Massachusetts Legislature Passes Bill to Remove Outdated Terms in General Laws

(BOSTON 6/9/2026) — The Massachusetts Legislature last week passed a bill that removes outdated and offensive language in the General Laws to describe persons with disabilities.

The bill, S.2563, removes all variations of outdated terms such as “handicapped,” “disabled,” and the “r-word.”

The bill replaces these terms with current terminology such as “person with a disability.”

“Outdated and offensive language describing people with disabilities is found throughout Massachusetts General Law. This simple bill takes concrete steps to modernize our lawbooks to better reflect our commitment to everyone in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “I’m proud of the Legislature’s efforts to pass this bill because to live up to the Commonwealth’s promise of equal rights and equal justice under law, we must strip our legal code of language that does not reflect that pledge.”

The bill comes after the Massachusetts Legislature renamed the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) as MassAbility last year, a change that defines the agency’s role in supporting residents with disabilities to live independently. The name change reflects the intention to empower individuals living with disabilities and move away from outdated terminology as the office undergoes broad changes towards a more expansive model for disability employment services and independent living.

The Massachusetts Legislature approved the bill today and sent to the Governor for her signature.

###

Massachusetts Legislature Approves $1.35 Billion Package to Support Public Education and Transportation, Lower Housing Costs

(BOSTON 6/9/2026) — Massachusetts lawmakers last week passed a $1.35 billion spending package that seeks to ease pressures caused by strained school budget and delivers a massive infusion of cash into the state's public transportation system.

The investments in H.5740 are expansive and include cutting taxes to jumpstart housing construction, training the next generation of doctors and teachers, helping cities and towns dig out from an extreme winter, taking steps to shield the state's finances from the ripple effects of federal tax and tariff policy, and protecting immigrants from federal deportation actions.

“The incredible success of the Fair Share Amendment is helping us make historic investments into our schools and transportation systems, and this legislation is the proof,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “Combined with smart, targeted policy changes that will help boost housing production and expand healthcare access across the Commonwealth, this Fair Share supplemental budget is a massive win for hardworking Bay Staters. I’m thrilled to have voted to approve this legislation, and to have secured earmarks for each and every city and town in the Second Worcester District. This is exactly the type of policy we need to keep Massachusetts the envy of the nation – I look forward to continuing these efforts through the rest of the term.”

During Senate debate, Senator Moore secured a number of earmarks supporting education and transportation in the Second Worcester District, including:

Regional

• $105,000 for Blackstone Valley Tech – in collaboration with Senator Rebecca Rausch and Senator Ryan Fattman

Auburn

• $70,000 for Auburn Public Schools to purchase sidewalk snowplow and salt spreader vehicles

Grafton

• $130,000 for Grafton Public Schools to upgrade classroom technology and purchase an activity van

Millbury

• $125,000 for Millbury Public Schools to purchase a wheelchair accessible van and upgrade school security systems

• $5,000 for vocational programming in partnership with the North Atlantic States Carpenters Union

Shrewsbury

• $82,500 for Shrewsbury Public Schools to upgrade school security systems

Westborough

• $115,000 to conduct a traffic study on Route 9 and upgrade roadway signage

• $12,500 for the Westborough Public Library

Worcester

• $130,000 for the repair or replacement of ADA non-compliant sidewalk wheelchair curb ramps

• $45,000 for Worcester State University’s Latino Educational Institute

Policy and funding highlights of the bill include:

Investing in Schools and Students

The legislation puts $558 million in Fair Share funds toward education, delivering relief to families, students, and school districts across the state. School districts struggling to cover the costs of serving students with disabilities will see immediate help, with $152 million directed toward special education reimbursements, while $150 million goes toward making childcare more affordable and accessible across the Commonwealth.

On literacy, the bill invests $40 million to help the youngest learners read, including $20 million for high-dosage tutoring and $20 million for classroom programs specifically designed to accelerate reading skills for kids in kindergarten through third grade. Research consistently shows that children who are not reading proficiently by third grade face steeper challenges throughout their education, making this one of the most consequential investments in the package.

Fixing Roads, Rails, and Transit

The legislation directs $794 million in Fair Share funds toward transportation. A $595 million investment in the MBTA includes $450 million to keep the T running, $60 million for maintenance and upgrades physical infrastructure with an emphasis on  commuter rail improvements, $50.4 million to improve workforce and safety, $20 million to make fares more affordable for low-income riders, and $15 million for water transportation infrastructure across the state.

For communities across the state, the bill delivers $100 million to help cities and towns recover from an exceptionally costly winter—$80 million distributed based on how many roads a community maintains, and $20 million specifically for communities hit hardest by this year's historic storms.

Regional public bus systems across the state also receive $25 million to recruit and retain workers, plus $10 million for equipment and facility upgrades. An additional $3.75 million goes toward maintaining unpaved roads in rural areas.

Making It Cheaper to Build Housing

To address one of the biggest barriers to building new homes in Massachusetts, the bill creates a new tax exemption on building materials used in the construction of affordable, moderate-income, and middle-income housing projects, saving developers money and making it more financially viable to build the homes that families across the state desperately need.

The exemption is capped at $35 million per year and is specifically designed to help offset rising costs driven by tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration.

