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Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022 If you have any questions about this week’s report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at (617) 720-1562. Senate 39-0, approved and GET A 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 infl uence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers Chris Van Buskirk and Keith Regan 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: www.massterlist.com/subscribe. THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill roll Call records local senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of April 4-8. There were no roll calls in the House last week. MARIJUANA LAWS (S 2801) sent to the House a bill that makes changes in the cannabis industry including creating a social equity 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. Another key provision would permit cities and towns, either through a voter referendum or by an act of the City Council or Board of Selectmen, to allow the sale of marijuana and marijuana products for consumption on the premises where they are sold. 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. “I’m proud that when the Senate and the Legislature legalized the commercial marijuana industry in 2017, we prioritized the creation of a fi rst-in-the-nation equity program,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (DAshland). “Unfortunately, many barriers continue to prevent those historically harmed by marijuana prohibition from entering the industry. Today’s bill Your Hometown News Delivered! EVERETT ADVOCATE MALDEN ADVOCATE REVERE ADVOCATE SAUGUS ADVOCATE MALDEN ADV REVERE ADV SAUGUS ADV One year subscription to The Advocate of your choice: $100 per paper in-town per year or $120 per paper out-of-town per year. Name_________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ City_______________ State_______ Zip ____________ CC# _______________________________ Exp. _____ Sec. code____ Advocate (City):___________________ Clip & Mail Coupon with Credit Card, Check or Money Order to: Advocate Newspapers Inc. PO Box 490407, Everett, MA 02149 takes important steps to address these by providing resources to support social equity businesses and putting guardrails in place on the Host Community Agreement process.” “When we passed recreational cannabis legislation fi ve years ago, we sought to ensure the commonwealth’s budding cannabis industry would be equitable, diverse, and have ample avenues of entry for small-scale and Black and Brown-led entrepreneurship,” said Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “Regrettably, the Legislature’s intention to build an industry rooted in social justice has not yet been fully realized. Today we are living up to that promise by establishing guardrails on host-community agreements, allowing communities interested in pursuing social consumption sites to do so, and empowering a strong, vibrant, local cannabis industry with a robust cannabis equity fund.” “Limiting the cost of operation is part of promoting social equity and repairing harm to communities harmed by War On Drugs, by lowering one of many barriers to entry with the host community agreement reform in this bill,” said Sen. Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville). “I hope this new bill is even clearer in stating the intent of the law and the ability of the Cannabis Control Commission to achieve the goals of promoting social equity. High costs of cannabis have helped preserve the illicit market for cannabis and this bill will take signifi cant steps to expand business opportunities and lower costs across the commonwealth.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill). Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes REQUIRE REFERENDUM ON ONSITE CONSUMPTION (S 2801) Senate 3-36, rejected an amendment that would require a city or town to hold a voter referendum on any proposal that would allow the sale of marijuana and marijuana products for consumption on the premises where they are sold. The amendment would replace language in the bill that gives two options to cities and towns: hold a referendum or have the option to give the authority to the City Council or Board of Selectmen. Amendment supporters said that the voters, not city or town offi cials, should have the fi nal say on whether to allow these businesses to operate in the community. “If you believe in democracy and full participation and allowing every voter to weigh in, and most of us do, then you would be in support of this amendment,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). Amendment opponents said cities and towns should have both the referendum option and the local offi cials’ option, which will save the costs of holding a referendum. The main opponent of the amendment, Sen. Sonia ChangDiaz (D-Boston) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for allowing only a referendum. A “No” vote is for allowing a referendum or a vote by local offi cials). Sen. Lydia Edwards No CREATE A FUND TO HELP CITIES AND TOWNS DEVELOP AGREEMENTS (S 2801) Senate 8-31, rejected an amendment that would create a state-funded Host Community Technical Assistance Fund to help cities and towns in developing and negotiating Home Community Agreements (HCAs)—which are agreements between a city or town and the business looking to open a marijuana-related business in the community. “If we are going to put so much stock in HCAs and put stringent requirements on their accounting and execution, then we ought to be helping municipalities that may not have the ability to negotiate and develop the kind of agreements that we all hope to have,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Bruce Tarr (RGloucester). Amendment opponents said the fund is not necessary and noted that the bill includes the creation of a model agreement on which cities and towns can base their agreements without spending a lot of money. They also noted cities and towns can use the 3 percent tax that local communities are already entitled to levy on the businesses. The main opponent of the amendment, Sen. Sonia ChangDiaz (D-Boston,) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Lydia Edwards No COMMISSION ON DRUGGED DRIVING (S 2801) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would create a Special Commission on Drugged Driving to do research on the development of technology and methods that would reliably test individuals suspected of operating motor vehicles under the infl uence of marijuana. The commission would submit an annual report, beginning January 1, 2024 of its fi ndings and recommendation for legislation. “From what we have seen in Massachusetts and other states where marijuana has been legalized, there has been an uptick in incidents of driving under the infl uence of cannabis and this remains a signifi cant public safety issue,” said Sen. Mike Moore (DMillbury). “Drugged driving has long been an issue here in the commonwealth; however, the lack of a reliable test for individuals operating motor vehicles under the infl uence of marijuana has posed challenges to law enforcement. This amendment creates a commission to help ensure that we remain vigilant to advancements in technology and have updated policies for court proceedings to keep our roadways safe.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes CREATING WOMEN’S RIGHTS HISTORY TRAIL PROGRAM (S 2802) Senate 39-0, approved a bill that would require the state to develop and implement a Women’s Rights History Trail Program. The measure includes requiring the state to designate properties and sites that are historically and thematically associated with the struggle for women’s rights and women’s suff rage. Another provision provides that the state promote education and awareness of the struggle for women’s rights in the state. A 13-member Women’s Rights History Trail Task Force would be formed to research, solicit public input and make recommendations for sites, properties and attractions to be included in the trail. The House has already approved its own version of the bill. The Senate version now goes to the House for consideration. “Massachusetts has a rich history of involvement in the women’s rights movement,” said the bill’s sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “Women have had a pivotal role in shaping the policies of our commonwealth, and this bill will ensure that those contributions are known and celebrated … The history of these women is our history, and we must continue to advance that history forward.” “Women in Massachusetts have played a pivotal role at every step in the commonwealth’s history, yet their contributions are too often overlooked,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Women’s Rights History Trail will serve as a visible monument to the history of women—and the women’s rights movement. Understanding this history gives us all a chance to refl ect on where we have come from and what it means to leave a legacy that can uplift and inspire future generations. I am glad to see that this BEACON | SEE Page 15

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