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Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MAy 29, 2026 Beacon Hill Roll Call Volume 51 - Report No. 21 May 18-22, 2026 By Bob Katzen T HE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ and representatives’ votes on roll calls from the week of May 19-23. All Senate roll calls were related to the Senate version of a $63. 37 billion fi scal 2027 state budget. “BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE SENATE BUDGET DEBATE” Of the 1,161 amendments fi led by senators, only 26 came to a roll call vote. And 21 of those were approved unanimously. Many others were simply approved or rejected one at a time on voice votes, some with debate and some without debate. To move things along even faster, the Senate also did its usual “bundling” of many amendments. Instead of acting on each amendment one at a time, hundreds of the proposed amendments are bundled and put into two piles— one pile that will be approved and the other that will be rejected, without a roll call, on voice votes where it is impossible to tell which way a senator votes. Senate President Karen Spilka, or the senator who is fi lling in for her at the podium, orchestrates the approval and rejection of the bundled amendments with a simple: “All those in favor say ‘Aye,’ those opposed say ‘No. ’ The Ayes have it and the amendments are approved. ” Or: “All those in favor say ‘Aye,’ those opposed say ‘No. ’ The No’s have it and the amendments are rejected. ” Senators don’t actually vote “Yes” or “No,” and, in fact, they don’t say a word. The outcome was predetermined earlier behind closed doors. EPINEPHRINE TO TREAT ANAPHYLAXIS (H 5443) House 154-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would expand access to epinephrine autoinjectors that are used to treat anaphylaxis - a severe, sudden and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. The measure would allow frequently visited and authorized public entities such as restaurants, sports arenas, recreation camps and universities to obtain, store and administer epinephrine. It also empowers trained personnel to act swiftly in emergencies, even when the aff ected individual does not have a known allergy or prescription on fi le. Other provisions require that individuals complete an approved anaphylaxis training program and submit proof of that training to the Department of Public Health; establish clear protocols for storage and oversight; and provide appropriate liability protections for those acting in good faith, while preserving accountability in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. “Anaphylaxis is sudden, severe and often fatal,” said Rep. Thomas Moakley (D-Falmouth) who sponsored an earlier version of the measure. “It does not require a prior diagnosis. It does not wait for an ambulance to arrive, and it does not distinguish between known allergy suff erers and individuals experiencing their fi rst reaction. When it [occurs], the immediate administration of epinephrine is often the only intervention that can prevent a tragedy. ” Moakley continued, “The journey that led to the [bill] began when I met a constituent, Megan Shai Brown [who] has been the heart - LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE - Notice is hereby given by: A.G. Quealy Towing, Inc. 26 Garvey St Everett, MA 02149 pursuant to the provisions of G.L.c.255, Section 39A, that on or after 06-06-2026 the following Motor Vehicles will be sold to satisfy the garage keeper’s lien thereon for storage, towing charges, care and expenses of notice and sale of said vehicles A.G. Quealy Towing P.O. Box 490558 Everett, MA 02149 YEAR MAKE MODEL 2005 Nissan Audi 2010 2012 Yamaha Flywing Fw150 Black Altima A4 VIN# 1N4AL11DX5C398753 WAUSFAFL4AA125669 RKRSE48Y1CA080928 HZ2TBCNF4R1007516 Signed, Alan G. Quealy, owner A.G. Quealy Towing, Inc. May 22, 29, June 05, 2026 and soul of this bill, fi ercely advocating for life saving legislation in the wake of her own family tragedy. Megan lost her husband, Michael Brown at age 42 from a wasp sting and unknown allergy during a charity golf tournament in 2023. In the wake of that devastating and unexpected loss, Megan learned that Michael’s passing may have been avoided if an Epipen were more readily available. She then set her mind to make that happen, fi rst on Martha’s Vineyard and then across all of Massachusetts. ” “This legislation will help students experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction to receive immediate care when every second matters,” said Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy), the sponsor of an earlier version of the proposal. “By allowing properly trained school personnel to administer epinephrine in emergencies when a school nurse is not immediately available, this bill strengthens student safety while maintaining appropriate oversight, training, and accountability standards. ” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. ) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes BIRTH DEFECTS (H 5441) House 155-1, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would mandate that hospitals screen all newborns for congenital cytomegalovirus (CCMV) by using saliva or Urine Polymerase Chain Reaction tests. The