Responding to Federal Policy Changes

The bill also takes steps to protect Massachusetts taxpayers and businesses from the financial fallout caused by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republican policies. The Legislature is carefully phasing in changes to state tax law to align with the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, doing so gradually to avoid a sudden hit to state revenues. The bill includes provisions that would pause these tax changes if the proposed ballot question to lower the state’s income tax from 5 percent to 4 percent were to pass in November, which would help mitigate the expected loss in revenue that the ballot question would inflict.

The bill also creates a new tax credit for airlines that use sustainable aviation fuel, helping Massachusetts work toward its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and offers a tax credit of up to $5,000 for farmers who donate surplus food to local food banks.

Training the Next Generation of Doctors and Teachers

To address a growing shortage of primary care physicians, the bill sets aside $10 million in scholarships for UMass Chan Medical School students who agree to pursue family medicine and practice in underserved communities in Massachusetts after they graduate.

To encourage young educators to start their career in Massachusetts, the bill creates the Tomorrow's Teachers program, investing $10 million in scholarships and loan forgiveness to college students and high school graduates who commit to teaching in Massachusetts public schools.

Helping Immigrants Stay Safe

With the Trump Administration ramping up immigration enforcement, the legislation directs $1 million toward free legal services for immigrants and refugees who need help navigating the courts. This builds on a $5 million investment the Legislature already made to launch the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative, which has helped hundreds of residents access legal representation.

Keeping Phones Out of Classrooms

The bill sets aside $1 million to help public school districts implement bell-to-bell cell phone-free policies that so that students can learn without distractions.

The full text of the legislation is available online, along with a fact sheet summarizing highlights of the legislation.

Having been passed by both the House and Senate, the bill now goes to the Governor for her signature.

###

Legislature Approves Major Chapter 90 Transportation and Infrastructure Package

(BOSTON 6/9/2026) — The Massachusetts Legislature last week approved over $2.7 billion in bond funding to help municipalities make local road and bridge repairs, invest in public transit infrastructure, and support transit-oriented housing development statewide.

The package includes $200 million in bonding to spur new transit-oriented housing construction with capital projects such as stormwater management, culverts, and bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

Additionally, it authorizes $300 million to support departments of public works in local cities and towns as they fill potholes and strengthen bridges at a crucial time for many municipalities dealing with strained finances.

 “Funding the construction and repair of our transportation infrastructure is an investment in the future of the Commonwealth and its people,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “I’m thrilled to have joined with my colleagues to support this Chapter 90 bond bill, which will provide funding for projects across Massachusetts. These dollars will help improve our roads, boost our public transportation systems, and grow our pedestrian infrastructure – all while easing the pressure on the budgets of our cities and towns. Thank you to the House and Senate leaders for fast-tracking this bill, and to all my colleagues for helping get it past the finish line.”

The bond bill – H.5375, An Act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges – also contains $500 million in bonding to target and fast-track repairs to the roads that are in the worst condition, through MassDOT’s Lifecycle Asset Management Program.

Support is included for all cities and towns through financing for the traditional Chapter 90 program, while a portion of the bonding would especially aid rural areas by distributing support solely based on communities’ road mileage.

In addition to improving the condition of roadways and integrity of bridges across Massachusetts, the legislation supports commuter rail and public transit at the MBTA with $200 million for rail improvements, vehicle modernization, and procurement of new vehicles.

It also boosts the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which is responsible for maintaining around 180 lane miles of roadway and more than 100 bridge structures, with $200 million for repairs and modernization.

Having been passed by both chambers of the Legislature, the bill has been sent to Governor Maura Healey for her signature.

###

Senate Passes FY27 Budget Investing in Municipalities, Education, Lowering Costs

(BOSTON 5/26/2026) — The Massachusetts Senate last week unanimously passed a $63.37 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2027 that invests responsibly in public education and municipalities, unlocks new opportunities for housing growth, and upholds the Commonwealth’s core commitments to its residents.

Every investment made by the Senate comes without raising a single tax or fee on Massachusetts residents, who are already feeling the weight of inflation, tariffs, and the impact of the federal government’s costly foreign entanglements.

“Recent years have been defined by an era of uncertainty – uncertainty about our economic prosperity, uncertainty about the direction of our federal government, uncertainty about our future. But here in Massachusetts, we have something we can be certain about; our state-supported programs will remain funded without raising taxes on everyday Bay Staters,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “The record investments in our communities delivered by this FY27 budget is a testament to the responsibility and resilience of our people, and I could not be more thrilled to share the news that Massachusetts will not be leaving anyone behind. I’d like to thank my colleagues in the Senate for their hard work on this bill, and I look forward to seeing it sent to Governor Healey’s desk.”

During Senate debate, Senator Moore secured amendments for the cities and towns in his district and beyond. They include:

Regional

• $500,000 for Veterans Inc. to support its employment training and substance use treatment programs.

• Restoring the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s budget to its FY26 level, reversing a nearly $400,000 cut.

• $250,000 to fund cancer screenings for firefighters in cities and towns across the Commonwealth.

• $250,000 for EcoTarium to support the care of animals, expand community education programs, and fund animal habitat improvements.

