Video & Transcript Research : 'Haverhill'

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Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 3rd, 2026

Joint Committee on Public Service

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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Informal House Session 83 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the order filed by Representatives Vargas of Haverhill and
  • Hong of Lowell, Filed by Representatives Vargas of Haverhill and Hong of Lowell, relative to extending
  • Castanada to take the civil service examination for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
  • Castanada to take the civil service examination for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
  • Castanada to take the civil service examination for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports. It adopted resolutions commending Plymouth on becoming the 451st International City of Peace and honoring the Massachusetts Pain Initiative for recognizing September 2025 as Pain Awareness Month. The House also adopted orders extending reporting deadlines for the committees on Community Development and Small Businesses, Education, Environment and Natural Resources, Health Care Financing, and Telecommunications, Utility, and Energy. The chamber concurred in a Senate referral sending a petition on modernizing permitting for certain transportation loads to the Committee on Transportation. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 for several petitions, including proposals on pipe-fitting exemptions, Hispanic-serving institutions in higher education, and adding bone marrow and organ donation to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program. The House then approved a slate of bills for consideration, including measures on gender-neutral election-law language, several Haverhill civil service exemptions, improved headlight safety, a Natick civil service exemption, and a sick leave bank for Aidan Daniels. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave second reading and ordered several bills to a third reading. It then passed to engrossment local bills concerning the Natick town home rule charter, Rochester governance, and Leicester stabilization funds. On House No. 3392, designating September as PCOS Awareness Month, the House adopted an emergency preamble amendment offered by Representative Walsh and then passed the bill as amended to engrossment. The House also observed a moment of silent tribute requested by Representative Jones for political activist Charlie Kirk, with remarks condemning the killing and calling for civil discourse. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned accordingly.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Informal House Session 20 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Rob Cargill to take the civil service examination for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • Rob Cargill to take the civil service examination for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • Sean Duffy to take the civil service examination for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • Rob Cargill to take the civil service examination for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • Sean Duffy to take the civil service examination for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The House began with committee reports and adopted several resolutions and orders without objection after suspending the rules. These included commendations for the New England Hemophilia Association and congratulations to an Eagle Scout, as well as extensions of reporting deadlines for the Committees on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery and on Revenue. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling also reported a slate of bills for House consideration, including measures designating Fred Korematsu Day, authorizing several named individuals to take firefighter civil service exams or continue public safety employment despite age limits, creating Agent Orange Awareness Day, and addressing housing court jurisdiction. The House then suspended Rule 7A, took second readings on the scheduled bills, and ordered them to a third reading. The chamber also considered House Bill 4643, authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to convey a parcel of land in Stoneham; the emergency preamble was adopted by a recorded division vote, and the bill later passed to be enacted. House Bill 4763, validating the results of a Bourne town election, passed to be engrossed, and House Bill 4962, establishing a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee, was amended to add an emergency preamble and then passed to be engrossed as amended. In final actions, House Bill 3898, amending the charter of the town of Natick, passed to be enacted. The House also adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned to meet in informal session at that time.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Stephen Justice from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • Stephen Justice from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • act exempting Brittany Spruill from the maximum age requirement for firefighters in the city of Haverhill
  • Brittany Spruill from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • exempting Freddie Castanita from the maximum age requirement for a police officer in the city of Haverhill
