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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 27, 2022 Page 11 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen GET FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList—the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and influence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers Keith Regan and Matt Murphy who introduce each article in their own clever and inimitable way. MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: https://lp. constantcontactpages.com/su/aPTLucK THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from the week of May 16-20. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week. MARIJUANA LAWS (H 4791) House 155-0, approved a bill that makes changes in the cannabis industry including a section that would require the state to put its tax and licensing revenue from the sales of marijuana revenue into a newly created Social Equity Trust Fund to provide grants and loans, including forgivable and no-interest loans, designed to assist entrepreneurs and businesses from communities disproportionately harmed by the decades of marijuana prohibition. The measure would also allow municipalities to vote by a local referendum or through a vote of the municipal government for social consumption of marijuana to take place in their community. The Senate has already approved its own version of the bill and a House-Senate conference committee will likely hammer out a compromise version. Supporters explained that opening an average cannabis retail shop can require up to $1.5 million. They noted that since federal cannabis laws prevent these businesses from accessing traditional bank loans, lack of capital can pose an insurmountable barrier. They noted that less than 20 (6 percent) of the 346 marijuana businesses are connected to participants in the Cannabis Control Commission's current social equity program or economic empowerment entrepreneurs. “This legislation builds upon the House’s multi-session efforts to create a fair and successful cannabis industry, fostering equitable opportunities to those disproportionately impacted by the systemic racism of historic drug policy,” said Speaker of the House Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “With this legislation, the House addresses ongoing concerns that have only become more pronounced with the growth of the cannabis industry, such as the host community agreement process and systemic barriers for minority-owned businesses to enter the cannabis market.” “This legislation continues to build on the strives we have made in the cannabis industry to ensure equitable access for all Massachusetts residents, particularly those who have been disadvantaged by marijuana prohibition and enforcement,” said Rep. Dan Donahue (D-Worcester), House Chairman of the Committee on Cannabis Policy. “This bill lays out a clear and fair approach to expungement for prior marijuana convictions that ensures the best interest of justice is served by providing a real and effective avenue for many to put their past behind them.” “I voted against the cannabis bill first based on the principle that I believe legalization was a mistake,” said Rep. Jeff Turco (D-Winthrop), one of only two members who voted against the measure. “I believe this bill compounds the mistake by using taxpayer funding to finance new entrants into the cannabis market. In addition, this bill will allow people convicted of distributing cannabis in a school zone and to children to be permanently expunged from their criminal record. In light of all of these concerns, I voted against the bill.” Rep. Marc Lombardo (D-Billerica), the only other representative who voted against the measure, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call for a comment. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it). Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes PUBLIC MEETING BEFORE LICENSING (H 4791) House 29-126, rejected an amendment that would require that a public hearing be held prior to the signing of an agreement between a host city or town and a marijuana business. “Under current law a public meeting must take place in a community prior to a cannabis business applying for a license from the Cannabis Control Commission,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Paul Frost (R-Auburn). “However, that public meeting can and has taken place after a host community agreement is already signed and agreed to between the business and community officials. My amendment sought to require that the public meeting must take place prior to the signing of the host community agreement. This way residents, especially those impacted by the location of such a business, can have input prior to any agreement on addressing impacts being finalized. It makes the process far more transparent and consistent from community to community.” Rep. Dan Donahue (D-Worcester), cochair of the Committee on Cannabis Policy. opposed the amendment. “Currently Everett Aluminum 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 57 Years! family since 1958 • 64 “Same name, phone number & address for over half a century. We must be doing something right!” •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roof ng • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! municipalities are allowed to host, have their host community agreement meetings before a host community agreement is required,” said Donahue during the debate in the House. “The Cannabis Control Commission under this legislation will have the ability to promulgate new regulations … which …could include possibly the preference to have a host community agreement meeting before they sign … This bill is about setting the boundaries for what could be included in a host community agreement. It doesn’t deal with the processes for which a municipality will engage their community members in signing the host community agreement.” (A "Yes" vote is for the amendment. A "No" vote is against it). Rep. Paul Donato No Rep. Steven Ultrino No BORROW $5 BILLION FOR STATE PROJECTS(H 4790) House 155-0, approved and sent to the Senate a $5 billion bill that borrows money for hundreds of projects—the majority involving maintenance and modernization projects of buildings—many of which are decades old. The House added $125 million during consideration of the package. A key provision imposes a fiveyear moratorium on any prison or jail construction in Massachusetts. There was no debate on the House floor during consideration of the package. There were 256 amendments filed by members, many of which were filed by legislators for projects in their own district. Members pitched their amendments behind closed doors. In the end, there was no debate or vote on individual amendments but rather approval of a single mega-consolidated which included some, but not all, of the 256 amendments. “I’m pleased that the House of Representatives advanced this critical legislation to ensure funding for several governmental facility projects,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “The House bill also includes a moratorium on the construction of all new prisons in the commonwealth. This moratorium is consistent with the goals of the Legislature’s 2018 criminal justice reform legislation, which looked to reduce our prison population, limit solitary confinement and increase access mental health support.” Rep. Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough), the House chair of the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on passage of the bill. Her committee held a hearing on the original version of the measure sponsored by Gov. Charlie Baker back in January. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill). Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL ALLOW CITIES AND TOWN TO IMPOSE WATER FEES (S 2869) - The Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a virtual hearing on legislation that would allow cities, towns and water or wastewater districts to impose “reasonable” fees that would be used only to remedy/offset impacts that water withdrawals and discharges have on the natural environment. Supporters said that “water banking” at the local level has proven to be an effective tool for mitigating the impacts of water withdrawals on both the natural environment and local and regional water infrastructure systems. “In response to administrative consent orders and increasingly stringent regulatory mandates, communities are being encouraged to establish water banks or mitigation funds,” said sponsor Sen. 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