Please take a moment to look at the housing, infrastructure development, and economic development bills I have filed this session.
You can also view all bills I’ve co-sponsored this session here.
Filed bills
An Act creating a Municipal and Public Safety Building Authority
Buildings such as town offices, fire stations, police stations, and highway facilities are critical to the operation of a municipality. Yet, many small towns in western Massachusetts and throughout the state do not have the tax base or the borrowing capacity to build or upgrade their aging or inadequate municipal buildings. My bill creates an independent public authority, similar to authorities that help finance municipal school buildings and libraries, to provide matching funds for local municipal and public safety buildings.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) employees who perform highway and street construction and maintenance are often placed in extremely dangerous situations while performing this critical road work. However, in the state’s Employee Retirement System, these workers are classified as Group 1 retirees, which largely includes employees with office and/or indoor responsibilities, rather than Group 2 retirees, which includes employees with hazardous occupations. My bill reclassifies MassDOT highway workers as Group 2 retirees, thereby providing them with the benefits owed to Commonwealth employees who risk physical harm during state service.
An Act facilitating cost efficient transportation
Rural towns are unnecessarily burdened by the cost of hauling their recycling and trash, as multiple trips due to weight limits imposed on trucks require driving longer distances. Currently, Massachusetts allows trucks to weigh up to 85,000 pounds. Larger trucks can safely carry more materials and will save rural towns from expensive and unnecessary costs. My bill allows tandem trucks operating on approved public roads to weigh up to 99,000 pounds if they have a permit, reducing the need for multiple trips.
An Act enabling a local option for a real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing
Skyrocketing rents, first-time homebuyers being shut out of the market, long waitlists for affordable housing: Massachusetts has a housing crisis. Last session, Governor Maura Healey and the Legislature partnered to pass a $5.1 billion housing investment bill, but even this hefty sum won’t build the 200,000 units that experts say we need. My bill gives cities and towns the option to levy a local fee on the transfer of luxury real estate, with the money generated from the fee going into that municipality’s affordable housing trust fund.
An Act prohibiting video recording or broadcasting while driving
Driving safely requires a driver’s full attention, yet in recent years there has been an increase in video calls and video blogging, or “vlogging,” while driving. My bill addresses a loophole in the current law by banning drivers from recording or broadcasting video of themselves, or from using an augmented reality device, while driving. This bill honors Charlie Braun, a gifted and beloved musician and community leader who was killed when he was struck by a car while riding a bike in Northampton. Tragically, the driver was distracted by a FaceTime video call while she was driving.
An Act promoting geographic equity in state-funded housing development
In August 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed the Affordable Homes Act (AHA) into law, authorizing a transformative $5.1 billion investment in housing production over the next five years. It is imperative that the Commonwealth track where the funds are disbursed to ensure maximum impact and equitable distribution throughout the state. My bill requires the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) to publicly report on all funding and housing production resulting from the AHA, as well as any other state funding distributed for housing production. The bill also requires HLC to ensure geographic equity in the state’s Qualified Allocation Plan, the document which helps guide how and where to allocate federal funding for affordable housing.
An Act providing for timely reimbursement of cities and towns for veterans’ benefits
Local veterans’ service officers provide critical, often life-saving resources and services to veterans across the Commonwealth. The state shares the cost of veteran’s services with municipalities, however, cities and towns often wait a full year to be reimbursed by the state, imposing a significant strain on local budgets, particularly in small towns. My bill directs the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services to reimburse municipalities within six months of any expenditure being certified so that municipalities can better support veterans and not be burdened financially awaiting reimbursement.
An Act relative to historic districts and commissions
The Commonwealth’s historic buildings contribute to its economy, character, culture, and quality of life. However, the tools for preserving historic buildings haven’t changed in 50 years. My bill implements best preservation practices, provides support to local historic commissions, and aligns historic preservation with state climate goals and sustainability efforts.
An Act relative to regional planning agencies
Regional planning agencies (RPAs) provide indispensable services to the Commonwealth’s 351 municipalities, helping local governments address complicated, cross-jurisdictional challenges involving water and wastewater systems, housing, transportation, workforce training, services for elders, economic development and more. My bill ensures that RPAs remain financially solvent so that they can be strong and prepared for the important work ahead.
An Act relative to the efficient management and operation of the registries of probate
The Probate and Family Court is a department within the Commonwealth’s court system, tasked with delivering timely justice to the public by providing an equitable, accessible forum to resolve legal matters including divorce, custody, wills, estates, trusts, and more. There are 14 Probate and Family Courts across Massachusetts, each with their own Register of Probate. Since the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code was implemented in 2012, probate courts have experienced an increase in cases and petitions and accordingly have hired additional assistant registers to enable the courts to continue their work in an expeditious manner. My bill updates the statute that structures probate courts to reflect these changes.
An Act relative to transparency in credit card fees
Massachusetts is one of only four U.S. states where it is illegal for businesses to impose a surcharge when a customer uses a credit card to make a purchase. Credit card processing fees for businesses are typically between 1.5% and 3.5% of the transaction total, and they can add up to substantial sums, disproportionately hurting small businesses. My bill permits Massachusetts businesses to charge customers a fee to cover only the credit card processing fees, provided that the surcharge amount is posted prominently on their premises and website.