• $25,000 to the Latin American Health Alliance of Central Massachusetts to support its substance use recovery programs.

• $20,000 for CASA Project Worcester County to support its efforts to provide legal representation to vulnerable children during court proceedings.

Auburn

• $55,000 for the Town of Auburn to purchase a 3D laser scanner for its Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit.

• $20,000 for Auburn Youth and Family Services to support its community food pantry program.

Millbury

• $75,000 for the Millbury Police Department to purchase a K9 police cruiser.

Grafton

• $130,000 for Grafton Public Schools to upgrade classroom technology and purchase an activity van (passed as part of the recent Fair Share Supplemental Budget).

Shrewsbury

• $150,000 for the Shrewsbury Police Department to purchase a police boat for use on Lake Quinsigamond.

Westborough

• $60,000 for Westborough Public Schools to purchase cell phone lock boxes, creating phone-free classrooms.

Worcester

• $75,000 for the Worcester Police Department to purchase a K9 police cruiser.

• $20,000 for the New Americans Community Development Corporation to support the development of affordable housing within Worcester’s Main Middle neighborhood.

The budget makes historic investments in cities and towns through record levels of Chapter 70 school aid—which helps support the full range of school expenses from teachers to school supplies—and Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), which local leaders can use as flexible spending for everything from paving sidewalks to hiring police officers.

The budget completes the Legislature’s promise to fully fund and implement the Student Opportunity Act with $7.66 billion in funding for local school districts – an increase of $297 million over last fiscal year – along with a record $160-per-pupil minimum for local school aid. It also boosts UGGA by $53 million, distributed through a new method based on population, while formally starting the process of reforming the UGGA distribution formula to be more equitable and move forward from an outdated system that has left some municipalities behind.

The budget reconvenes the Foundation Budget Review Commission (FBRC) to examine the current K-12 funding formula and assess new ways to address rising costs in special education, student transportation, personnel, and educator health care. It also establishes a commission to study public school construction financing through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to ensure grant funding is allocated responsibly and equitably.

On housing, the budget builds on last session’s Affordable Homes Act (AHA) with provisions to streamline local permitting, support development on nonconforming properties, provide reasonable timelines for projects to move forward under existing zoning rules, and modernize the variance standard — all aimed at meeting housing demand and driving down costs.

The budget directs over $265 million toward anti-hunger, food security, and economic security, including $148 million for Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) caseworkers to maintain SNAP program integrity and comply with new federal requirements, $55 million for Emergency Food Assistance, and $29.7 million for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) supporting local farmers and healthy food access.

It fully annualizes recent benefit increases through Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) to fight deep poverty and includes a $500 clothing allowance per child for families receiving TAFDC benefits.

Additional investments include improved safety standards at assisted living residences following the tragic Gabriel House fire in Fall River; expanded affordability in higher education through Senate-led programs like MassEducate; and full funding for jail diversion programs connecting individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders to appropriate treatment – improving lives and strengthening public safety.

The budget also includes a consumer protection provision requiring companies to make canceling a subscription as easy as signing up, shielding residents from junk fees and hard-to-cancel recurring charges.

During debate, Senators adopted amendments sending resources to programs and institutions that serve residents across Massachusetts, including funding for the Museum of African American History.

Notably, the Senate adopted an amendment shielding children from sexual exploitation and abusive power dynamics by protecting children aged 16 and 17 from sexual interactions with people who are responsible for their care and oversight—mandated reporters such as teachers and coaches, police officers, and social workers and Department of Children and Families (DCF) custodians.

A detailed summary highlighting the many key components of the budget is available via a fact sheet in the Senate’s press room.

Different versions of the budget having been passed in the Senate and the House, a conference committee will be convened to align on a consensus bill. After final passage in both chambers, the bill will go to the Governor for her signature.

###

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $830,000 Pinrock Road Bridge Project Grant

(AUBURN 5/8/2026) — Last week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that Auburn’s Pinrock Road Bridge has been selected to receive a construction grant under the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Funding for Accelerated Infrastructure Repair (FAIR) Program. The nearly $830,000 grant will pay for the bridge’s preservation project, including the repair of concrete decks, the installation of a new wearing surface on the bridge deck, upgrades to the bridge’s safety features, and more.

Built in 1957, Pinrock Road Bridge was identified as being in disrepair by a Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) inspection report. While the structure was observed to have no substructure issues, the superstructure, roadway approaches, and pedestrian safety infrastructure are in need of repair.

The $829,989.22 grant is expected to cover the actual construction costs of the project, including a $75,000 allowance for engineering services.

“I’m pleased that MassDOT has selected Auburn as the recipient of a generous grant to cover the costs of its Pinrock Road Bridge renovation project,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “This bridge has long been in need of repairs, and because of these dollars awarded through the FAIR Program, the town can now get this project done without draining its yearly Chapter 90 funds. Thank you to the Governor, her administration, and everyone who helped make this grant a reality – I’m looking forward to the completion of these important repairs.”

Representative Paul Frost (R-Auburn) commented, “This is an important project for Auburn and I’m very grateful MassDOT is awarding this funding to get it done. Now over $800,000 can be saved by Auburn to be used for local roads.”

