17

THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 20, 2025 Yes Beacon Hill Roll Call Volume 50 - Report No. 24 June 9-13, 2025 Copyright © 2025 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved. By Bob Katzen T HE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes on roll calls from recent sessions. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. HOUSING PRODUCTION (S 3) Senate 40-0 approved an amendment that would commission a series of studies by the Executive Offi ce of Housing and Livable Communities to explore new tools to jumpstart stalled housing projects. The studies would include a potential construction tax exemption for multifamily housing developments delayed by federal tariff s or economic volatility; the use of third-party inspectors to fast-track permitting for manufactured, off - site and multifamily housing; and whether aff ordable housing projects should be exempt from Proposition 2½ tax levy limits -- a factor that often discourages local approvals. “Together, these provisions are aimed at cutting red tape, lowering costs and accelerating the production of housing—particularly in high-need, geographically isolated regions like the Cape and Islands,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “Massachusetts was averaging 30,000 new homes annually as recently as the 1980s, when our population was much smaller. That number currently sits at about half, despite the increased need. The amendment passed unanimously … in a great show of bipartisan support.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would establish a Scientifi c Research Fund to provide research grants in the fi elds of science, medicine, public health, mental health and other biological or behavioral areas. Amendment supporters said the amendment would provide at the state level the investments in scientific advancement that previously had been provided at the federal level by the National Institute of Health. “Some of the best educational and research institutions in the world are located right here in Massachusetts, and their globally signifi cant innovations drive our state and regional economies,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “This Scientific Research Fund off ers a critical opportunity for state government to support science and step up for research funding infrastructure as the federal government steps away. I am proud and grateful that this amendment passed the Senate by unanimous vote, showing that scientifi c inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge are, and always should be, nonpartisan.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes $800,000 FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment increasing funding for Boys and Girls Clubs by $800,000 (from $2.2 million to $3 million.) “This funding will support the Boys and Girls Club’s mission of assuring that success is within reach of every young person by providing a safe environment and social, academic and health services that club members may not otherwise receive,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Lowell). (A “Yes” vote is for the $800,000.) Sen. Brendan Crighton ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL SALES TAX HOLIDAY (S 2530 and H 4220) – The House and Senate approved measures designating Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10 as a sales tax holiday weekend for the Bay State, allowing consumers to buy most products that cost under $2,500 without paying the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax. State law currently calls for a 2-day sales tax holiday every year. This bill simply sets the specifi c dates. “The sales tax holiday is a wonderful opportunity for our residents to get out into their communities, support local businesses, get their kids ready for school in fall or make a purchase that they’ve been putting off ,” said co-sponsor Sen. Adam Gómez (D-Springfi eld), Senate Chair of the Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses. “I am glad that our leaders here in the Legislature have been able to work and get this done again for our residents this year, and I look forward to hearing how residents are able to make the most of the tax reprieve.” “I was proud to sponsor the legislation establishing this year’s sales tax holiday that helps boost our economy and provides support and relief for our residents and small businesses,” said co-sponsor Rep. Carole Fiola (D-Fall River), House Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “This is an important weekend that helps bolster our economy and I applaud my colleagues in passing this legislation to provide individuals, families and businesses across the commonwealth with some relief.” “Lowering costs for Massachusetts residents and supporting local businesses is critical for our communities in this time of economic uncertainty,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “This year’s temporary suspension of the sales tax will bring consumers needed economic relief while boosting revenue for small businesses and retailers,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). AGE OF CONSENT (S 1104) – The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on legislation that Page 17 would change the current law under which someone who just turned 16-years-old can be prosecuted for statutory rape for having a sexual relationship with someone just under 16. The bill establishes a closein-age exception (often called a “Romeo and Juliet” clause) for certain sexual off enses involving minors, ensuring that consensual relationships between teenagers close in age are not subject to severe criminal penalties. The bill amends laws on indecent assault and battery and statutory rape to prevent prosecution when the defendant is no more than two years older than a minor who is at least 13 years old. It also mandates that juvenile defendants be processed through the juvenile court system rather than adult court when applicable. “In Massachusetts, someone who just turned 16-yearsold can be prosecuted for statutory rape for having a sexual relationship with someone just under 16 years old,” said sponsor Sen. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth). “While the intent of protecting young people is a good one, the way the law currently exists can cause unintended consequences for young people who are in love. Rather than arbitrarily lowering the age of consent, my bill creates a framework that looks at the nature of the age gap between young people and establishes a two-year age difference between the consenting young adults as the determinant of whether criminal charges can be brought.” Fernandes continued, “Thus, if someone is one month shy of age 16 and has a sexual relationship with someone older, that older person cannot be charged criminally as long as they are no more than two years older than the younger partner – in this case, one month shy of age 18. My bill takes into account the current realities for young adults in Massachusetts and removes the extreme jeopardy of the law as currently written, which provides penalties of up to life imprisonment even for a 16-yearold, who has a sexual relationship with someone just under 16.” JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND THEIR VICTIMS (H 1792) – Another measure before the Judiciary Committee would direct the state’s courts to make all reasonable eff orts to ensure that victims of crimes perpetrated by juvenile off enders receive restitution, and that juvenile off enders be required to repair, replace or otherwise make restitution for any damage or loss caused by their crime. This bill also requires that the juvenile court make restitution a condition of release, placement or parole for the juvenile off ender. “Crime victims face many hardships, not only as they deal with the emotional toll of the crime itself, but also with the related fi nancial repercussions,” said sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “We should not compound their suff ering by adding to their fi nancial burden but should instead make it easier for them to receive restitution, which is what [my bill] seeks to do.” MUNICIPALITIES AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE HEARING – The Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hearing on several bills including: EXEMPT LOCAL BILLS FROM REQUIRING THE LEGISLATURE’S APPROVAL (S 1471) – Would remove the current requirement that the Legislature review and approve of routine home rule petitions, fi led in the Legislature by local cities and towns, that have minimal or no statewide impact, such as liquor license increases, charter changes and individual personnel exemptions from the state civil service law. “State legislative review of home rule petitions with limited to no statewide impact unnecessarily adds more red tape to established local processes,” said sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “It hinders our partners in municipal government from doing the jobs they were elected to do and restricts and confuses community members. Simply put, we just don’t need more confusion or longer wait times to implement what voters want in their own communities. My bill … would streamline the routine home rule process by eliminating state legislative review, thereby BEACON | SEE PAGE 18

18 Publizr Home