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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 28, 2024 Page 19 FOR SALE - MIXED-USE COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL 225-229 Highland Ave., Malden MIXED-USE Two Commercial Convenience Stores AND Three Apartments - Two, 2-Bedoroom & One, 1-Bedroom Yearly Rental Income: $166,200 Call (781) 520-1091 BEACON | FROM PAGE 18 states in putting a stop to this inhumane practice by law. I am proud to be the primary sponsor of this bill and will continue to tirelessly advocate against the abuse of animals and for their protection as some of the most vulnerable members of our community.” “I take the matters of animal welfare and inhumane conditions very seriously,” said Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury). Given that puppy mills and other profit-focused animal breeding operations have a demonstrated track record of substandard conditions and disregard for the wellbeing of the animals, anything we can do to disrupt this industry without harming responsible breeders is action we should take.” “Typically, pet shops obtain animals from substandard breeding facilities, which results in consumers unknowingly purchasing sick or genetically compromised pets,” said Rep. Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster). REQUIRE ADAPTIVE BEAM HEADLIGHT TECHNOLOGY (H 3419) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that would require all new automobiles sold in the state after January 1, 2026 to be equipped with adaptive beam headlight technology which is currently used in other parts of the world including Europe, China and Canada. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Adaptive Driving Beam Headlight Systems (ADBs) use automatic headlight beam switching technology to shine less light on occupied areas of the road and more light on unoccupied areas. The adaptive beam is particularly useful for distance illumination of pedestrians, animals and objects without reducing the visibility of drivers in other vehicles. As a CNN report noted, “Imagine if you could drive at night with your high beams on all the time, bathing the road ahead in bright light but without ever blinding other drivers.’ That’s what ADB accomplishes.” “The legislation seeks to address the problem with overly bright headlights,” said sponsor Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton).” There are no shortage of news articles that speak to the growing problem of overly bright headlights on the highways of Massachusetts. While they improve driver safety in some respects, they also blind oncoming traffic, which does not help with road safety. A solution is adaptive headlight technology or smart headlights. “The American Automobile Association research found ADBs illuminate the road 86 percent better than current headlight technology but without the glare,” continued Sabadosa. “Smart headlights make about 5,000 adjustments per second to curve light around the part of the road already lit up by an oncoming car. So, there’s no direct beam in the other driver’s face.” ILLEGAL FIREWORKS (H 3634) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would amend current law which imposes a fine between $10 and $100 on anyone convicted of illegal possession or use of fireworks. The bill would increase the penalty, in areas with a population density of 1,000 or more persons per square mile, to a fine of between $200 and $500 and/or a prison sentence or up to six months. “This has been an issue in my district that needs to be addressed,” said sponsor Rep. Rodney Elliott (D-Lowell). “By increasing fines for illegal fireworks usage, we not only deter irresponsible behavior but also send a clear message that the safety of our citizens is eminent.” FREE WEIGHTS IN PRISONS (H 2422) – The House gave initial approval to a measure that would require superintendents of medium- and maximum-security prisons to block inmates from accessing free weights or any other exercise equipment that is not secured. Sponsor Rep. Steven Xiarhos (R-Barnstable) said the bill is named “Matt’s Law” in honor of Corrections Officer Matthew Tidman, who was brutally assaulted in 2022 by a prison inmate who used free weights from a prison gym facility as a weapon. “I am proud to have filed the bill … this session and I believe its protections are necessary to keep our correction officers safe at work,” said Xiarhos. “These brave men and women risk their safety for us every day and it is important for us to have their back.” EXPAND NERO’S LAW (H 2423) – The House gave initial approval to another Xiarhos proposal that would expand Nero’s Law, passed in 2022, that requires EMS personnel to provide basic emergency treatment to a police dog and use an ambulance to transport the dog injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic or veterinary hospital, if there are not people requiring emergency medical treatment or transport at that time. That law was passed following the tragic death of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon who was shot and killed in the line of duty. His K-9 partner Nero was severely injured and had to be rushed to the animal hospital in the back of a police cruiser. Nero survived. The bill permits not just basic emergency medical treatment, but also advanced life support care as an option by those properly trained, if available and necessary. “We passed Nero’s Law a couple of years ago in honor of K-9 Nero, and as a lasting tribute to fallen Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon, who was killed in the line of duty in the same incident where Nero was injured,” said Xiarhos. “Law enforcement depends on police dogs to keep the public safe in dangerous situations. It’s the least we can do to make sure that these dogs receive proper emergency medical care if they are injured through their work.” CITIES AND TOWNS (H 3396) – The House gave initial approval to a bill that would require that cities and towns include a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) element in their master plans. Sponsors say that TDM studies policies aimed at giving people effective, reliable transportation options, often by spreading travel across modes, locations, routes and times of day. The measure also emphasizes collaboration with Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) to reduce congestion and improve mobility. Supporters said that TDM and TMA options can help improve transportation equity by allocating resources to under-served groups, including non-drivers and reduce negative impacts from driving, such as congestion, noise, air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. They argued that implementing TDM policies is often less expensive for cities and towns than car-centric options such as expanding roads and parking facilities. “Massachusetts has some of the worst traffic congestion in the Wwrld. Too often, transportation planning is done on a project-by-project basis rather than as part of a holistic, municipality or regional basis,” said sponsor Rep. Steven Owens (D-Watertown). “[My bill] fixes that.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “The clerk will modify the members and tell them that a roll call is in progress.” ---The closed captioning words that appeared on the screen of the live coverage online of the House of Representatives when the speaker announced, “The clerk will NOTIFY the members and tell them that a roll call is in progress.” that.” “Y’all can stand and clap for ---Freshman Rep. Chistopher Worrell (D-Boston) during his inaugural speech on the House floor, referring to the May birth of his second daughter. “One of our most important natural resources is right beneath our feet -- soil. Protecting soil quality is essential to stewarding our ecosystems and sustaining Massachusetts’ agricultural industry. Healthy soil is the foundation for climate resilient communities. Implementing thoughtful land management strategies is vital to maintaining biodiversity, promoting water quality and reducing carbon in the atmosphere.” -- Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announcing the awarding of more than $1 million in grants to organizations to promote and protect Massachusetts’ soil health. BEACON | SEE PAGE 20

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