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate took up several local and special legislation items and adopted them without recorded opposition. Bills were passed to be enacted directing the Boston Police Department to waive maximum age requirements for three individuals, and resolutions were adopted congratulating several Eagle Scouts and recognizing Dr. Linda Saris’s retirement. The chamber also adopted a Rules Committee order extending the Judiciary Committee’s reporting deadline to June 30, 2026, and advanced Senate No. 2120, which removes the term “hearing impaired” from the General Laws, to third reading. The Senate then considered a series of bills on the Orders of the Day and passed them to be engrossed, including a bill regulating petitions for special town meetings in Andover, several Haverhill public safety age-waiver bills for firefighter and police positions, a bill changing Williamsburg’s Board of Selectmen to Select Board, and a bill making the Chicopee city charter gender neutral. Senators also briefly discussed the Judiciary Committee extension order, with Senator Edwards explaining it was needed to continue working through pending bills and negotiations. The chamber adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Teresa Basil of East Boston, with senators offering remarks about her life, family, faith, and community impact. The Senate then adopted an order to reconvene the following Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in a formal session and adjourned.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Informal House Session 31 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Brittany Spruill from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • Freddie Castanita from the maximum age requirement for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
  • Kenneth Navarro to take the civil service examination for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • Kenneth Navarro to take the civil service examination for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • Rob Cargill to take the civil service examination for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of resolutions honoring William B. O’Leary on his 100th birthday, congratulating Ethan Ho on earning Eagle Scout rank, and celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Paul’s Church of Palmer. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolutions. It also concurred with a Senate referral of a petition concerning retirement benefits for Alec Simonello to the Committee on Public Service. The House then considered local bills reported by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures concerning an excise on parking space transfers in Salem, expanded senior property tax abatements in Auburn, a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Sudbury, and land acquisition/disposition in Falmouth. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave these bills second and third readings and ordered them to a third reading. The chamber also passed to enactment several engrossed bills, including firefighter and police age-exemption bills for Haverhill, a Williamsburg board-name change to select board, a Sandwich overpass memorial designation, and a Chicopee charter change to gender-neutral language. The House then acted on additional third-reading bills, passing to enactment a bill allowing Kenneth Navarro to take the Haverhill firefighter exam despite the maximum age requirement, and passing to engrossment bills for William Rob Cargill’s firefighter exam eligibility and special meetings of the Holyoke City Council. On Senate Bill 1859, concerning retirement for Walter L. Gerton, Representative Walsh offered and the House adopted an amendment substituting text from House Document 5331, after which the bill was passed to engrossment as amended. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.
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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm Attorney Paul Magliocchetti here on behalf of the Haverhill School Committee.
  • Haverhill has over 70% high-need students.
  • I'm curious: do you happen to know in Haverhill the total net school spending?
  • So because of these different consequences, the city of Haverhill is maxed out.
  • Davis over next door in Haverhill. That’s great timing. Good afternoon.
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.
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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Informal House Session 21 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the order filed by Representatives Vargas of Haverhill and
  • Jonathan Gagney to take the civil service exam for the position of police officer in the City of Haverhill
  • Jonathan Gagney to take the civil service examination for the position of police officer in the City of Haverhill
  • Jonathan Gagney to take the civil service examination for the position of police officer in the City of Haverhill
  • Jonathan Gagney to take the civil service examination for the position of police officer in the City of Haverhill
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters. It adopted an order extending the reporting deadline for a Community Development and Small Business matter to March 18, 2026, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow two petitions to be referred: one on medication administration in rest homes and another on concealment of the death of a child born out of wedlock. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling also recommended a slate of bills for House consideration, including measures on Building Trades Recovery Week, accidental death benefits for a former Boston firefighter’s surviving spouse, recess for elementary and middle school students, satisfaction of money judgments, police age-waiver matters for Jose Reyes and Jonathan Gagney, and advertising for justices of the peace. The House suspended Rule 7A to proceed with these matters. The chamber then advanced the listed bills through second reading and ordered seven of them to a third reading. It also passed House No. 4502, amending the Town Manager Act of Arlington, to be enacted. Several bills released from the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading were then taken up: House No. 4740, waiving the maximum age requirement for a Boston police officer applicant, and House No. 4817, authorizing an additional all-alcoholic-beverages license in Pembroke, both passed to be engrossed. House No. 5014, establishing a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix of the Department of Transitional Assistance, was amended on the floor to change wording and add an emergency preamble, then passed to be engrossed as amended. The House also adopted an order to adjourn and concluded by adjourning to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.
