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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 3, 2026 Page 25 Beacon Hill Roll Call Volume 51 - Report No. 26 June 22-26, 2026 By Bob Katzen T HE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ votes on roll calls from recent June sessions. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. FIREFIGHTERS (H 5491) House 154-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that supporters said is designed to boost safety for fi refi ghters and people conducting “hot work” including welding, plasma cutting and spark-producing construction. The measure was fi rst proposed after the March 2014 deaths of fi refi ghters Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy who perished while fighting a fire that was caused by welders, working without a city permit, on a building next door to the brownstone in which they died. The bill requires the establishment of a system of public notifi cation and recording of non-compliance with regulations. The bill establishes penalties for violations including a fine up to $1,000 for a fi rst off ense; a fi ne up to $2,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to one year for a second off ense; and for a third or subsequent off ense, a fi ne up to .025 percent of the total project value or $10,000, whichever is greater, and/or imprisonment for up to 2.5 years Other provisions increase from $25,000 to $250,000 the penalty for a wanton or reckless violation of the state building or fi re code that causes serious bodily injury; add a penalty of up to $500,000 and/or up to seven years in prison for a wanton or reckless violation of the state building or fi re code that causes death to any person; provide that a person found to have acted with criminal negligence may be determined to be criminally liable for damage or death stemming from repeated and reckless non-compliance; and require all certifi cations and training programs for cutting, welding and hot works processes to be performed using the existing National Fire Protection Association or equivalent program. “While we can never undo the profound loss of Lieutenant Edward Walsh Jr. and Firefi ghter Michael R. Kennedy, we can honor their sacrifi ce by ensuring that the lessons learned from that tragic day are not forgotten,” said Rep. Dan Cahill (D-Lynn), House Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. “This legislation advances training, accountability and transparency to better protect workers, firefighters and the public from preventable fi res caused by unsafe hot work practices.” “This legislation aims to protect workers in Massachusetts from relaxed workplace practices that can result in significant on the job injuries and severe fi res that subsequently put fi refi ghters in harm’s way,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “By making these crucial reforms we will ensure the safety of the general public and our fi rst responders” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes $228 MILLION FISCAL 2026 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET (H 5496) House 154-2, approved and sent to the Senate a $228 million fi scal 2026 supplemental budget that supporters said would address time-sensitive budget defi - ciencies, including winter storm recovery costs, public safety operations, substance abuse treatment services, homelessness assistance and emergency management expenses. Snowstorm-related funding includes $159.8 million for snow and ice removal costs; $9.5 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for costs associated with snow emergency response and recovery eff orts; and $1.7 million for Massachusetts National Guard expenses related to winter storm response activities. Other provisions include $22.5 million to support the implementation of no-cost calls for prisoners; $8.1 million for homelessness programs; $14 million for the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services; eliminating the $10 surcharge currently imposed on car-sharing rentals like Zipcar and Enterprise CarShare; and updating veterans’ bonus eligibility requirements by requiring a veteran to only currently be living in Massachusetts, rather than having had to live in the Bay State for at least six months before entering service, in order to qualify for certain veterans’ bonus payments. “This legislation fulfi lls one of the Legislature’s most important responsibilities - ensuring that key state programs and services are adequately funded – a role that is especially critical during periods of fi scal uncertainty and increased strain on local budgets,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “This spending package will allow the commonwealth to settle critical defi ciencies and put the diffi cult winter of a few months ago behind us,” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “This legislation will also make critical reforms to how school construction grants are awarded to our cities and towns, and lead to online Lottery revenue to be directed toward early education costs.” Neither one of the two GOP representatives who voted against the legislation responded to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the measure. Those two representatives are Reps. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) and Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica). (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL DON’T MISS THIS “MEET THE MEDIA” EVENT - Join MASSterList and the State House News Service, in partnership with Axios Boston and Commonwealth ~ HELP WANTED ~ Type of Person Needed: * Are you an experienced/willing to learn, motivated person looking for a shop where your skills can be valued? A local company with a fleet shop is a busy, family-owned business dedicated to providing high-quality transportation services and public State inspection services. We are seeking a talented Automotive Technician or mechanical knowledge to join our close-knit crew. If you are dependable and proficient in automotive technical work with a passion for excellent customer service, we want to talk to you. Location: Malden, MA Job Description: * Be able to acquire and maintain a certification for the State Inspection License. Perform light duty mechanical preventive duties, including Fleet preventive maintenance. * State Inspection Services * Miscellaneous shop duties Requirements: * Valid driver’s license with good driving history * Possess or pass the required State Inspector License Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Saturday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM * Rate will be based on experience Contact: Ed Hyde or David Morovitz Call: 781-322-9401 Email: ehyde@maldentrans.com Website: www.maldentrans.com Beacon, for the “Meet the Media” event. Now in its fourth year, this timely gathering brings together journalists and professionals in the communications and government aff airs fi elds for a morning of connection, conversation and community. The event is on Thursday July 16 from 8 a.m. (networking), and 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (program) at the MCLE Conference Center, Downtown Boston - 10 Winter Place. Get tickets and more information at: https://events.humanitix. com/massmedia RENT CONTROL QUESTION WILL NOT BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT – The state’s Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruled that an initiative petition to repeal the state’s 31-year ban on rent control does not qualify to go on the November ballot despite the fact that supporters gathered suffi cient signatures to place the question on the ballot. The court cited a constitutional amendment that prohibits several types of proposals, including one that relates to religion, religious practices or religious institutions, from being the subject of a ballot question. The ballot question would have limited annual increases on most residential units to the lower of infl ation or 5%. It also specifi ed that facilities operated solely for religious purposes would be exempt from the cap. A group of plaintiff s opposed repealing the law brought a suit that claimed the petition should be disqualifi ed because of the religious exemption. The SJC agreed. Attorney General Andrea Campbell had previously certifi ed the question for the ballot, arguing that the petition was just a rent control matter and disBEACON | SEE PAGE 26

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