Over the last several years, the Town of Auburn’s Engineering Division has been working with MassDOT to identify opportunities to secure funding for the needed repairs to the Pinrock Road Bridge. After submitting a proposal written by the Engineering Division, MassDOT selected Auburn to receive funding from the FAIR Program. The proposal emphasized that, if left to the town’s typical Chapter 90 allocation, this project would divert a significant portion of funds away from other needed repairs and maintenance across the town.

Despite federal law requiring MassDOT to inspect all bridges in the Commonwealth, the cost of maintenance and replacement of municipal-owned bridges falls to the cities and towns they reside in. The FAIR Program, established by Governor Healey earlier this year, addresses the strain bridge repairs put on municipal budgets by providing a dedicated, centralized source of funding for these projects.

###

Senate Passes PROTECT Act to Defend Residents from Federal Immigration Overreach

(BOSTON 5/8/2026) — The Massachusetts Senate today passed sweeping legislation to protect residents from the Trump administration’s weaponization of federal immigration enforcement.

The PROTECT Act holds federal immigration agents legally accountable for civil rights violations, bars local and state police from participating in civil federal immigration enforcement, and prohibits immigration arrests at courthouses, houses of worship, schools, hospitals, and childcare facilities.

The bill also blocks unauthorized deployment of other states’ National Guards into Massachusetts and allows parents facing detention or deportation to pre-arrange guardianship for their children.

“The President was elected on platform of using ICE to go after ‘worst of the worst,’ but in cities and towns across America, we’re seeing indiscriminate and unconstitutional overreach by federal agents – terrorizing neighborhoods, splitting families, and hurting trust in Government to do the right thing,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “The PROTECT Act maintains the ability of our local law enforcement here in Massachusetts to protect our communities while ensuring state resources are not used to harass and disappear our neighbors. By taking a stand against the most cruel actions we’ve seen from agencies like ICE and Border Patrol, this bill will help keep families together, strengthen trust in local police, and protect Bay Staters in schools, hospitals, and places of worship. Although we have more to do, I’m proud that we’re taking these important steps toward making the Commonwealth a safer and more secure place to live for all.”

The legislation – S.3072, An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment – delivers targeted protections for those most at risk: young children, crime victims, legal residents with complex immigration statuses, and public employees subjected to federal intimidation.

The Senate’s PROTECT Act makes clear that none of its provisions limit local law enforcement’s ability to investigate and prosecute a crime.

Additional provisions of the bill include:

• Preventing Racial Profiling and Unnecessary Immigration Checks: Prohibits state and local law enforcement from stopping, questioning, or targeting individuals based solely on immigration or citizenship status, strengthening protections against discrimination.

• Strengthens Trust in Local Law Enforcement: Bars Massachusetts law enforcement from participating in new federal “287(g)” agreements that deputize local police to carry out federal immigration enforcement duties.

• Protects Sensitive Community Spaces: Prohibits warrantless civil immigration arrests in sensitive locations such as schools, childcare centers, hospitals, houses of worship, and state courthouses, helping ensure residents can access essential services without fear.

• Supports Families Facing Immigration Detention: Allows parents to establish pre-arranged guardianship plans so children can remain safely cared for if a parent is detained or deported.

• Limits Local Involvement in Civil Immigration Enforcement: Clarifies that state and local law enforcement may not participate in civil immigration enforcement activities, including detaining individuals solely on immigration detainers or using routine stops to inquire about immigration status, while preserving full authority to enforce criminal law.

• Protects Victims and Witnesses of Crime: Strengthens protections for immigrants who are victims or witnesses of crimes, including trafficking victims, and expedites visa processes so they can safely assist law enforcement and prosecutors.

• Safeguards Public Employees Acting in Good Faith: Expands protections for state and municipal employees by allowing indemnification when they are acting within the scope of their official duties, shielding them from inappropriate federal intimidation or legal pressure.

The bill builds on proposals offered by the Governor, the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, and the House of Representatives, as the Legislature and the Executive Branch recognize the gravity and urgency of these issues and work together to address them in a timely and coordinated way.

The legislation is a product of extensive input from Senators, immigrant rights groups, members of the public, and law enforcement officials.

Full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate’s press room.

The Senate passed the PROTECT Act on a 37-3 roll call vote and sent it back to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

###

Senate Delivers Mass Ready Act to Build a More Resilient, Sustainable Massachusetts

(BOSTON 4/17/2026) — The Massachusetts Senate this week passed the Mass Ready Act, an environmental bond bill that takes action to support the removal of ‘forever chemicals’ from drinking water, help municipalities withstand floods and droughts, and make outdoor recreation possible for more residents through improved trails and parks.

In an effort to preserve the natural world and cut down on pollution, the legislation would remove single-use plastic bags from retail checkout counters and take other steps to curb unnecessary and wasteful reliance on single-use plastics.

The bill – S.3050, formally known as An Act to build resilience for Massachusetts communities – features policy proposals such as the preservation of public beach access, expedited timelines for culvert replacement projects, and requirements to inform prospective homebuyers and renters of flood risks, in addition to $3.94 billion in bonding authorizations.