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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 23rd, 2026

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • taken out of the Orders of the Day: An act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill
  • Third reading of the bill: An act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill,
  • taken out of the Orders of the Day: An act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill
  • The Orders of the Day: An act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill, House
  • Third reading of a bill: An act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill, House
Keywords: 1212, all
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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Informal House Session 105 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • . - House Bill 3, providing for the election of candidates in the City of Haverhill, local approval received
  • . - House Bill 4404, providing for the election of candidates in the City of Haverhill, local approval
  • Marnie's Law, House Bill 2489. - An act providing for the election of candidates in the City of Haverhill
  • , House Bill 4203. - An act providing for the election of candidates in the City of Haverhill, House
  • An act providing for the election of candidates in the City of Haverhill, House Bill 4204.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then concurred with a Senate referral of a petition by Joan B. Lovely to study discrimination in public accommodations for individuals with service animals, sending it to the Committee on Consumer, Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 for two petitions by Adam J. Scanlon: one asking CHIA to analyze eliminating or capping copays for mental and behavioral health services, and another concerning no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals, referring them to the appropriate committees. The House then took up a slate of bills recommended by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee and, after suspending Rule 7A, ordered several to third reading. These included Marnie’s Law on inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, Haverhill election bills, a New Salem election validation bill, Plymouth charter and digital legal notice bills, a Nantucket charter gender-neutrality bill, and a Nantucket land conveyance bill. The House also separately suspended Rule 7A for House Bill 2614 on medical parole and ordered it to third reading. On final passage, the House passed House Bill 4249 on vital statistics to be reenacted, adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 3388 designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day and for House Bill 1024 concerning sewer service in Sharon, and passed House Bill 23/Senate Bill 23 on alternate members to the Squabskine Conservation Commission. The House also engrossed Senate Bill 1830 on continued employment for Herbert A. Chafee II in Brookfield, House Bill 4109 on harbor line changes in New Bedford Harbor, and House Bill 4524 renaming Williamsburg’s Board of Selectmen as the Select Board. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House standing adjourned to meet Wednesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.
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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Formal House Session 28 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The gentleman from Haverhill talked about Commonwealth, but one of four commonwealths in the country.
  • I also want to recognize the gentleman from Lynn, Springfield, and Haverhill for their diligence and
  • Speaker, the gentleman from the North End, the gentleman from Lynn, the gentleman from Haverhill, the
  • I'm grateful to the Speaker, the gentleman from Lynn, the gentleman from Haverhill, and the entire Black
  • I want to thank the gentleman from Springfield, Leader Gonzalez, and the gentleman from Haverhill, Chair
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The House first handled several routine matters, including adoption of a birthday resolution honoring Caroline San Martino Moran and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition involving the City of Waltham and the Veterans Memorial Rink. It also advanced two local bills: one authorizing DCAMM to release a sewer line easement in West Roxbury, and another relative to the town administrator of Carlisle. Both bills were amended by Ways and Means and ordered to third reading or engrossed as amended. The chamber also passed a memorial-marker bill for fallen law enforcement officers in Milton and Canton. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 5305, the “Protect Act,” which was presented as a measure to limit state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, restrict ICE access in courthouses and other sensitive locations, strengthen notice and language-access protections for detainees and workers, and expedite U and T visa certifications. Supporters, including members of the Black and Latino Caucus and other legislators, argued the bill would protect due process, encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, preserve public trust, and keep local police focused on criminal matters. They cited courthouse arrests, fear in immigrant communities, and the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal authority. Several amendments were offered and voted on during consideration of H.5305. An amendment to strike Section 4 was rejected, as were amendments seeking to alter the courthouse enforcement provisions and to recognize immigration judge warrants. Other amendments were adopted, including one clarifying sheriff-related provisions, one expanding language around release dates, one adding protections related to school settings, and one expediting U visa certification for family members aging out. A roll call was taken on the bill and on multiple amendments, with the House ultimately adopting the amendments described and continuing consideration of the bill as amended.