cost of providing the screening would be required to be a covered benefi t by all health insurers. Other provisions would establish a framework to create prenatal education on CCMV and on prevention methods to reduce the number of mothers that contract the virus and pass it along to their child; and mandate reporting of CCMV incidence to the Department of Public Health to provide better data on the disease. “I’m delighted that this legislation passed the House yesterday,” said sponsor Rep. Sally Kerans (D-Danvers). “A simple newborn screening can detect the presence of CCMV, making critical, time sensitive and highly eff ective treatment possible. Left undetected and untreated within three weeks of birth, the virus can rob a baby of its hearing and cause other devastating and lifelong complications. CCMV is the leading infectious cause of birth defects and the leading cause of non-genetic childhood hearing loss. It is more common than many of the existing conditions on the universal newborn screening panel. “ “Not every parent may want their child tested for CCMV much like any of the other invasive tests and vaccines the state forces on newborns,” said Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver), the only member who voted against the proposal. “Parental rights are just that. Parents have the right to decide. The bill supported educating the parents but when debated on, [supporters] admitted that people don’t understand. So, the state has to step in and mandate testing. I disagree. ” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it. ) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes DRONES (H 5444) House 155-1, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that makes it illegal for a person to manufacture, modify, sell, transfer, possess or operate a robotic device equipped or mounted with a weapon. Other provisions prohibit anyone from using a robotic device to threaten to commit a crime, criminally harass a person or physically restrain or attempt to physically restrain a person; and exempt law enforcement agencies from the proposed new law. Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton) who filed an earlier version of the measure, said the bill is designed to get ahead of potential misuses of advanced robotics technology while ensuring that this technology can be used responsibly by law enforcement for non-violent purposes. She said, “The commonwealth of Massachusetts is a global leader in robotics, and with the passage of this bill in the Senate and signature of the governor, it would become one in robotics safety as well. ” “Massachusetts has always believed that innovation and accountability go hand in hand, and this bill makes sure that as robotic technology advances, it does so with the right guardrails in place,” said Rep. Michael Finn (D-West Springfi eld). “We’re not standing in the way of progress. We’re making sure it doesn’t become a tool for unchecked surveillance or harm in our own neighborhoods. ” “Ensuring that our laws keep up with advancements in technology is critical,” said Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham), House Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary. “This bill prohibits the possession of drones and robots equipped to harm others and ensures clear civil rights protections for our residents. ” “[This] is a ‘feel good’ bill that is not well thought out and does nothing to protect the citizens of Massachusetts,” said Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver), the only member who voted against the proposal. “It merely stifl es innovation, like farmers using drones to spray their fi elds as it will be illegal to use a drone to spread a chemical agent and gives more power to the government infringing on our right to privacy and creativity, seeking to make criminals of law-abiding citizens. ” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it. ) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes AUTISM AND POLICE STOPS (H 5438) House 156-0, approved a bill designed to improve interactions between police offi cers and persons with autism spectrum disorder during traffi c stops. The measure, dubbed the “Blue Envelope Bill,” would create a program giving people with the disorder the option to be given a special blue envelope that holds the person’s driver’s license and vehicle registration. On the outside of the envelope there would be written information and guidance on the envelope regarding ways to enhance effective communication between a police offi cer and a person with autism spectrum disorder. The envelope must also include instructions for access to the envelope, including attaching it to the sun visor on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The bill is designed to enable the driver to quickly and easily hand the envelope to a police offi cer during a traffi c stop. “This bill will make a meaningful diff erence for countless individuals with autism and their families by expanding access to tools and resources that promote better understanding, clearer communication and improved safety during these interactions,” said Rep. James Arciero (D-Westford), House Chair of the Committee on BEACON | SEE PAGE 16

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