2005 - 2006 Legislative Accomplishments
HEALTH CARE
HEALTH CARE REFORM
CHAPTER 58 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
First-in-the-nation health care reform law makes affordable, quality insurance accessible to 95% of the state’s 500,000 uninsured residents within three years; based on principle of shared responsibility, the landmark law requires individuals, businesses, and government to participate in remedy for growing number of uninsured; reforms promise to significantly lower insurance costs for working families and individuals
GENETIC PRIVACY ACT
CHAPTER 147 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Protects Commonwealth’s citizens by prohibiting insurance providers from discriminating against prospective policy holders based upon genetic testing results
CLEAN NEEDLE SALES
CHAPTER 172 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Public health measure allows over-the-counter sales of hypodermic needles in effort to dramatically reduce the transmission of AIDS and Hepatitis C and bring Massachusetts in line with 47 other states that have passed similar laws
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
CHAPTER 91 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Law allows for timely access to emergency contraception by requiring hospitals to offer medication to rape victims and permitting pharmacists to dispense the medication without a prescription
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE
CHAPTER 123 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Comprehensive stimulus package designed to make smart, bold investments in workforce training, infrastructure, technology, and cultural facilities, including:
- $30 million for Brownfields Redevelopment Fund
- $50 million for Historical Rehabilitation Tax Credit
- $10 million to spur activity in the state’s life sciences and technology sector
- $13 million for establishment of first-in-the-nation Cultural Facilities Fund; annual appropriation will attract hundreds of millions of dollars in private investments
- $23 million for workforce development and training programs
- $100 million bond program for infrastructure improvements that encourage economic development
STEM CELL RESEARCH
CHAPTER 27 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Legislature enacts groundbreaking legislation to establish Massachusetts as a center for cutting edge, life-saving research with appropriate regulatory oversight
STREAMLINED PERMITTING
CHAPTER 205 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Legislature combats the excessive regulation and red tape that impede economic development and job growth in the Commonwealth by approving legislation to streamline the state and local building approval process
RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE
CHAPTER 271 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Legislature reaffirms commitment to Commonwealth’s working families by giving long overdue pay increase to lowest wage earners; first increase since 2001 raises rate to $7.50 in 2007 and $8.00 in 2008, giving Massachusetts one of the most competitive minimum wages in the country
BRINGING BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB TO MASSACHUSETTS
CHAPTER 173 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Beating out competitor states like North Carolina and New York, bipartisan Massachusetts effort persuades global drug giant Bristol-Myers Squibb to build a $660 million manufacturing plant at Devens; company will create hundreds of high-paying jobs and produce ripple effect through economy as more life sciences companies choose to set up shop in the Commonwealth
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT INCENTIVE
CHAPTER 293 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
New financing mechanism forges partnership among communities, the state, and developers in order to stimulate development and job growth across Massachusetts; authorizes Massachusetts Development Finance Agency to sell bonds for public infrastructure improvements related to economic development projects; income tax revenue generated from resulting new jobs would pay off bonds
FILM TAX INCENTIVES
CHAPTER 158 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Seeking to facilitate job growth and make Massachusetts competitive with other states and countries, House and Senate take action to attract multi-billion dollar movie industry to Massachusetts to create jobs, increase tourism, and generate revenue for state and local economies
STRENGTHENING CHILD LABOR LAWS
CHAPTER 426 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Legislature approves first comprehensive overhaul of child labor rules in 70 years by increasing criminal penalties and giving the attorney general authority to pursue civil charges against negligent employers; law requires adult supervision of younger workers after 8 p.m., summarizes the statute on work permits and permit applications, and bars teens from carrying a firearm at work
BALANCED, FAIR, ON-TIME BUDGETS
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FY’07 BUDGET
CHAPTER 139 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Moving to ease property tax burdens and help municipalities fund essential services, legislature uncaps lottery aid and directs $920 million in lottery funding to partners in local government; total non-education local aid stands at $1.37 billion and represents highest amount of local aid ever distributed to the Commonwealth’s 351 cities and towns Budget increases education aid by $216.6 million, bringing total Chapter 70 statewide funding to $3.5 billion; fair and equitable distribution will help school districts recover from cuts implemented when state revenues plummeted in 2002
FY’06 BUDGET
CHAPTER 167 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
On-time, balanced budget increased funding for local aid, education, human services and affordable housing; consistent with House commitment to greater public transparency and good government reforms, the spending plan restricts outside sections to those directly related to spending line items