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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Informal House Session 95 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Stephen Justice from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • exempting Javier Vargas from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • an act exempting Britney Sproll from the maximum age requirement for firefighters in the city of Haverhill
  • House No. 2987. ...from the maximum age requirement for firefighters in the city of Haverhill.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The House opened with a pledge of allegiance and adopted a series of ceremonial resolutions, including one honoring the Friends of the Somerset Public Library for National Friends of Libraries Week. Members also suspended the rules to take up a report from the Committee on Rules, which recommended suspending Joint Rule 12 on a Watertown petition concerning property tax classifications for fiscal year 2027 and later; the House approved that suspension and referred the petition to the Committee on Revenue. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then reported several local bills for House consideration, including measures for Swampscott, Marblehead, Greenfield, Randolph, Williamsburg, and a bill authorizing alternate members to the Swampscott Conservation Commission. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave these bills second reading and ordered them to a third reading. The House also took up three Haverhill firefighter age-exemption bills for Stephen Justice, Javier Vargas, and Britney Sproll, and passed each to be engrossed. Later, the House enacted H. 1596, as amended, establishing a sick leave bank for Anna C. Contreras, a Trial Court employee. The chamber then adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time.
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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Justice from the maximum age requirement for appointment to the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • exempting Javier Vargas from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • Britain Spruill from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter in the city of Haverhill
  • Freddie Castaneda from the maximum age requirement for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a recognition by Senator Driscoll of a Milton team that won its first Division II state championship, finishing 25-1-1 and defeating King Philip 2-1 at TD Garden. He thanked the players, captains Sabrina Stone and Marin Hart, and the coaching staff for the achievement. The chamber then took up several local bills on final passage, including firefighter and police age exemptions for individuals in Haverhill, a memorial overpass designation in Sandwich, a name change for the Williamsburg Board of Selectmen to Select Board, and a gender-neutral charter change for Chicopee. The Senate passed these bills to be enacted, and they were sent to the Governor. The Senate also adopted a resolution celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Paul’s Church of Palmer. In committee and procedural business, the Public Health Committee reported a bill related to protecting Massachusetts public health from PFAS substances and referred it to Ways and Means. The Ways and Means Committee reported a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill with a substitute text, and the Senate adopted an order placing it on the Orders of the Day for second reading on April 9, 2026, with amendment rules specified. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition naming the American lobster the official crustacean of the Commonwealth to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The Senate adopted an order to reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m., dispensed with printing a calendar, and then adjourned.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Nick Santos from the maximum wage requirement for the position of police officer in the City of Haverhill
  • Anthony Morales from the maximum wage requirement for the position of police officer in the City of Haverhill
  • Nick Santos from the maximum wage requirement for the position of police officer in the City of Haverhill
  • Anthony Morales from the maximum wage requirement for the position of police officer in the City of Haverhill
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two congratulatory resolutions: one for Andrew Labovitz on attaining Eagle Scout rank and one for Joseph P. Nickerson, Sr. on his 100th birthday. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 on several petitions, sending them to their respective committees. The Senate then advanced several local and committee-reported bills. It passed to be engrossed a Scituate parking fines bill and a Cambridge parking enforcement bill, the latter after adopting a Brownsberger amendment that replaced the bill text with Senate No. 3105. The Senate Ways and Means Committee reported favorably, with new drafts, on the Toxic Free Medical Devices Act and a bill advancing the profession of commercial interior design; in both cases, the Senate suspended rules, adopted the committee amendments, and ordered the bills to a third reading. On final passage, the Senate enacted a Tewksbury charter amendment changing the town manager residency requirement and two Haverhill bills exempting Nick Santos and Anthony Morales from the maximum wage requirement for police officers. All three were passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. in formal session and to dispense with printing a calendar, then adjourned.
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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 23rd, 2026

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • An act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill, House No. 4203.
  • Third reading of the bill: An act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill,
  • An act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill, House No. 4204.
  • Third reading of a bill: An act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill, House
Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and recognized guests from the United Kingdom Mission and England Fans Embassy ahead of the England-Ghana World Cup match. The chamber then took up several matters for final passage, including bills on Worcester police officer age requirements and North Adams retired police officers serving as special police for paid details; both were passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also received House action on the Senate’s resilience bill, S. 3064, which the House had amended by striking all after the enacting clause and inserting a new text. Senator Durant moved nonconcurrence and a committee of conference, and the chair appointed Senators Cyr, Rausch, and Durant to the conference committee. The Senate adopted resolutions congratulating Eddie Palladino on his retirement from MassDOT and commending Plymouth on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and it suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committee. On third reading, the Senate adopted an amendment replacing S. 2120 with a new draft removing the term “hearing impaired” from the General Laws, and then passed the bill to be engrossed. It also passed to be engrossed three local bills concerning Haverhill election procedures and a Southbridge alcohol licensing extension. Finally, the Senate adopted an order setting expedited consideration of the House energy and clean power bill, H. 5175, with Ways and Means new text S.D. 3143, and adopted an order to reconvene the following Thursday at 11 a.m. before adjourning.