The bonding measures would allow strategic state borrowing, including $120 million for PFAS remediation in public water supplies and private drinking water wells, $500 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program to help prepare for extreme weather and climate challenges, and $50 million for MassTrails grants to support the development of recreational trail systems across Massachusetts.

During Senate debate, Second Worcester District Senator Michael Moore secured three amendments, including:

Amendment 1 – PFAS-free Firefighter gear grants

This amendment authorizes $25 million in bonding for the reduction of firefighters’ PFAS exposure through three main avenues – the purchase of PFAS-free protective turnout gear, the responsible disposal of equipment contaminated with PFAS, and the research and development of safer turnout gear that does not contain PFAS. The grant process will be managed by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and municipalities will be able to apply for grants following the final passage of the Mass Ready Act.

PFAS, or Polyfluoroalkyl substances, is a class designation that includes nearly 10,000 chemicals used to make everyday items fireproof, waterproof, or non-stick. Even at low levels, the toxicity of PFAS chemicals can be devastating, increasing the risk of cancer, immunosuppression, birth defects, colitis, and other diseases. Compounding these dangers is the persistent nature of PFAS chemicals, known as “forever chemicals” for their resistance to breaking down in the environment.

Amendment 3 – Restricting the use of Rodenticides

This amendment allows cities and towns to restrict the use of the most destructive anticoagulant rodenticides, many of which pose a great threat to the biodiversity of the Commonwealth. Anticoagulant rodenticides stop an animal’s body from creating blood clots using medications like warfarin, bromadiolone, and difethialone. This method of poisoning can take days to kill an animal that ingests it, creating an opportunity for the poisoned rodent to be eaten by predators like eagles, hawks, foxes, coyotes, and more – causing a cascading harm up the food chain and endangering Massachusetts’ fragile ecosystems. It also endangers the health of pets, who may eat unfinished rodenticide or find a rodent poisoned by it.

While the amendment practically bans the use of this class of pest control in the vast majority of situations, it maintains limited exceptions for licensed applicators in specific circumstances. Permits for use of anticoagulant rodenticides may be issued by the Department of Public Health for one-time indoor use to address an urgent public health emergency, though permits are limited to 14 days and require a written rationale on the need for this class of rat poisons over other alternatives.

Amendment 12 – Food trust program funding

This amendment increases the bond allocated to the Massachusetts Food Trust Program to $7.5 million from the bill’s original $5 million – an increase of $2.5 million that will help provide fresh, healthy food to underserved communities.

The Massachusetts Food Trust Program provides funds to local Community Developmental Financial Institutions in a public-private partnership. By financing independent grocers and farmers, the program helps expand access to fresh, locally grown food in low-income communities and areas that are underserved by national and regional chain supermarkets.

“From my years as a Massachusetts Environmental Police Officer to the office I hold in the State Senate, protecting our environment and the health of our communities has been a career-long mission of mine. The Mass Ready Act is a huge leap toward building a smarter, healthier, and more sustainable society here in the Commonwealth” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “I’m thrilled to have voted approve the important policies within this bill, and I’m proud to have secured three of amendments to this bill with the support of my colleagues. From providing funds to strip carcinogens out of our firefighters’ safety gear, to banning rat poisons that have been devastating our ecosystems, to expanding access to healthy, fresh food in the Gateway Cities and beyond, these policies will have a material impact on the everyday lives of Bay Staters. I’d like to thank my colleagues in the Senate for their support, and I’m hopeful that the House will join us in this effort to protect the world around us while making Massachusetts a cleaner, more sustainable place.”

The Senate’s Mass Ready Act would authorize state borrowing to invest in a resilient environment and an accessible natural world. Bonding authorizations support priorities in five key areas:

• Guarding Against Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events. Highlighted by $500 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, supporting climate resiliency planning in cities and towns.

• Protecting Clean Drinking Water and Soil. $450 million for the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust to protect access to clean water across the Commonwealth, in addition to $120 million for PFAS remediation in public and private wells. $125.5 million to support resource conservation and preservation initiatives, including $5.5 million for the Healthy Soils Grant Program.

•  Investing in Infrastructure. $225 million for coastal infrastructure and resilience. $800.5 million for properties and roadways owned and managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). $521.6 million for state and municipally owned dams across the Commonwealth.

• Conserving the Natural World. $30 million for tree-planting initiatives across the Commonwealth. $50 million for MassTrails Grants, including $10 million for accessibility upgrades that protect access to trails for all Massachusetts residents. $20 million to support the biodiversity goals of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG).

• Supporting Farmers and Nutritional Food Access. $20 million for capital investments to support the growth and economic competitiveness of the Commonwealth’s agricultural, commercial fishing and cranberry-growing sectors. $132.5 million for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) program including $7.5 million for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program (MFTP) to increase access to healthy, affordable food.

A core policy in the Senate’s Mass Ready Act would respond to increasing amounts of litter and pollution by prohibiting single-use plastic bags at retail stores. Shoppers would instead be able to check out with a recyclable paper bag or a reusable plastic bag.

Massachusetts residents are estimated to use billions of plastic bags per year. A plastic bag tossed to the side of a road can pose immediate risks, such as the suffocation or starvation of wildlife, while also fragmenting over time into microplastics that pollute the earth.

