Transcript Highlights:

• It has the support of the entire town of Groton.
• It has the support of the entire town of Groton.
• It also has the support of DCR, support of the entire town of Groton.
• I'm chair of the Groton Trails Committee.
• Harry Rich State Forest in Groton.

Bills: H5113, H5076, H4972, H4917, H4700, S2896, S2961, S2933, H5141, H5140, H5139, S2877, H3920

Keywords: Marion Stoddart, riverwalk, J. Harry Rich State Forest, Groton, Nashua River, Nashua River Watershed Association, Massachusetts Clean Waters Act, Department of Conservation and Recreation, DCR, trail designation, state forest, conservation, environmental recognition, commemorative naming, signage, public lands, toxic pesticides, Eastham, environmental regulation, local control

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hearing on late-filed bills covering several environmental and local control issues. Rep. Scarsdale testified for H.5113, which would name an accessible trail in Groton the Marion Stoddard Riverwalk in honor of the activist who helped restore the Nashua River; Groton Trails Committee chair Paul Funch also supported the bill. Rep. Sweezy presented a package of Duxbury Beach bills: H.5141 on aligning state shorebird protections more closely with federal designations, H.5140 on creating parity among beaches for management tools, and H.5139 on requiring regular review of outdated recreational-use guidelines. Supporters said the bills would balance conservation with beach access and local economic needs, while some committee members asked about agency input and the relationship to federal habitat plans. A large portion of the hearing focused on home rule petitions allowing towns to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides and other pesticides. Testimony in support came from residents, wildlife rehabilitators, and advocacy groups, including Mass Audubon, Sierra Club, and Animal Defenders International, who described secondary poisoning of hawks, owls, eagles, and other wildlife, as well as risks to pets and children. Several speakers argued that local communities should be able to act where statewide legislation has stalled, and some noted that the statewide rodenticide bill had already been favorably reported earlier in the session. Opponents, including the New England Pest Management Association, argued that regulation should remain at the state level for consistency and because MDAR is reviewing the science and can better manage licensing and enforcement. The committee also heard support for S.2961, a Dighton bill authorizing use of a small portion of conservation land for public way purposes tied to replacement of the Pleasant Street Bridge, which proponents said would improve pedestrian and bicycle safety with minimal impact on conservation land. The hearing included some technical difficulties with virtual testimony, but the committee continued with in-person and online witnesses and then adjourned without taking any votes during the hearing itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1962, she moved to Groton, and right down from her house was the Nashua River, which is a tributary
• It has the support of the entire town of Groton.
• It also has the support of DCR, Support of the entire town of Groton.
• I'm chair of the Groton Trails Committee.
• Harry Rich State Forest in Groton.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a late-file hearing focused mainly on coastal access and wildlife protection bills, rodenticide restrictions, and a conservation land use bill. Chair Barbara House opened with technical notes and hearing rules, then Rep. Scarsdale testified for H. 5113, which would name an accessible trail in Groton the Marion Stoddard Riverwalk in honor of the environmental advocate who helped restore the Nashua River. Groton Trails Committee chair Paul Fung also supported the bill, describing the trail, educational signage, and DCR’s involvement. Rep. Sweezey then presented a package of Duxbury beach bills—H. 5141, H. 5140, and H. 5139—aimed at revising shorebird protections, creating parity among beaches, and requiring regular review of outdated recreational-use guidelines. He said the bills were developed with local and agency input to balance conservation and beach access, though he acknowledged some initial concerns from wildlife officials about the language in H. 5141. The committee also heard extensive testimony on local home-rule petitions to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides and other pesticides. Supporters included Grafton resident Shannon Phelan, Mass Audubon’s Heather Packard, Sen. Ford, Billerica resident William Jubin, Manchester-by-the-Sea resident Anne Harris, and Animal Defenders International’s Drew McCormick. They argued the poisons cause secondary poisoning in owls, hawks, eagles, and other wildlife, can harm pets and livestock, and are increasingly ineffective; several speakers urged local authority because statewide action has been slow. Opponents included Molly Moran of the New England Pest Management Association, who argued regulation should remain at the state level through MDAR to avoid a patchwork of local rules and noted the agency is already reviewing the issue. Additional testimony from Stephanie Ellis, Laura Kelly, Chris Powicki, Cecily Miller, and others supported Eastham and Truro pesticide-reduction petitions, citing wildlife losses, groundwater concerns, and the need for local control. Finally, the committee heard S. 2961 from Dighton town counsel Matthew Costa, which would authorize use of a small portion of conservation land for public way purposes tied to replacement of the Pleasant Street Bridge. Costa said the easements are needed for safety improvements, including a wider bridge deck, sidewalk, guardrail replacement, and erosion controls, and that the affected conservation area is limited and of little natural-resource value. The hearing ended after testimony on these bills, with no votes taken during the session and the committee adjourning at the close of testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if this fails, it will be catastrophic for Groton and Dunstable.