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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Informal House Session 37 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Third reading of the bill: an act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill,
  • An act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill, House No. 4203.
  • Third reading of the bill: an act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill,
  • An act providing for the election of candidates in the city of Haverhill, House No. 4204.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The House opened with ceremonial recognitions, including the United States of Wales girls swim team for its third consecutive state championship, the Weston High School girls indoor track team for its state title, and students visiting from the Squantum Schools. The chamber then adopted a resolution honoring Carl F. Kowalski of Whitman for more than 40 years of public service after suspending the rules. The House also took up a Senate amendment to the fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill, House No. 528. After suspending the rules, the House voted not to concur with the Senate amendment and instead agreed to appoint a committee of conference. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then recommended several bills for immediate consideration, including measures on Milton school land timing, tolling reform, LIHEAP automatic re-enrollment, Massachusetts identification cards, Quincy public safety records, and parity among Massachusetts beaches; the House suspended Rule 7A, ordered them to third reading, and advanced them. On third reading, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to House No. 4259, designating the Weeder Park tennis courts as the Kim O'Connell tennis courts. It then passed to be engrossed bills on Haverhill election procedures (House Nos. 4203 and 4204), extending Dalton Fire District interim fire chief employment (House No. 4321), and regulating elections in Conway (House No. 4498). Finally, the House took up the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill, House No. 5500, but postponed further consideration until April 27, adopted an order to meet the following Tuesday at 11 a.m., and adjourned.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Without objection, another matter out of the orders of the day, pertaining to the town of Haverhill:
  • House No. 4390, pertaining to the town of Haverhill.
  • exempting Nick Santos from the maximum age requirement for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
  • matter out of the orders of the day, without objection: House No. 4442, pertaining to the town of Haverhill
  • Anthony Morales from the maximum age requirement for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate first took up several local bills and resolutions. It amended and passed to be engrossed Senate No. 1831, providing line-of-duty death benefits for the surviving spouse of Detective John DeSongy of Rutland, and passed to be engrossed House bills concerning police officer age requirements in Haverhill, Newton, and Stoneham, including exemptions for named individuals and a local age-waiver measure. The chamber also adopted congratulatory resolutions for the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary and for the Italian Consulate in Boston on Italian National Day. The Senate then considered House No. 5501, the fiscal year 2027 state budget, after the House nonconcurred in the Senate’s amendment and appointed conferees. On motion, the Senate insisted on its amendment and appointed a committee of conference. The chamber also referred a House petition on a temporary liquor-license/public-consumption pilot to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology after suspending Joint Rule 12. A major floor debate centered on Senate No. 3104, a resolution responding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s May 7, 2026 order regarding the State Auditor’s request for Senate financial records. Supporters said the resolution would provide records in the clarified scope while preserving constitutional objections to broader requests; opponents argued the Senate should comply more fully and seek the court’s guidance earlier. After a roll call, the resolution was adopted 33-6. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of William F. “Bill” Howard of Beverly and adjourned until the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.
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Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm

Transcript Highlights:
  • Hi, I am Andrea Morris, the director of the Family Support Center at the Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport
  • Great of Haverhill-Newburyport. And our agency is a subaward on the grant.