During the course of today’s debate, Senators voted to amend the bill with additional significant policies and bonding authorizations, including:

• Ensuring Clean Water in Schools. Dedicates $15 million for a grant program administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to address PFAS, lead, and other contaminants in schools and childcare centers through the installation of filtered water stations and faucets. Priority for the award of funds may be given to school districts or childcare centers in low income or environmental justice communities. (Amendment 2)

• Preventing PFAS Pollution. Focuses on proactive prevention of PFAS or 'forever chemical' pollution with $5 million to promote the use of safer alternatives to PFAS in products and manufacturing. Funds research, technical assistance, and a competitive grant program. (Amendment 87)

• Protecting Wildlife from Unintended Poisonings. Creates a local-option mechanism for towns and cities to choose to ban anticoagulant rodenticides. While anticoagulant poisons are targeted at killing rodents, they can prove a danger to pets or travel up the food chain and harm or kill other animals such as eagles and hawks. (Amendment 3 – introduced by Senator Moore)

• Monitoring Ocean Health. Protects natural wildlife and supports commercial fisheries by requiring more robust, centralized data collection around ocean acidification. Ocean acidification is caused by rising carbon levels in the air and other factors such as stormwater runoff and fertilizer pollution—and leads to damaged marine biodiversity and smaller shellfish crops. Authorizes $500,000 in bonding to establish a monitoring system. (Amendments 222 and 262)

Details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate press room.

The Senate passed the bill on a 36-3 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review.

###

Senate Acts to Reduce Firefighters’ Exposure to PFAS and Curb Rodenticide Use

(BOSTON 4/16/2026) — The Massachusetts Senate yesterday approved two important policies to reduce exposure to dangerous chemicals in the Commonwealth; one that creates a $25 million grant program for the development and purchase of PFAS-free firefighter turnout gear, and another that bans most uses of anti-coagulant rodenticides in the Bay State. Introduced by Second Worcester District Senator Michael Moore, both policies were adopted as amendments to the broader Mass Ready Act on a unanimous and bipartisan basis.

“I introduced these two amendments to the Mass Ready Act because I strongly believe that, when newer and cleaner solutions are developed, the harms of using risky chemicals begin to far outweigh the benefits. Thanks to my colleagues’ support, we are now one step closer to stripping toxic PFAS chemicals out of the gear our firefighters wear every day and firmly on the path to limiting the use of anti-coagulant rodenticides,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “I could not be more thrilled about the huge policy wins these amendments represent, and I know that the firefighters who will no longer have to wear toxic gear and the wildlife that will no longer inadvertently ingest poisonous prey are thankful too. I’d like to express my gratitude to my colleagues who voted in support of these amendments, to Senate President Karen Spilka for her leadership on these issues, and to all the advocates who have worked so hard to draw attention to these important issues.”

Amendment 1 – PFAS-free Firefighter Gear Grants

This amendment authorizes $25 million in bonding for the reduction of firefighters’ PFAS exposure through three main avenues – the purchase of PFAS-free protective turnout gear, the responsible disposal of equipment contaminated with PFAS, and the research and development of safer turnout gear that does not contain PFAS. The grant process will be managed by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and municipalities will be able to apply for grants following the final passage of the Mass Ready Act.

PFAS, or Polyfluoroalkyl substances, is a class designation that includes nearly 10,000 chemicals used to make everyday items fireproof, waterproof, or non-stick. These chemicals have become ubiquitous in products ranging from cookware to furniture to children’s toys – and critically, as a lining in firefighting turnout gear – despite posing dangerous health risks. Even at low levels, the toxicity of PFAS chemicals can be devastating, increasing the risk of cancer, immunosuppression, birth defects, colitis, and other diseases. Compounding these dangers is the persistent nature of PFAS chemicals, known as “forever chemicals” for their resistance to breaking down in the environment.

“This is another great day for our PFFM membership in our fight against occupational cancer that continues to plague the Fire Service,” said Paul Jacques, Legislative Agent for the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts. “Thank you to Senator Moore, Senate President Spilka, Ways & Means Chair Rodrigues, Senator Rausch, Chair Cronin, and Senator Cyr, as well as the entire Senate for passing this vital amendment to protect firefighters across the Commonwealth.”

This amendment is another step in the process of reducing Massachusetts firefighters’ exposure to PFAS chemicals, and comes halfway through the implementation of S.2902. Introduced by Senator Moore and passed in 2024, the bill creates new regulations for manufacturers of firefighting personal protective equipment, requiring a written notice to the purchaser that the equipment contains PFAS, the reason PFAS were used, and what specific PFAS chemicals are contained within the equipment. Further, the bill prohibits the manufacturing, distribution, or sale of firefighting turnout equipment that contains PFAS chemicals beginning on January 1st, 2027.

Protective turnout gear is expensive and firefighters typically have two sets – an expense of close to $10,000 per firefighter. Not only can these grants be used to purchase new PFAS-free gear, they can also be used to reimburse cities and towns who have already done so, alleviating some pressure on otherwise strained local budgets.