• I am vice chair of the Groton Select Board and a former member of the Groton-Dunstable Regional School
• I am vice chair of the Groton Select Board and a former member of the Groton Dunstable Regional School
• I am a resident of Groton, Massachusetts, which is a member of the Groton-Dunstable Regional School Committee
• And Groton is not a question of mismanagement or frivolous spending or something.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators. A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs. Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually. School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1962, she moved to Groton, and right down from her house was the Nashua River, which is a tributary
• So over the past several years, the town of Groton, led by a gentleman named Paul Funch, has designed
• It has the support of the entire town of Groton.
• I'm chair of the Groton Trails Committee.
• Harry Rich State Forest in Groton.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hearing on several late-file bills and home rule petitions, with testimony focused mainly on coastal access and wildlife management, rodenticide restrictions, and a local land-use request. Rep. Scarsdale testified for H.5113, which would name an accessible trail in Groton’s J. Harry Rich State Forest the Marion Stoddard River Walk in honor of the activist who helped restore the Nashua River. Groton Trails Committee chair Paul Fung also supported the bill, describing the trail, educational signs, and DCR’s involvement. Rep. Sweezey presented a package of Duxbury Beach bills—H.5141, H.5140, and H.5139—intended to align state shorebird protections more closely with federal standards, create parity in beach management tools, and require periodic review of outdated recreational-use guidelines; he said the bills were developed with local and agency input and aimed to balance conservation with beach access. A large portion of the hearing concerned local petitions to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides and other pesticides. Supporters from Mass Audubon, Sierra Club, Animal Defenders International, wildlife rehabilitation groups, and residents from towns including Grafton, Billerica, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Eastham, and Truro argued that these poisons harm raptors and other non-target wildlife through secondary poisoning, persist in the environment, and are increasingly ineffective. Several speakers said local town meetings had approved the restrictions and urged favorable reports on the petitions. Opponents, including a representative of the New England Pest Management Association, argued that regulation should remain at the state level under MDAR to avoid a patchwork of local rules and noted that the agency was already reviewing rodenticide regulations. Committee members asked questions about agency consultation, the relationship between state and federal bird listings, and how local beach rules would work in practice. The committee also heard testimony on H.4700 and related local pesticide-reduction petitions for Eastham and Truro, with witnesses describing groundwater concerns, pesticide drift, and wildlife impacts. Finally, the committee took testimony on S.2961, a Dighton bill authorizing the use of a small portion of conservation land for public way purposes to replace the Pleasant Street Bridge and add pedestrian and bicycle accommodations; the witness said the affected area was limited and necessary for safety improvements. The hearing ended after testimony concluded, with the chair turning the gavel over and the committee adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, that Groton, Connecticut, is the submarine capital of the world, full stop. Period.
• Speaker, Groton is the yard where the first of the Columbia-class SSBNs, USS District of Columbia, is
• The overall goal is 8,000 new workers in 2026, 3,400 in Rhode Island, 4,600 in Groton.
• SPEAKER, THAT GROTON, CONNECTICUT IS THE SUBMARINE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, FULL STOP. PERIOD.
• THE OVERALL GOAL IS 8000 NEW WORKERS IN 2026, 3400 IN RHODE ISLAND, 4600 IN GROTON.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill H-5542 and Senate Bill S-3118, which is an act providing for the filling of a vacancy on the Groton-Dunstable
• I'm here to speak on the same bill, S-3118, an act providing for the filling of a vacancy on the Groton-Dunstable
• The bill seeks to address the inadvertent omission of a Groton-Dunstable Regional School District Committee
• Along with the Dunstable Select Board, both the Groton-Dunstable Regional School Committee and the Dunstable

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill H-5542 and Senate Bill S-3118, which is an act providing for the filling of a vacancy on the Groton-Dunstable
• I'm here to speak on the same bill, S-3118, an act providing for the filling of a vacancy on the Groton-Dunstable
• The bill seeks to address the inadvertent omission of a Groton-Dunstable Regional School District Committee
• Along with the Dunstable Select Board, both the Groton-Dunstable Regional School Committee and the Select