FY’06 CAPITAL SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET
CHAPTER 122 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Following the transfer of $691 million to Rainy Day Fund, bringing reserve account to $1.7 billion, the House and Senate invest $297 million in vital, long-delayed infrastructure and capital projects across the Commonwealth and on public college campuses
HURRICANE KATRINA EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION
CHAPTER 81 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
“Operation Helping Hand” designed to help Hurricane Katrina evacuees being temporarily housed at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod; legislature responds with $25 million in emergency appropriation for medical, housing, and educational services evacuees need to begin rebuilding their lives
TAX RELIEF
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SENIOR “CIRCUIT BREAKER”
CHAPTER 136 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Eligible seniors were able to receive an annual state income tax credit of up to $840 if their house was valued at $400,000 or less; new law initiated by the House raises the property value threshold to $600,000, making tens of thousands of additional seniors across the Commonwealth eligible for tax relief
COMMUTER TAX BREAK
CHAPTER 139 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Income tax deduction for eligible Fast Lane toll payers and MBTA monthly pass holders becomes permanent, allowing commuters to deduct up to $750 annually
MWRA RATE RELIEF
CHAPTER 139 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
$25 million appropriation to the Sewer Rate Relief Fund helps contain costs for water and sewer ratepayers throughout Massachusetts
H.E.A.T – HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE
&
TAX RELIEF ACT
CHAPTER 140 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
In a proactive response to skyrocketing energy costs and winter heating bills, the House and Senate offer tax deductions on home heating bills, tax credits to promote purchase of energy efficient residential items and $20 million in heating assistance for low-income individuals and families
REPEAL OF RETROACTIVE CAPITAL GAINS TAX
CHAPTER 163 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Responding to unintended consequence of court ruling, legislature moves effective date of capital gains tax increase to January 1, 2003, saving 48,000 taxpayers from paying retroactive taxes and sending rebates to tens of thousands more residents assessed on assets sold between May and December 2002
PUBLIC SAFETY
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WITNESS INTIMIDATION PROGRAM/ANTI-GANG FUNDING
CHAPTER 48 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Moving to combat rising crime rates, legislature establishes $11 million grant program to help communities reduce and prevent gang violence and strengthens existing gun laws; creates $1.5 million statewide witness protection program to safeguard witnesses from the intimidation that obstructs criminal investigations
OUI REPEAT OFFENDERS (“MELANIE’S LAW”)
CHAPTER 122 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Toughest drunk driving law in the Commonwealth’s history stiffens penalties for repeat offenders and brings state in compliance with federal drunk driving standards
NEW DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR TEENAGERS
CHAPTER 428 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Seeking to address the dual issues of inexperience and lack of training that contribute to teenage drivers suffering the highest fatality rate of any age group, legislature endorses bill to increase the required amount of on-the-road training, strengthen restrictions and penalties for junior operators, and give the Registry of Motor Vehicles regulatory authority over all driver education schools and programs
PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL PREDATORS
CHAPTER 303 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Most sweeping sex offender legislation since the creation of the sex offender registry a decade ago nearly doubles the statute of limitations for certain sexual crimes against children, mandates pre-release classification and registration of incarcerated sex offenders, and prohibits Level 3 sex offenders from residing in nursing homes
STRENGTHENING SEX OFFENDER OVERSIGHT
CHAPTER 139 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Legislature takes action to tighten rules and strengthen oversight by placing sex offenders who repeatedly fail to register with the state’s sex offender board on lifetime parole, subjecting offenders who commit certain crimes against children to lifetime parole if they fail to register even once, and requiring sex offenders to register at all address where they spend more than two weeks a year
SUPPORT FOR MUNICIPAL PUBLIC SAFETY
CHAPTER 139 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
FY’07 budget sends $21 million to cities and towns for Community Policing grants and $2.5 million for new municipal fire safety equipment
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS (“NICOLE’S LAW”)
CHAPTER 123 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Requires installation of inexpensive, life-saving carbon monoxide detectors in homes and residential properties to protect Massachusetts residents from leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the country
FIRE SAFE CIGARETTES
CHAPTER 140 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Taking aim at the leading cause of home fire deaths, law requires tobacco companies to produce and sell only self-extinguishing cigarettes or “fire-safe cigarettes” in Massachusetts; measure helps reduce risk of fire and injury for smokers, their families, their neighbors, and local firefighters
INTERSTATE COMPACT
CHAPTER 121 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Enhances public safety by allowing Massachusetts to join 49 other states in the Interstate Compact for Adult Supervision; provides law enforcement officials the authority to track, supervise and, when necessary, return convicted criminals on parole or probation who relocate here from other states
