legislation that would require any locksmith hired by a tenant to change locks on a rental property, to make a good faith effort to determine whether a landlord has received notice of the request. The locksmith would also be required to determine if the rental agreement requires that the owner retain a key to the leased residential premises; and if so, the locksmith would be required to make a good faith effort to provide a key to the new locks to the owner within two business days of the locks being changed. Supporters said that in the event of a fire, a bursting pipe or a gas leak, seconds matter. If a landlord has an old key that no longer works, they may have to break down a door to prevent property damage or save lives. “This issue was called to my attention by a Franklin landlord who was locked out of her property after the tenant had the locks changed,” said sponsor Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin). “This legislation ensures that a landlord’s fundamental right to emergency access and property oversight is protected by requiring locksmiths to verify notice before altering a rental unit. By mandating that owners receive a duplicate key within two business days, the bill prevents dangerous delays during maintenance crises or life-safety emergencies. Ultimately, it fosters transparency between tenants and owners while preserving the integrity of the lease agreement and the security of the physical asset.” PROTECT PETS DURING EMERGENCIES (H 1559) – The House gave initial approval to a proposal that would make major changes in laws about pets in homes, apartments, hotels and shelters across the state during a state of emergency to allow owners of pets to remain safely housed and not be formally removed from housing due to their pets. The bill would prohibit a landlord from “initiating action to evict any person from a residential dwelling unit who has a pet without written permission based solely on the presence of the pet until one year after a state of emergency, unless the presence of pets is causing harm to the safety of other residents.” Other provisions include prohibiting a hotel from unreasonably refusing to allow pets into a hotel during a state of emergency, unless the pet has demonstrated noise and safety conCITY OF EVERETT - LEGAL NOTICE - ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 484 BROADWAY, ROOM 24 EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS 02149 To Whom It May Concern: This notice is to inform you that there will be a Special Meeting held on Tuesday February 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM, Everett City Hall, 3rd Floor George Keverian Hearing Room. All interested parties may attend and opinions will be heard regarding the following petition. Whereas a petition has been presented by: Property Address: Map/Parcel: Building Permit Property Owner: PROPOSAL: The applicant seeks to construct a three (3) story rear addition and convert the existing 2 family residence built approximately in 1888 into a three (3) Family Permit was denied in accordance with the City of Everett Zoning Ordinance as follows: Violations: • The existing structure is nonconforming as to the left side setback (4 feet required; 3 feet provided); front setback (ten feet required; 7.1 feet provided); and lot area (7,000 square feet required; 5,750 square feet provided). The applicant’s proposal will increase these nonconformities by extending the structure vertically within the nonconforming front setback, extending both vertically and laterally along the nonconforming side setback; and adding a third dwelling unit on the undersized lot (resulting in a floor area ratio of 1.02, where only 0.50 is permitted). A special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals is required to alter or extend the nonconforming structure. Rebecca Edmondson Korom - Chairman Roberta Suppa - Clerk of Board of Appeals February 06, 13, 2026 97 Irving Street Everett, MA 02149 L0-04-000106 B-26-4 97 Irving Street LLC 167 Union Street Everett, MA 02149 cerns; prohibiting condominium associations from discriminating against owners or renters by banning certain types of dogs based on breed, size, weight or appearance; establishing a program of pet ownership by residents of state-aided public housing; allowing landlords to require a tenant to pay additional rent for “common household pets” but limiting the amount of the additional rent charged for each household pet to not more than 1 percent of the first full month’s rent charged to the tenant; prohibiting landlords from charging additional rent for a service or assistance animal required by a tenant with a disability as a reasonable accommodation under state or federal law; and prohibiting an insurance company from refusing to offer or renew insurance to homeowners or renters or from imposing an increased premium or rate of a policy based on a specific breed of dog owned on the property. Supporters say that pets are very important to their owners and argue that these new laws would be fair to the pets, owners and landlords while also protecting public safety. Reps. Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge) and Samantha Montaño (D-Boston), co-sponsors of the proposal, did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the bill and its passage. HOME REPAIRS (H 1271) – The House gave initial approval to a measure that would prohibit homeowner insurance companies from including in a policy a provision requiring an insured homeowner to complete a repair prior to the release of funds estimated by the insurer for the cost of repair. Supporters said that this is a pro-consumer bill that will help homeowners because many insurance companies pay the claim in stages, not all at once. They noted that some homeowners are required to pay the repair company faster than the insurance company pays the homeowner and cannot afford to pay the repair company out of their own pocket and then wait for the insurance company to reimburse them. Rep. Jim Murphy (D-Weymouth), the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the bill and its passage. QUOTABLE QUOTES “Now, Therefore, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim Friday, February 6th through Sunday, February 8th, 2026 to be New England Patriots Appreciation Weekend.” ---Gov. Maura Healey in an official proclamation to celebrate the Patriots playing in the Super Bowl. “We’re building a mass movement here in Massachusetts — one that shows up in the streets, not only at the ballot box. This official recognition gives working people a political home, and it’s just the beginning. Leading up to November and beyond, Joe Tache’s U.S. Senate campaign will show Massachusetts what a working-class party looks like in action.” ---Ben Gaudiosi, spokesperson for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, announcing that the party has officially been recognized as a political designation in Massachusetts. “At a time when so many families are struggling to put food on the table, it is an outrage to hear that taxpayer dollars meant to support such a vital safety net program are going to individuals who don’t qualify for or deserve assistance. Even more disturbing is how lackadaisical the Healey Administration’s response has been since it learned of this scheme.” ---House GOP Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) on U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley announcing charges against four Massachusetts residents for SNAP fraud. “Cultural districts not only draw people in, but they also create the conditions for communities to thrive. Through the Massachusetts Cultural Districts Initiative, we recognize the essential role these districts play in strengthening local economies, animating public spaces and creating places where people feel connected, welcome and inspired.” ---David Slatery, Acting Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council, announcing an $870,000 grant that will award 58 state-designated cultural districts with a $15,000 grant in support of local entities that galvanize economic activity and expand access to arts and culture in communities across the state. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands
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