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a public hearing on several local bills affecting Plymouth, Dunstable/Groton-Dunstable, Shrewsbury, Danvers, and the Town of Berry. Committee chairs reviewed hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, livestreaming, and written testimony submission, and noted members joining in person and online. No votes were taken on the bills themselves during the hearing. Representative Michelle Badger testified in support of H.5497 for Plymouth, which would let the town move its annual spring town meeting and local elections to a later date so budget decisions can be made with more complete information about the state budget and state aid. Lacey McCabe and Dunstable Town Administrator Jason Silva supported S.3118/H.5542, which would address an election error that left a Groton-Dunstable Regional School Committee seat off the ballot and allow the vacancy to be filled for the full three-year term rather than only a one-year appointment. Kevin Mizikar supported H.5512 for Shrewsbury, which would allow digital postings to serve as official legal notices for procurement instead of requiring newspaper publication. Senator Lovely, Danvers Town Manager Jill Cahill, and Representative Kearns testified for H.5571, describing it as an update to Danvers’ town meeting act with precinct changes, moderator-election provisions, and other governance revisions approved locally. Kearns said the bill followed a year-long review and included largely housekeeping and modernization changes. John Chase testified against H.5577 for the Town of Berry, arguing that eliminating the DPW board would reduce oversight and concentrate too much power, though he noted the highway superintendent now has a signed MOU. The hearing ended after the chair asked for and received a motion to adjourn, which was approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have three school districts: Lunenburg, Groton, and Dunstable will also be testifying today.
• as well as the parent of two kids in the Groton-Dunstable School District.
• The parent of two kids in the Groton-Dunstable School District.
• My husband and I have lived in Groton for nearly 50 years. We're both retired educators.
• This inequity in funding is hollowing out our schools in Groton and Dunstable.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Dunstable in support of Senate Bill 3118, an act providing for the filling of a vacancy on the Groton-Dunstable
• of Dunstable, in support of Senate Bill 3118, an act providing for the filling of a vacancy on the Groton-Dunstable
• The bill seeks to address the inadvertent omission of a Groton-Dunstable Regional School District Committee
• Along with the Dunstable Select Board, both the Groton Select Board and the Groton-Dunstable Regional
• I'm testifying relative to House Bill 5542, an act providing for the filling of a vacancy on the Groton-Dunstable

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Fiera Brothers Bridge, House No. 4723, and the House bill amending the charter of the town of Groton
• Chelmsford as the Fiera Brothers Bridge, House No. 4723, and an act amending the charter of the town of Groton
• An act amending the charter of the town of Groton, House No. 4795.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House briefly recessed, then took up a message from the Governor recommending legislation to validate certain proceedings of the town of Stowe; the matter was referred to the Committee on Election Laws. The House also adopted a resolution recognizing the Asian American community’s Lunar New Year celebration on February 17, 2026, with remarks describing the cultural significance of the holiday and the Year of the Horse. The chamber then approved a series of routine orders extending committee reporting deadlines, including for the Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, Education, Housing, Labor and Workforce Development, Municipalities and Regional Government, and Revenue committees. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 for two petitions, one concerning the sale of parrots and another concerning consumer protections for low-valued legal tender scarcity. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported several bills for House consideration, including measures on veteran property tax workoff amounts, infectious disease-related health impairment, Worcester Regional Retirement System quorum rules, senior property tax exemptions and related local tax relief, a Leominster civil service exemption for certain police positions, a Chelmsford bridge naming, and a Groton charter amendment; the House suspended Rule 7A, read the bills for a second time, and ordered them to a third reading. On final action, the House passed to be enacted a bill amending the Agawam charter and a bill authorizing Arlington to place a ballot question on increasing off-premises alcohol licenses. It also engrossed a bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for Angel G. Rivera and a bill providing for a town administrator in Hopkinton. The House then adopted an order to meet the following Thursday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Dunstable in support of Senate Bill 3118, an act providing for the filling of a vacancy on the Groton-Dunstable
• The bill seeks to address the inadvertent omission of a Groton-Dunstable Regional School District Committee
• Along with the Dunstable Select Board, both the Groton Select Board and Groton-Dunstable Regional School
• I'm testifying relative to House Bill 5542, an act providing for the filling of a vacancy on the Groton-Dunstable