PUBLIC DEFENDERS
CHAPTER 54 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Responding to growing crisis in the courts, legislature approves higher salary rates for private attorneys who represent the indigent and implements cost saving reform system by lowering cap on hours billed to taxpayers; creates pilot project to use public defenders in district courts to lower costs paid for representation of indigent defendants
EMERGENCY CENTRAL ARTERY LEGISLATION
CHAPTER 153 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Moving to restore public safety and confidence after fatal Big Dig tunnel ceiling collapse, legislature swiftly approves legislation granting Governor responsibility for inspections and funding to conduct “stem to stern” audit of entire project
EDUCATION
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COMMITMENT TO HIGHER EDUCATION
CHAPTER 139 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
FY’07 budget includes a $63.2 million, or 6.9%, increase in spending on higher education; total funding rises to $979 million, with a $35 million increase for the University of Massachusetts and $36.7 million more for state and community colleges to decrease the so-called “funding gap” and to account for collective bargaining agreements
INCLUSIVE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONIES
CHAPTER 152 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Legislation affords good-standing special education students who fail to pass the MCAS test the opportunity to walk with their peers in graduation ceremonies
FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
CHAPTER 107 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Law allows Massachusetts to maximize state dollars by leveraging federal funds for critical services provided to children with autism; Medicaid waiver reimburses state for 50% of costs associated with treating children with disability more common than all childhood cancers, muscular dystrophy, juvenile diabetes, and cystic fibrosis combined
ACCESS TO STUDENT RECORDS
CHAPTER 62 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Brings Massachusetts in line with federal law by giving non-custodial parents greater access to student records
HOUSING
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HOUSING BOND BILL
CHAPTER 53 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
As part of overall economic strategy, legislature took quick action on a $200 million bond re-authorization to finance new affordable housing construction and to preserve and maintain existing units
EDUCATION RELIEF FOR “SMART GROWTH” CITIES & TOWNS
CHAPTER 141 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Removes barriers and provides incentives for housing production by reimbursing communities for costs directly related to educating children living in “smart growth” developments
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS FUNDING
CHAPTER 139 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
FY’07 budget provides $27.5 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, $5 million for the Rental Assistance for Families in Transition program, and an additional $200,000 for the Housing Services Program to prevent at-risk families from becoming homeless
VETERANS
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SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ON MILITARY DUTY
CHAPTER 77 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Extends law protecting public employees from loss of pay, seniority, and leave time if they are called to active military duty
WELCOME HOME BILL
CHAPTER 130 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Just in time for Veterans’ Day, legislature provides additional benefits and increased pay for service members, veterans, and their families as well as education and fee waivers for Massachusetts National Guard members
THE ED CONNOLLY MILITARY ENHANCED RELIEF INDIVIDUAL TAX PLAN
CHAPTER 260 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Delivers relief to thousands of military families by increasing property tax abatements and exemptions for first time since 1997; package includes new 100% five-year property tax exemption for surviving spouses and provision giving municipalities local option of suspending property tax payments due by National Guard members, Reservists or their dependants while on active duty for six months after service is complete
ENVIRONMENT
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ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
CHAPTER 139 OF THE ACTS OF 2005
Recognizing that efficiency must be part of the solution to state’s energy crisis, measure encourages the sale of more energy efficient household appliances in an effort to reduce energy consumption and cut consumer utility bills by $1 billion over 25 years
COMPREHENSIVE MERCURY MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 190 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Law phases out use of mercury-added products, establishes recycling programs, and creates education program to protect public and environment from highly poisonous metal
MODERNIZING TOXICS USE REDUCTION ACT
CHAPTER 188 OF THE ACTS OF 2006
Legislature takes steps to strengthen measure credited with decreasing toxic chemical use by 38%; revisions backed by cross-section of environmental and business groups reflect changes in state and federal statutes as well as advancements in reductions techniques
REAL REFORM
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NEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
For the first time in 38 years, House reorganizes its committee structure and jurisdictions; modernization enables House to accomplish its ambitious legislative agenda on health care reform and economic development
LIMITING OUTSIDE SECTIONS
House reform restores accountability and transparency to state government; budgets that hold the line on policy-making prevent matters unrelated to spending from circumventing the legislative process
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