  • is, as Andrea mentioned, a partnership between ...the ICI at UMass Boston and the Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport
  • And I think through the Arc at Haverhill and a couple other subcommittees, or even just Arc of Haverhill
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Employment Subcommittee of the Permit Commission on Status of Persons with Disabilities met on April 27 and approved the prior meeting minutes before hearing a presentation from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment (LPTE). Presenters from UMass Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion, the Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport, Northeast, and Lawrence Public Schools described LPTE as a five-year grant focused on improving transition outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lawrence through community partnerships, work groups, and family engagement. A major focus was a family survey designed to better understand barriers to transition planning and IEP participation. Presenters said the survey response rate increased sharply after Lawrence Public Schools helped distribute it, rising from about a dozen responses to more than 200. Survey findings showed common barriers such as scheduling conflicts, language access, childcare, transportation, and limited understanding of IEPs and transition planning. The data also suggested that many families expect college or employment outcomes for their children, but fewer reported access to pre-employment training, indicating a communication gap rather than a lack of services. Lawrence school staff explained that the district has a five-person transition team, bilingual resources, workshops, and a developing online transition hub, and that they are using the survey results to improve visibility and access to existing supports. Committee members discussed the need to start transition planning earlier, expand real-world work experiences, improve outreach to Latino families, and better connect students with college, trade, and employment pathways. Several members suggested partnerships with summer youth employment, volunteer programs, and college or alumni panels. The presenters said the grant ends in September, but the resource hub will continue through the Arc and they are exploring ways to sustain the consortium model. The meeting ended with thanks to the presenters, an update that committee members would meet with Seed on Massachusetts as a model employer, and notice that the next meeting would feature the Office of Veteran Affairs before adjournment.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 1st, 2026

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Nick Santos from the maximum wage requirement for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
  • Nick Santos from the maximum wage requirement for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
  • Anthony Morales from the maximum wage requirement for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two congratulatory resolutions, one honoring Andrew Labovitz for attaining Eagle Scout and another congratulating Joseph P. Nickerson, Sr. on his 100th birthday. The chamber also acted on a report from the Committee on Rules suspending Joint Rule 12 for several petitions, which were then referred to their respective committees. On local legislation, the Senate passed to be engrossed a Scituate bill further regulating parking fines. It also considered a Cambridge parking enforcement bill, where Senator Brownsberger offered and the Senate adopted an amendment replacing the bill text with the language of Senate No. 3105; the bill as amended was then passed to be engrossed. The Senate Ways and Means Committee reported favorably, with new drafts, on the Toxic Free Medical Devices Act and on legislation advancing the profession of commercial interior design; in both cases the Senate suspended rules, adopted the committee amendments, and ordered the bills to a third reading. The Senate then enacted three bills: a Tewksbury charter amendment changing the residency requirement for the town manager, and two Haverhill bills exempting Nick Santos and Anthony Morales from the maximum wage requirement for police officers. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to meet again on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in formal session and adjourned.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 1st, 2026

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Anthony Morales from the maximum age requirement for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
  • Nick Santos from the maximum wage requirement for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
  • Anthony Morales from the maximum age requirement for the position of police officer in the city of Haverhill
Keywords: 1212, all
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Informal House Session 73 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • . - House Bill 4057, to authorize the mayor of the City of Haverhill to submit special legislation to
  • The House bill to authorize the mayor of the City of Haverhill to submit special legislation to increase
  • An act to authorize the mayor of the City of Haverhill to submit special legislation to increase the
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters. It adopted a Rules Committee report extending the reporting deadline for the Committee on Aging and Independence to December 3, 2025. The House also concurred in Senate referrals and suspended Joint Rule 12 on multiple petitions, including a proposal on education reporting for out-of-home placement students, a petition on applied behavioral analysis reimbursement rates, seasonal communities and housing-related petitions, and a witness intimidation petition. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then reported a slate of local bills for consideration, including measures on South Boston park and field space, memorial markers for fallen officers in Milton and Canton, sustainable water resource funds, charter changes for Millis and Cambridge, a Hanson local licensing matter, a Haverhill Board of Health membership increase, and the Cambridge Employment and Job Training Trust. The House suspended Rule 7A, took second readings, and ordered these bills to a third reading. Later, the House considered and passed to be engrossed three bills on third reading: a Melrose senior citizen property tax exemption, a new charter for the City of Cambridge, and a Maynard alcohol license bill. The session concluded with adoption of an adjournment order setting the next meeting for Thursday at 11 a.m., and the House adjourned accordingly.