Summary: The committee held a hearing on several late-file local bills, with testimony focused mainly on municipal governance and election-related home rule petitions. Representative Silver supported H.5556 for a Fall River polling place change, saying the locations were reviewed by the Secretary of State’s office and supported locally to improve accessibility, especially for voters with disabilities. Testimony also supported H.5539 for Danvers recall elections and S.3118/H.5542 concerning the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District, where witnesses said a candidate was improperly left off the ballot due to an administrative error and should be allowed to fill the full three-year term. Most of the hearing centered on H.5521, Sudbury’s recall-election petition. Supporters argued the measure was lawfully adopted at a heavily attended special town meeting, reflected local self-government, and provided an accountability tool for elected officials. They emphasized that recall provisions are common in Massachusetts and said the bill’s safeguards, including signature thresholds and election procedures, were reasonable. Several Sudbury residents and former officials described the meeting as well-publicized and broadly participatory, and urged the committee to respect the town vote. Opponents, including the Sudbury League of Women Voters, former officials, and residents, argued the bill was rushed, lacked public review, and should go through a fuller charter process. They objected to the absence of stated grounds for recall, the low 10% signature threshold, the short three-month waiting period, and the simultaneous successor-election feature. One witness asked that the bill be sent for further study rather than approved as written. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed by inviting written testimony and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of the bill: an act amending the charter for the town of Groton, House No. 4795.
• An act amending the charter for the town of Groton, House number 4795.

Summary: The House took up several committee reports and routine matters. The Rules Committee recommended adoption of congratulatory resolutions for Wesley Harville Fry’s Eagle Scout rank, Tri Valley, Inc.’s 50th anniversary, and Edward D. Desmond’s 100th birthday; the House suspended the rules and adopted them. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 on a petition concerning retirement benefits for Julia Flannery, surviving spouse of the Honorable Francis Frannoy, sending it to the Committee on Public Service. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee reported several bills for House consideration, including a killed-in-the-line-of-duty benefit for Joanne Sonji, surviving spouse of Detective John D. Sanji of Rutland; local tax exemption measures for Grafton and Wellfleet; and local alcohol license bills for Marion and Oxford. The House suspended Rule 7A, took the bills through second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The House then enacted several engrossed bills, including a Stowe town meeting validation bill, autism-related police interaction legislation, accidental death benefits for a Boston firefighter’s surviving spouse, charter changes for Lawn Meadow and Falmouth, a senior property tax exemption for Reading, and affordable housing/cultural space legislation for Brighton. On House No. 4795, the Groton charter bill, Representative Walsh offered and the House adopted an amendment striking the word “assistant” from a charter provision, after which the bill was passed to be engrossed as amended. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Harry Rich State Forest in the Town of Groton as the Marion Stoddart River Walk. Thank you. J.
• Harry Rich State Forest in the Town of Groton as the Marion Stoddart River Walk.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several procedural orders from the Committee on Rules extending reporting deadlines for the Education, Mental Health/Substance Use/Recovery, and Revenue committees, and each order was adopted after suspension of the rules. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to be referred, including measures on consumer-connected devices, a trail designation in Groton, beach and habitat management, genetic discrimination in insurance, and antitrust enforcement. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported a slate of bills for House consideration, including measures on Taunton water billing, public insurance adjusters, electronic filing for property valuation forms, tax payment interest rates, local property tax exemptions in Milton and Marblehead, a tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a Rentham deputy chief, and West Tisbury’s affordable housing trust fund. The House ordered these bills to a third reading after suspending Rule 7A. The House then passed several engrossed bills to be enacted, including local measures on Boston police age waivers, Bridgewater town council stipends and town manager procedures, and a Cambridge employment and job training trust. Later, the House concurred in a Senate amendment to the Rockland charter bill, passed a Wellesley property tax deferral bill and a Harrell police civil service age-waiver bill to be engrossed, and adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Scarsdale for legislation to designate the Marion-Started Riverwalk in the town of Groton, reports the
• Skosdale for legislation to designate the Marion-started riverwalk in the town of Groton, reports the

