Legislative Priorities

HD.347 An Act relative to dark money in local government

• aims to increase transparency and accountability by restricting undisclosed or untraceable financial contributions in local government elections and decision-making processes.

HD.2463 An Act relative to telecommunicators in Barnstable and Dukes Counties

• addresses the status and benefits of individuals who manage emergency communications, aiming to enhance the recognition and support for these essential public safety professionals in the specified regions.

HD.2619 An Act adding an Indigenous member to the Massachusetts Historical Commission

• proposes adding an Indigenous member to the Massachusetts Historical Commission to ensure that Indigenous perspectives are represented in the preservation and interpretation of the state’s historical resources.

HD.3409 An Act relative to government surplus supply

• seeks to give municipalities the option not to resell property deemed undesirable or unsafe and instead allow for alternative methods of disposal or repurposing.

HD.4019 An Act relative to microfilm

• removes the obsolete legal requirement that copies of all documents in the Registry of Deeds be duplicated in costly microfilm.

HD.4441 An Act relative to tribal government representation on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission

• aims to enhance representation by placing a tribal-appointed representative from the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.

HD.898 An Act relative to restoring commuter rail to Cape Cod

• seeks to restore commuter rail service to Buzzards Bay, improving transportation options and connectivity for residents and visitors in the region.

HD.691 An Act to overcome coastal and environmental acidification and nutrient pollution

• seeks to address and mitigate the impacts of acidification and nutrient pollution in coastal and environmental waters through research, monitoring, and policy initiatives.

HD.1798 An Act establishing the Blue Communities Program

• aims to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship by designating and supporting communities committed to protecting water resources and coastal ecosystems.

HD.695 An Act encouraging home ownership by establishing a first time home buyers savings account

• proposes creating a tax-advantaged savings account to help first-time homebuyers save for purchasing a home.

HD.3381 An Act establishing the Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank

• aims to create a housing bank to generate and allocate funds for affordable housing initiatives on Martha’s Vineyard.

H.3903 An Act authorizing the Town of Nantucket to impose a real estate transfer fee for affordable and workforce housing and related capital improvements

• This act authorizes the Town of Nantucket to impose a 0.5% real estate transfer fee on property sales, with exemptions and safeguards, to fund affordable and workforce housing and related capital improvements through a dedicated Housing and Community Development Fund.

H.3931 An Act establishing a real estate transfer fee upon the transfer of residential property in the Town of Falmouth for the purpose of funding affordable housing

• authorizes the Town of Falmouth to impose a graduated real estate transfer fee on residential property sales over $1 million, with revenues directed to the Falmouth Affordable Housing Fund to support affordable housing initiatives.

H.4186 An Act relative to Affordable Housing Trust Fund of the Town of Edgartown

• allows the Edgartown Affordable Housing Trust to use its funds for community housing

HD.4359 An Act authorizing the town of Nantucket to impose a real estate transfer fee for affordable and workforce housing and related capital improvements

• allows Nantucket to implement a transfer fee on luxury real estate transactions to support affordable and workforce housing, as well as necessary infrastructure improvements. Passed by Town Meeting.

HD.4426 An Act relative to housing in seasonal communities

• aims to address housing challenges in communities with significant seasonal variations in population, employment, and housing demand. The legislation seeks to provide targeted solutions to meet the unique housing needs of Falmouth, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

HD.694 An Act relative to equitable court staffing

• seeks to ensure fair and adequate staffing levels in regional courts to improve access to justice and operational efficiency.

HD.696 An Act providing for a study on the trial court department

• proposes a study to assess and improve the efficiency, resources, and operations of the Massachusetts Trial Court Department on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

HD.697 An Act establishing the Dukes County Sheriff’s regional lockup fund

• seeks to create a dedicated fund to support the operation and maintenance of a regional lockup facility under the jurisdiction of the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office, the only facility of its type on the island.

HD.698 An Act to waive chargebacks on state grants, federal grant awards, federal subgrants and subsidies for the Regional Emergency Communication Center on Martha's Vineyard

• aims to waive chargebacks on various grants and subsidies to ensure continued funding for the Regional Emergency Communication Center on Martha's Vineyard, so it is not disadvantaged compared to similar municipally-run facilities.

HD.705 An Act improving access to the Housing Court

• seeks to expand the resources and accessibility of the Housing Court to better serve Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard residents dealing with housing-related legal matters.

HD.692 An Act to provide for housing within the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest

• allows for the state forest manager to live in the house already on site, a critical need for fire safety and forest stewardship.

HD.2475 An Act relative to moped safety

• aims to improve moped safety by requiring a motorcycle license to operate.

HD.693 An Act creating the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest Trust Fund

• proposes establishing a dedicated trust fund to support the conservation, maintenance, and stewardship of the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest.

HD.1130 An Act relative to taxation of digital advertising services

• aims to establish a tax on digital advertising services, which would fund initiatives supporting local journalism as well as Pre-K and after-school programs.

• HD.1913 An Act to address barriers to HIV prevention medication

  • This bill aims to reduce obstacles to accessing HIV prevention medications, such as PrEP, by improving availability and affordability

• HD.2589 An Act relative to increasing access to epinephrine

  • This bill seeks to expand access to epinephrin in emergency situations, by ensuring it can be readily available in public places such as restaurants and hotels.