Jo Comerford

The People's Office Library Tour in Colrain
2019-11-16 13:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Griswold Memorial Library, 12 Main Road, Colrain, MA, 01340
Libraries are vital institutions in our communities. They serve as gathering places, educational and cultural resources, introductions to literacy, and so much more. To celebrate the central role libraries play in our communities, Senator Jo Comerford will be traveling to a library in each of the 24 cities and towns in her district from October to May.
Join Jo for an informal gathering at your local library to learn more about the work she’s doing on your behalf in the legislature, ask questions, and join in on the conversation about issues affecting your community.

North Quabbin Community Coalition Open Forum & Legislative Roundtable
2019-11-15 09:00 - 10:30 | Orange American Legion, 40 Daniel Shays Highway, Orange, MA, 01364
Join this great opportunity to network with area agencies, businesses, government officials, civic groups, and other interested individuals and organizations. This event features a legislative roundtable where Senator Jo Comerford will speak. All are welcome!

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Hearing
2019-11-13 14:00 - 17:00 | Room A-2, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security will hold a hearing on bills relative to corrections (bills listed here), including the below bills co-sponsored by Senator Comerford.
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Committee Co-Chairs Senator Micahel Moore and Representative Harold Naughton. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Michael.Moore@masenate.gov, Harold.Naughton@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

S.1374
An Act relative to access to community corrections
William N. Brownsberger

S.1379
An Act to strengthen inmate visitation
Sonia Chang-Díaz

S.1430
An Act relative to inmate telephone call rates
Mark C. Montigny

S.1453
An Act to ensure compliance with the anti-shackling law for pregnant incarcerated women
Rebecca L. Rausch

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Hearing
2019-11-12 13:00 - 17:00 | Gardner Auditorium, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133, United States
The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy will hold a hearing on bills relative to natural gas, including the below bill Senator Comerford sponsored. (To view the full list of bills being heard, visit the hearing page.)
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Co-Chairs Senator Michael Barrett and Representative Thomas Golden. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Mike.Barrett@masenate.gov, Thomas.Golden@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

S.1934
An Act requiring public interest considerations in gas infrastructure expansion proceedings
Jo Comerford

Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Hearing
2019-11-12 13:00 - 17:00 | Room B-1, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing on bills relative to pollinators and pesticides (bills listed here), including the below bills co-sponsored by Senator Comerford.
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Committee Co-Chairs Senator Anne Gobi and Representative Smitty Pignatelli. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs Senator (Anne.Gobi@masenate.gov, Rep.Smitty@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

S.447
An Act empowering towns and cities to protect residents and the environment from harmful pesticides
Julian Cyr

S.463
An Act protecting pollinators by eliminating harmful products
James B. Eldridge

S.499
An Act relative to the use of glyphosate on public lands
Jason M. Lewis

Joint Committee on Revenue Hearing
2019-11-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Room B-2, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Revenue will hold a bill hearing (bills listed here).
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Committee Co-Chairs Senator Adam Hinds and Representative Mark Cusack. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Adam.Hinds@masenate.gov, Mark.Cusack@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Joint Committee on Public Service Hearing
2019-11-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Room A-2, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Public Service will hold a hearing on bills relative to group classification (bills listed here), including the below bill co-sponsored by Senator Comerford.
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Committee Co-Chairs Senator Michael Brady and Representative Jerald Parisella. To submit written testimony email Committee Co-Chairs Senator (Michael.Brady@masenate.gov, Jared.Parisella@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

S.1563
An Act relative to the alignment of the University of Massachusetts police
Michael O. Moore

The People's Office in Greenfield
2019-11-08 09:00 - 12:00 | Greenfield – GCC Downtown, 270 Main Street, Greenfield, MA, 01301
Senator Comerford’s team seeks to be as accessible as possible to constituents living in the 24 cities and towns of the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district. In addition to our availability to attend meetings and events, and to schedule individual meetings with constituents, District Director Elena Cohen will be holding regular office hours throughout the district.
All locations are wheelchair accessible. Feel free to contact Elena with any questions by email at elena.cohen@masenate.gov or by calling our district office at (413) 367-4656.
Come see us!
Public Transit Directions
GCC Downtown is accessible by bus: 20, 21, 23, 24, 31, 32, 41