Amendment 3 – Restricting the use of Rodenticides

This amendment restricts the use of the most destructive anticoagulant rodenticides, many of which pose a great threat to the biodiversity of the Commonwealth. Anticoagulant rodenticides stop an animal’s body from creating blood clots using medications like warfarin, bromadiolone, and difethialone. This method of poisoning can take days to kill an animal that ingests it, creating an opportunity for the poisoned rodent to be eaten by predators like eagles, hawks, foxes, coyotes, and more – causing a cascading harm up the food chain and endangering Massachusetts’ fragile ecosystems. It also endangers the health of pets, who may eat unfinished rodenticide or find a rodent poisoned by it.

While the amendment practically bans the use of this class of pest control in the vast majority of situations, it maintains limited exceptions for licensed applicators in specific circumstances. Permits for use of anticoagulant rodenticides may be issued by the Department of Public Health for one-time indoor use to address an urgent public health emergency, though permits are limited to 14 days and require a written rationale on the need for this class of rat poisons over other alternatives.

“Thank you to the Senate for taking this meaningful step forward to protect the wildlife and companion animals from anti-coagulant rodenticides in the Commonwealth. Empowering local communities to regulate the products used within their borders enables them to more effectively preserve their natural resources and wildlife,” said Melissa Ekvall, Senior Advocacy Outreach and Research Coordinator for MSPCA-Angell. “We are grateful to Senator Moore and his team for their leadership and their commitment to the animals of Massachusetts”

“We are so grateful to Senator Moore, and all the cosponsors and proponents, who helped get the rodenticide amendment approved yesterday,” said Sam Anderson, Senior Director of Government Affairs at Mass Audubon. “And to the nearly 5,000 advocates who reached out to make their voices heard along with the 66 partner organizations and community groups, we are eternally grateful for your commitment to protect our wildlife and pets by reducing the use of anticoagulant rodenticides that poison the environment.”

This amendment is based on S.2721, a bill originally introduced by Senator Moore.

Details on the full legislation can be found online here.

The Mass Ready Act was passed on a 36-3 roll call vote. It has now been sent to the House of Representatives for further review.

###

Senate Acts to Lower Housing Costs, Expand Primary Care, Invest in Education and Transportation, More

(BOSTON 4/13/2026) — The Massachusetts Senate last week approved a budget plan that pairs statewide education and transportation investments with innovative policies to spur new multifamily housing construction, boost the family medicine workforce, protect immigrants, and ease strained municipal budgets with regionally equitable Fair Share investments.

The legislation, S.3041, exempts building materials from the sales tax for qualifying housing projects and boosts the primary care workforce by delivering scholarships to UMass Medical graduates who agree to practice in underserved populations in Massachusetts after graduation.

The bill sends significant funding to city and town budgets to help with the costs of heavy winter storms, increases reimbursements for special education services, and strengthens scientific research operations at public universities.

“The incredible success of the Fair Share Amendment is helping us make historic investments into our schools and transportation systems, and this legislation is the proof,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “Combined with smart, targeted policy changes that will help boost housing production and expand healthcare access across the Commonwealth, this Fair Share supplemental budget is a massive win for hardworking Bay Staters. I’m thrilled to have voted to approve this legislation, as I am to have secured earmarks for each and every city and town in the Second Worcester District. This is exactly the type of policy we need to keep Massachusetts the envy of the nation – I look forward to continuing these efforts through the rest of the term.”

During Senate debate, Senator Moore secured a number of earmarks supporting education and transportation in the Second Worcester District, including:

Regional

• $105,000 for Blackstone Valley Tech – in collaboration with Senator Rebecca Rausch and Senator Ryan Fattman

Auburn

• $70,000 for Auburn Public Schools to purchase sidewalk snowplow and salt spreader vehicles

Grafton

• $130,000 for Grafton Public Schools to upgrade classroom technology and purchase an activity van

Millbury

• $125,000 for Millbury Public Schools to purchase a wheelchair accessible van and upgrade school security systems

• $5,000 for vocational programming in partnership with the North Atlantic States Carpenters Union

Shrewsbury

• $82,500 for Shrewsbury Public Schools to upgrade school security systems

Westborough

• $115,000 to conduct a traffic study on Route 9 and upgrade roadway signage

• $12,500 for the Westborough Public Library

Worcester

• $130,000 for the repair or replacement of ADA non-compliant sidewalk wheelchair curb ramps

• $45,000 for Worcester State University’s Latino Educational Institute

Policy and funding highlights of the bill include:

Education Investments

As part of the Senate’s $618 million Fair Share investment in education, the legislation addresses Massachusetts’ shrinking primary care workforce with a pilot scholarship program.

The new approach uses $10 million in Fair Share funds to offer full-tuition scholarships for UMass Chan Medical School students pursuing family medicine if they commit to remaining in Massachusetts and serving populations in need for five years after graduation.

The legislation invests $100 million to ensure that Massachusetts’ public universities are able to withstand reductions in federal research funding and continue to strengthen their life-saving research and development operations, grow their renowned talent pipelines, and build strategic partnerships for the future. The funds would buoy the education and scientific research sectors through a new Public Higher Education Bridge Funding Reserve.

