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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 19, 2025 Page 19 Beacon Hill Roll Call Volume 50 -Report No. 37 September 8-12, 2025 Copyright © 2025 Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved. By Bob Katzen T HE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from prior sessions on the $60.9 billion fi scal 2026 state budget. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. $10 MILLION FOR CITIES AND TOWNS (H 4000) House 26-130 rejected an amendment that would repeal the state’s 2023 No-Cost Calls Law, which provides $10 million to fund unlimited phone calls for inmates at county and state correctional facilities, and would redirect the $10 million to support unrestricted local aid for cities and towns. The amendment would also establish a commission to study and develop recommendations for a fi scally constrained and sustainable alternative to the No-Cost Calls Law. “The state’s sheriffs have collectively raised concerns about the No-Cost Calls Program’s rising costs, which Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott recently testifi ed has already cost taxpayers $12.5 million this fi scal year,” said sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “By redirecting the money allocated to this program to unrestricted general government aid, we can assist our cities and towns that are struggling to pay for essential municipal programs and services. I also believe it’s critical to have a commission study the NoCost Calls Program to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used more effi ciently and eff ectively.” Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham) said that the No-Cost Calls Law works because when prisoners are able to communicate with their families, to talk outside of the walls, it results in better success rates and less recidivism. He argued that this $10 million is well-spent and means we have to spend less money on our criminal justice system. (A “Yes” vote is for redirecting the $10 million to fund unlimited phone calls to instead fund $10 million in unrestricted local aid for cities and towns. A “No” vote is for keeping the $10 million funding for the No-Cost Calls Law.) Rep. Jessica Giannino No Rep. Donald Wong Yes ALLOW DEBATE AND VOTE ON 2034 GAS CAR BAN (H 4000) House 132-25, supported the ruling of the chair that prohibited admission to the House for debate and a vote, an amendment that would prevent the state from banning all gas-powered cars by 2035. The chair ruled that the amendment should not be allowed for consideration because the House has already rejected an amendment to postpone the ban and this amendment to prevent the ban outright exceeds the amendment to postpone. They noted under House rules consideration of the amendment to ban is not allowed to be considered. “The chair had ruled that the underlying amendment should not be taken up because the House had already rejected an amendment that would have delayed the enforcement of the [ban],” said Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “I voted against the chair’s ruling so that the underlying amendment could at least be taken up for consideration by the House.” Rep. Mark Cusack (D-Braintree) said the ruling of the chair is correct and that a delay in the ban and prevention of the ban are similar and under House rules only one can be considered. (A “Yes” vote is for the ruling of the chair that prohibits the admission to the House for debate and a vote, an amendment that would prevent the state from banning all gas-powered cars by 2035. A “No” vote is against the ruling of the chair and favors allowing the House to consider the amendment.) Rep. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Donald Wong No MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT (H 4000) House 30-126, rejected an amendment to the current law, known as the MBTA Communities Act, which according to the state’s website, requires that an MBTA community “must have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right and meets other criteria including minimum gross density of 15 units per acre; and a location not more than 1/2 mile from a commuter rail station, subway station, ferry terminal or bus station. No age restrictions can be applied and the district must be suitable for families with children.” Cities or towns that do not comply with the MBTA law are in danger of losing various state grants. The amendment would put the law on hold and not enforce it again until December 31, 2026. Amendment sponsor Rep. Ken Sweezey (R-Hanson) said the law should be put on hold in order to allow public hearings on several bills fi led to deal with this emergency. “[The] amendment addresses the emergency created by unfair enforcement of the MBTA Communities Act by this administration,” said Sweezey. “There are over 20 bills fi led pertaining to revisions to the law. I support the public hearing process and look forward to the work we continue to do to help our towns but wish more consideration would have been given to granting temporary relief through this amendment.” Rep Danielle Gregoire (R-Hanson) said the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the MBTA Communities Act is the law of the land and is constitutional. She said that 95 percent of communities subject to this law are in compliance or interim compliance. She noted that this law is reasonable and mandates zoning changes but it does not mandate that anyone build anything. (A “Yes” vote is for the delay until December 31, 2025. A “No” vote is against the delay.) Rep. Jessica Giannino No Rep. Donald Wong Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL STUDENT ID CARDS AND SUICIDE LINE (H 2221) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would require that newly printed student ID cards for public school students in grades 6-12 and students in public colleges, include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline phone numbers and text message numbers. The line directs all callers to trained call takers who are available to provide free, confidential emotional support for those in crisis. The measure allows schools that have a supply of unissued student identification cards that do not comply with this new requirement, to issue the old student identifi cation cards to students until the remaining supply is depleted. In 2024, the House and Senate approved diff erent versions of this bill, but the legislative session ended before the two sides could agree on a version. “Making suicide prevention resources more available and accessible will help ensure that every student is aware of the free, confi - dential resources that are available to them at any time,” said sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Framingham). “Since the 988 hotline was implemented in 2021, there has been massive increases in calls and texts — clearly showcasing the benefi ts and lifesaving support the hotline provides. Supporting this initiative is an essential part of providing young people with equitable access to critical resources, promoting help-seeking behaviors and de-stigmatizing mental health.” REMOVE FOOD DYES FROM SCHOOL FOOD (S 1531) – The Public Health Committee held a hearing on legislation that would prohibit public schools from selling food which contains any food dyes. A school would be permitted to sell any products that might contain any food dye only if the sale of the items takes place away from a school’s premises, occurs on a school’s premises at least one-half hour after the end of the school day or is at booster sales, concession stands or other school-related events. “Removing food dyes from the public school setting is a step toward ensuring the whole child is considered when it comes to education,” said sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Spencer). “Science continues to show the harmful impact of food dyes on children, especially when it comes to their ability to focus which is crucial to learning. The impact of this change would be minor to school districts but major for students who are impacted by these harmful chemicals.” ALLOW DOCTORS TO DISPENSE HEARING AIDS (H 367) – The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on a bill that would allow Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctors to dispense hearing aids by audiologists in the ENT doctor’s offi ce. Massachusetts is one BEACON | SEE PAGE 20 - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate and Family Court 36 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970 (978) 744-1020 Docket No. ES25P2679EA Estate of: WILLIAM JOSEPH MCNEILLY Also known as: WILLIAM J. MCNEILLY Jr., WILLIAM J. MCNEILLY Date of Death: 06/10/2025 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Adjudication of Intestacy and Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by Linda A. Murphy of Middleton, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: Linda A. Murphy of Middleton, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration. IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 10/06/2025. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: September 05, 2025 PAMELA A. CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE September 19, 2025

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