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial recognitions, including a tribute to the Oliver Ames boys cross country team and girls volleyball team for winning state championships, and a resolution honoring the 175th anniversary of the YMCA in Massachusetts. The chamber also observed a memorial adjournment for Sherry S. Mattel of Brookline, with remarks highlighting her long record of public service, including work with the League of Women Voters, Brookline Town Meeting, and local school and civic organizations. On legislative business, the Senate gave final passage to several local measures, including bills waiving maximum age requirements for two Boston police officer applicants, setting an annual stipend for Bridgewater town council members, addressing temporary absence and appointment powers for the Bridgewater town manager, and establishing the Cambridge Employment and Job Training Trust. The Senate also passed to be enacted a bill on maintenance of private roads in Gloucester, a bill expanding financial eligibility for Williamstown’s senior property tax exemption, and a bill allowing Rochester to continue employing Fire Chief Scott Weigel. The chamber also took up a petition to designate the Marion-Started Riverwalk in Groton, suspending Senate Rule 36 and Joint Rule 12 before referring the matter to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Additional House petitions were referred to committees under suspension of Joint Rule 12. The Senate adopted an order to meet again on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in formal session with the calendar, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas the construction of the Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Arizona, SSN-803, in Groton
• , Connecticut... ...USS Arizona, SSN-803, in Groton, Connecticut, marks the first naval vessel to bear

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mariano of Groton now moves that the House stands adjourned. All those in favor say aye.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House convened briefly, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several visiting groups and individual honorees, including students from France and Northbridge High School basketball standout Molly Gahan. The House also received a gubernatorial supplemental appropriations message for fiscal year 2025, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and a message validating the results of a special election in Hardwick, referred to the Committee on Election Laws. The Committee on Rules reported several resolutions for adoption, including commendations for Richard T. Herody, the IBS patient support group’s recognition of World IBS Day, and Anticoagulation Forum, Inc.’s recognition of Hypertension Awareness Month. The House suspended the rules and adopted those resolutions. The Rules Committee of the two branches also recommended suspending Joint Rule 12 on several petitions, including bills on pet shop sales of certain animals, spouses serving as MassHealth caregivers, and utility services; the House agreed to suspend the rule and referred the petitions to the appropriate committees. After a brief recess, the House adopted an order to adjourn to meet again Monday at 11:30 a.m. in informal session, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of the bill: an act amending the charter for the town of Groton, House Bill 4795.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with routine ceremonial and committee business, including adoption of congratulatory resolutions for an Eagle Scout, Tri Valley, Inc.’s 50th anniversary, and a 100th birthday recognition. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to send a petition concerning retirement benefits for Julia Flannery, surviving spouse of the Honorable Francis Frannoy, to the Committee on Public Service. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported several bills for House consideration, including a line-of-duty death benefit for the surviving spouse of Detective John D. Sanji, local tax exemption measures for Grafton and Wellfleet, and local alcohol license bills for Marion and Oxford. The House suspended Joint Rule 7A, then ordered these bills to a third reading. The House then passed several engrossed bills to be enacted, including measures on autism-related police interactions, accidental death benefits for a Boston firefighter’s surviving spouse, town charter changes, a Reading senior property tax exemption, an appointed town clerk in Falmouth, and affordable housing/cultural space in Boston’s Brighton section. House Bill 4795, amending the Groton charter, was amended on the floor to strike references to “assistant” in a charter provision and then passed to be engrossed as amended. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn to Wednesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of the bill: an act amending the charter for the town of Groton, House Bill 4795.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Scarsdale and Vanna Howard for legislation to provide for the filling of vacancies on the Groton-Dunstable

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Scarsdale and Vanna Howard for legislation to provide for the filling of vacancies on the Groton-Dunstable

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then received a gubernatorial message recommending fiscal year 2027 appropriations legislation, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee on Rules reported and the House adopted a resolution honoring Transition House on its 50 years of service to survivors of domestic violence and their families. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 for two filed petitions: one concerning vacancies on the Groton-Dunstable School Committee and another establishing a sick leave bank for an employee of the Department of Public Health. The House then took up several engrossed bills and emergency preambles, including Senate 2908 and Senate 3031/House 31, both of which received the required separate emergency preamble votes and were adopted 5-0. The chamber also passed to enactment House 4203 and House 4204, both relating to the election of candidates in Haverhill, and House 5096, which extends the period for Southbridge to grant additional on-premises alcohol licenses. Later, the House concurred in a Senate amendment to House 4137 authorizing Wayland to establish a Millennium Fund for the Whalen Free Public Library. It also adopted an amendment substituting House 5531 for House 4614 concerning James J. O'Neill Park, and then passed the bill to be engrossed as amended. The session included a citation recognizing the Sandwich High School Lady Blue Knights girls varsity lacrosse team as 2026 MIAA Division IV-A state champions, with remarks spread upon the record. The House adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and then adjourned to an informal session.