Joint Committee on the Election Laws Hearing
2019-11-06 13:00 - 17:00 | Room A-1, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on the Election Laws will hold a hearing on bills relative to early voting and ranked choice voting (bills listed here), including the below bills co-sponsored by Senator Comerford.
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Committee Co-Chairs Senator Barry Finegold and Representative John Lawn. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Barry.Finegold@masenate.gov, John.Lawn@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

S.383
An Act restoring financial transparency in presidential elections
Michael J. Barrett

S.406
An Act promoting access to democracy in Massachusetts
Adam G. Hinds

S.414
An Act to use of ranked choice voting in elections
Jason M. Lewis

S.420
An Act providing a local option for ranked choice voting in municipal elections
Rebecca L. Rausch

Joint Committee on Financial Services Hearing
2019-11-05 13:00 - 16:00 | Room B-1, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing on bills listed here, including the below bill co-sponsored by Senator Comerford.
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Committee Co-Chairs Senator James Welch and Representative James Murphy. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (James.Welch@masenate.gov, James.Murphy@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

H.908
An Act requiring mental health parity for disability policies
Ruth B. Balser

VoteTruth: Celebrating Sojourner Truth on the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage
2019-11-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Sojourner Truth Statue Memorial Park, Corner of Park and Pine Streets, Florence, MA, 01062
Bring your “I VOTED” sticker to the Sojourner Truth statue!
The newly formed VoteTruth Committee, with co-sponsoring organizations from across the community, welcomes all to celebrate Sojourner Truth on Election Day, November 5th 2019 as part of national celebrations during this year of the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage. This will be the first election day celebration of Sojourner Truth to honor her significant contribution to the advancement of women’s right to vote.
Loretta Ross, Rose Sackey-Milligan, Rhonda Soto, Senator Jo Comerford will speak and there will be performers from Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter High School.
For more info, email votesojournertruth@gmail.com.

Amherst Affordable Housing: Opportunities for Growth
2019-11-04 18:45 - 21:00 | Social Hall – Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, 121 N Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA, 01002
Join Amherst town representatives, Representative Mindy Domb, and Senator Jo Comerford for an Amherst housing forum. The purpose of the forum is to highlight current housing problems in Amherst, share legislative efforts to address housing problems, gather support for Affordable Housing Policy, and update stakeholders on progress made since the last forum.
If you are a low income individual or family in Amherst, it’s very difficult to find housing. The Fall Housing Forum will look at both strengths and shortcomings in our community and examine both local and state-level efforts to address this important problem.
The forum will be organized in three parts:

Presentations on progress in developing affordable housing in Amherst and what we must do locally to take steps to assure further development.
Presentations by Senator Joanne Comerford and Representative Mindy Domb on State budget changes and pending legislation that will affect affordable housing, and
Breakout groups to consider the following:
a. How a Town Housing Policy can promote the development of new affordable housing in Amherst
b. Influencing Housing change through Legislative action
c. What can we do to address homelessness and to support the Amherst seasonal shelter
d. Improving access to affordable rentals in Amherst

The Amherst League of Women Voters, The Amherst Affordable Housing Advocacy Coalition, and the Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust have collaborated to organize this forum.

The People's Office Library Tour in Leverett
2019-11-03 15:45 - 16:45 | Leverett Public Library, 75 Montague Road, Leverett, MA, 01054

The People's Office Library Tour in Shutesbury
2019-11-03 14:00 - 15:00 | M.N. Spear Library, 10 Cooleyville Road, Shutesbury, MA, 01072

Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Hearing
2019-10-31 13:00 - 16:00 | Room A-2, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight will hold a hearing on state regulations and finance bills, including the bill listed below filed by Senator Comerford. (To view the full list of bills being heard, visit the hearing page.)
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Co-Chairs Senator Marc Pacheco and Representative Danielle Gregoire. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Marc.Pacheco@masenate.gov, Danielle.Gregoire@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

S.1819
An Act providing federal and state budget information to residents of the commonwealth
Jo Comerford

