Page 20 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2024 BEACON | FROM Page 19 ILLEGAL FIREWORKS (H 3634) — The House gave initial approval to legislation that would amend current law which imposes a fi ne between $10 and $100 on anyone convicted of illegal possession or use of fi reworks. The bill would increase the penalty, in areas with a population density of 1,000 or more persons per square mile, to a fi ne 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 fi nes for illegal fi reworks 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 tial 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 Offi cer 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 fi led the bill … this session and I believe its protections are necessary to keep our correction offi cers 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) (H 2422) — The House gave ini- — The House gave initial approv- LEGAL NOTICE - In the matter of: Of: To the named Respondent and all other interested persons, a of in the above captioned matter alleging that is in need of a Conservator or other protective order and requesting that (or some other suitable person) be appointed as Guardian to serve on the bond. The petition asks the court to determine that the Respondent is disabled, that a protective order or appointment of a Conservator on or before on the return date of is al 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 eff ective, 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 traffi c 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] fi xes 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.” “Y’all can stand and clap for that.” ---Freshman Rep. Chistopher Worrell (D-Boston) during his inaugural speech on the House fl oor, 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 O?ce of Energy and Environmental A?airs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announcing the awarding of more than $1 million in grants to organizations to promote and protect Massachusetts’ soil health. “While the law prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation, we sadly see LGBTQIA+ individuals and others denied basic rights simply because of how they express or identify themselves. I, along with my offi ce, will continue to educate people about their rights and protections under law as we seek to create safe and equitable spaces for all.” ---Attorney General Andrea Campbell upon releasing an updated ‘Protections Against Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodations Guide’ to help ensure compliance with existing law and educate the public about their rights in public spaces, including gender-specific spaces like men’s and women’s restrooms. The guide has been updated to include information about how the law protects those who identify as nonbinary and/or transgender. “Our Bureau of Special Investigations examiners are making government work better by identifying fraud, waste and abuse of tax dollars so that residents actually in need have access to support and services.” ---State Auditor Diana DiZoglio on her offi ce identifying more than $2 million in public benefi t fraud in the third quarter of fi scal 2024. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Sena er matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been fi led. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week June 17-21, the House met for a total of fi ve hours and 51 minutes and the Senate met for a total of eight hours and 26 minutes. Mon. June 17 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:09 a.m. Senate 11:07 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. Tues. June 18 No House session No Senate session Wed. June 19 No House session. No Senate session Thurs. June 20 House 11:00 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. Senate 11:12 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. Fri. June 21 No House session Senate 1:07 p.m. to 2:04 p.m. Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall. com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.
21 Publizr Home