The People's Office in Amherst
2019-10-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Sen. Comerford’s District Office (old), UMass Amherst, Isenberg School of Management, Suite 101, 121 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA, 01003
Senator Comerford’s team seeks to be as accessible as possible to constituents living in the 24 cities and towns of the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district. In addition to our availability to attend meetings and events, and to schedule individual meetings with constituents, District Director Elena Cohen and Director of Constituent Engagement Sam Hopper will be holding regular office hours throughout the district.
All locations are wheelchair accessible. Feel free to contact Elena with any questions by email at elena.cohen@masenate.gov or by calling our district office at (413) 367-4656.
Come see us!
Public Transit Directions
Senator Comerford’s UMass office is accessible by bus: B43, 38, R29

Joint Committee on Public Health Hearing
2019-10-29 13:00 - 17:00 | Room 222, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Public Health will hold a hearing on bills related to healthcare facilities and emergency medical services (bills listed here).
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Committee Co-Chairs Senator Jo Comerford and Representative John Mahoney. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov, John.Mahoney@mahouse.gov).

Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Hearing
2019-10-29 13:00 - 17:00 | Room A-2, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing on bills pertaining to oceans, waterways, water quality resources, and other local (bills listed here),including the below bills co-sponsored by Senator Comerford.
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Committee Co-Chairs Senator Anne Gobi and Representative Smitty Pignatelli. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs Senator (Anne.Gobi@masenate.gov, Rep.Smitty@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

H.774
An Act ensuring safe drinking water in schools
Lori A. Ehrlich

S.500
An Act ensuring safe drinking water in schools
Joan B. Lovely

Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government Hearing
2019-10-29 11:00 - 13:00 | Room A-1, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government will hold a hearing on bills related to local matters (bills listed here), including the below bills sponsored by Senator Comerford.
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government Co-Chairs Senator Becca Rausch and Representative James O’Day. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Becca.Rausch@masenate.gov, James.O’Day@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

H.4101
An Act establishing the appointed office of town clerk in the town of Pelham
Mindy Domb, Jo Comerford

H.4102
An Act relative to disqualification of bidders on city contracts
Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Jo Comerford

Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Hearing
2019-10-29 10:00 - 13:00 | Room B-1, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities will hold a hearing on bills related to a variety of topics including but not limited to funeral expenses, climate change refugees, and foster care, including the below bill filed by Senator Comerford. (To view the full list of bills being heard, visit the hearing page.)
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Co-Chairs Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz and Representative Kay Khan. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Sonia.Chang-Diaz@masenate.gov, Kay.Khan@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (jo.comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

S.29
An Act establishing the Massachusetts foster care review office
Jo Comerford

New Salem Listening Session with Sen. Comerford & Rep. Whipps
2019-10-26 15:30 - 17:00 | Swift River School, 201 Wendell Road, New Salem, MA, 01355
Join Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Susannah Whipps in New Salem for a Listening Session, sponsored by the Friends of the New Salem Library. This meeting will be an opportunity for the legislators to recap what they have been working on in the Legislature, listen to the concerns of their constituents, and answer questions.

Royalston Listening Session with Sen. Comerford & Rep. Whipps
2019-10-26 13:30 - 15:00 | Royalston Town Hall, On The Common, Royalston, MA, 01368
Join Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Susannah Whipps at the Royalston Town Hall for a Listening Session. This meeting will be an opportunity for the legislators to recap what they have been working on in the Legislature and to listen to the concerns of their constituents and to answer questions.

Joint Committee on Revenue Hearing
2019-10-22 13:00 - 17:00 | Room B-2, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Revenue will hold a hearing on various tax bills (bills listed here), including the below bill filed by Senator Comerford.
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Committee Co-Chairs Senator Adam Hinds and Representative Mark Cusack. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Adam.Hinds@masenate.gov, Mark.Cusack@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

H.2424
An Act to strengthen the foundation of the Commonwealth
Mike Connolly, Jo Comerford

Joint Committee on Public Health Hearing
2019-10-22 13:00 - 17:00 | Room B-1, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Public Health will hold a hearing on bills related to schools and children’s health (bills listed here), including the below bill co-sponsored by Senator Comerford.
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Joint Committee on Public Health Co-Chairs Senator Jo Comerford and Representative John Mahoney. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov, John.Mahoney@mahouse.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

S.1233
An Act to update postural screenings in schools
Julian Cyr

Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy Hearing
2019-10-22 11:00 - 14:00 | Leicester Public Library, 1136 Main Street, Leicester, MA, 01524
The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy will hold a hearing on the below bills related to agriculture and other miscellaneous cannabis-related bills.
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Committee Co-Chairs Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz and Representative David Rogers. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Sonia.Chang-Diaz@masenate.gov, Dave.Rogers@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill No.

Sponsor

Title

H.3519

Farley-Bouvier, Tricia (HOU)

An Act clarifying the definition of agriculture

H.3525

Kane, Hannah (HOU)

An Act relative to community outreach procedure for retail marijuana establishment license applicants

H.3529

Livingstone, Jay D. (HOU)*

Requiring the opinions of the justices on important questions of law, regarding the marijuana (cannabis) laws, according to the 85th Constitutional amendment

H.3530

Livingstone, Jay D. (HOU)*

Requiring the opinion of the Attorney General on questions of law, regarding the marijuana (cannabis) laws, according to M.G.L. c. 12 s. 9

H.3531

Livingstone, Jay D. (HOU)*

An Act relative to the repeal of the legalization of marijuana laws in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

H.3532

Mark, Paul W. (HOU)

An Act relative to organic farming tools

H.3533

Muradian, Jr., David K. (HOU)

An Act relative to drug scheduling

H.3543

Vega, Aaron (HOU)

An Act expanding the use of organic pest control

H.4001

Cusack, Mark J. (HOU)

An Act relative to hemp and hemp products in the Commonwealth

S.1124

Collins, Nick (SEN)

An Act relative to cooperatives in the marijuana industry

S.1127

Cyr, Julian (SEN)

An Act relative to participation by farmers and businesses of all sizes in the regulated marijuana industry

S.1130

Lewis, Jason M. (SEN)

An Act relative to marijuana potency

Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Hearing
2019-10-22 11:00 - 13:00 | Room B-2, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development will hold a hearing on bills regarding cultural development (full list of bills here), including the below bill co-sponsored by Senator Comerford.
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Edward.Kennedy@masenate.gov, Paul.McMurtry@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

S.2028
An Act relative to the use of elephants, big cats, primates, and bears in traveling exhibits and shows
Bruce E. Tarr

State House Teach-In on the Growing Dangers of Nuclear War
2019-10-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Room 437, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
Legislators, legislative staff, and the public are warmly welcome to a teach-in hosted by Senators Jo Comerford and Patrick O’Connor about the growing dangers of nuclear war. Learn about the pending bi-partisan “Back from the Brink” resolutions S.2155 and H.3240. The expert panel will be followed by a question and answer portion.

Hadley Town Hall with Rep. Carey & Sen. Comerford
2019-10-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Hadley Town Hall, 100 Middle Street, Hadley, MA, 01035
Join Representative Dan Carey and Senator Jo Comerford at Hadley Town Hall to hear legislative updates and ask questions about issues important to you. Please email question to Kelly O’Reilly at kelly.o’reilly@mahouse.gov

Joint Committee on Public Service Hearing
2019-10-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Room A-1, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Public Service will hold a hearing on bills related to civil service and veterans (bills listed here), including the below bill filed by Senator Comerford.
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Committee Co-Chairs Senator Michael Brady and Representative Jerald Parisella. To submit written testimony email Committee Co-Chairs Senator (Michael.Brady@masenate.gov, Jared.Parisella@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

S.2337
An Act to extend veterans retirement buyback opportunities
Jo Comerford

Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Hearing
2019-10-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Room A-1, State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02133
The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure will hold a bill hearing on bills related to digital right to repair and above quota alcohol license, including the bill listed below co-sponsored by Senator Comerford. (To view the full list of bills being heard, visit the hearing page.)
We invite you to submit written testimony and/or testify in person on bills you care about. Testimony on bills in this hearing should be addressed to Committee Co-Chairs Senator Paul Feeney and Representative Tackey Chan. To submit written testimony, email the Committee Co-Chairs (Paul.Feeney@masenate.gov, Tackey.Chan@mahouse.gov) and feel free to copy Senator Comerford (Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov).

Bill
Bill Title
Sponsor

S.107
An Act relative to the digital right to repair
Michael D. Brady