The bill features a new $32 million investment to provide immediate relief for strained municipal budgets by increasing special education reimbursement rates in the current fiscal year. That investment is part of a larger $232 million appropriation for special education costs and circuit breaker reimbursements.

The bill also includes $150 million toward supporting high-quality and accessible early education and care; $40 million for early literacy initiatives; and $18.3 million to expand financial assistance offered to Massachusetts students enrolled at state universities and UMass campuses. Additional investments of $2.5 million would boost school-based mental health support, and $1 million would help public schools implement bell-to-bell cell-phone free school policies.

Transportation & Municipal Relief Investments

As part of the Senate’s $763 million Fair Share investment in transportation, the bill sends $100 million to help towns and cities with extraordinary winter costs, including funds specifically marked for communities that were impacted by significant winter storms such as the historic Blizzard of 2026.

The bill also includes generational funding in statewide Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), funding for unpaved roads, and $535 million in direct support for the MBTA for operational funding, commuter rail support, and the low-income fare relief program.

The legislation’s transportation and education investments are possible because of the Fair Share surtax on households that earn more than $1 million per year. Fair Share revenues have continued to exceed expectations year after year, leading to mid-year supplemental packages such as this one.

Incentivizing New Housing Construction

The legislation includes a new targeted sales tax exemption for building materials to incentivize the construction of new affordable, moderate-income, and middle-income housing units for certain housing projects.

To target production in areas with the greatest need, the program focuses on projects that include at least 15% affordable units and projects in communities where the median household income is below 120% of the average household income.

Legal Defense for Massachusetts Immigrants

In response to federal legal actions targeting immigrants living in Massachusetts, the legislation invests an additional $1 million in legal defense services for immigrants, allocated from the state’s general fund.

The funding comes following the success of an initial $5 million investment by the Legislature that created the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative, which has already provided legal aid to hundreds of Massachusetts residents.

The Senate and the House proactively split off critical funding for the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), which was originally contained in this bill, and fast-tracked that $300 million supplemental appropriation to the Governor earlier this week.

The Senate passed the bill with a 35-4 roll call vote today and sent it back to the House of Representatives for further review.

###

Healey Administration Announces Grant Awards to Local Fire Departments

(BOSTON 4/10/2026) — Last week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that 307 Massachusetts fire departments will share $5 million in grant funding to support the purchase of new safety equipment. Within the Second Worcester District, the towns of Grafton, Millbury, Shrewsbury, Westborough, and the City of Worcester will share nearly $100,000 in grants between them.

“Our firefighters put their lives at risk on a daily basis to protect their neighbors. The least we can do is ensure that they have the best of the best when it comes to equipment to keep themselves safe too,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “I’m thrilled that the Governor has made it a priority to ensure these dollars reach the fire departments that need them most. I’m also encouraged that turnout gear – the protective equipment firefighters wear when battling flames – will be required to come with a notice if they are made with toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ if they are purchased this year, and will be required to be PFAS-free if purchased next year thanks to my 2024 legislation. I look forward to continuing our work in the legislature to further protect our firefighters’ health and safety.”

Passed in 2024, S.2902 – based on S.1556 and S.1502 – implements new regulations on manufacturers of firefighting personal protective equipment, requiring a written notice to the purchaser that the equipment contains PFAS, the reason PFAS were used, and what specific PFAS chemicals are contained within the equipment. Further, the bill prohibits the manufacturing, distribution, or sale of firefighting turnout equipment that contains PFAS chemicals beginning on January 1st, 2027. PFAS, or Polyfluoroalkyl substances, is a class designation that includes nearly 10,000 chemicals used to make everyday items fireproof, waterproof, or non-stick. Even at low levels, the toxicity of PFAS chemicals can be devastating, increasing the risk of cancer, immunosuppression, birth defects, colitis, and other diseases. Compounding these dangers is the persistent nature of PFAS chemicals, known as “forever chemicals” for their resistance to breaking down in the environment. Full details of the legislation can be found online here.

Fire departments across Massachusetts were invited to apply to the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program, which provides reimbursement on purchases of nearly 100 different types of equipment. Eligible items include hoses and nozzles, turnout gear, ballistic protective equipment, portable and mobile radios, thermal imaging cameras, hand tools and extrication equipment, hazardous gas meters, and more. In many cases, the purchase of this equipment will help departments attain compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration or National Fire Protection Association safety standards.

The grant amounts include:

• Town of Grafton – $13,313.83

• Town of Millbury – $19,000

• Town of Shrewsbury – $25,000

• Town of Westborough – $18,729.06

• City of Worcester – $19,922,36

The full list of awardees can be found in the Governor’s press release online here.

###

NCSL Urges Congress to Maintain States’ Rights to Regulate Banks, Lenders

(BOSTON 4/8/2026) — The National Conference of State Legislatures recently sent a bipartisan letter calling on DC lawmakers to change course on a draft bill eliminating states’ ability to draft financial privacy and data security regulations that exceed federal standards. The bill, meant as an update to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), would amend Section 507 to preempt any state-level law that establishes privacy or security regulations for financial institutions subject to GLBA – even when those laws strengthen protections for consumers. The letter is addressed to Representative French Hill (R-AR), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, and to Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), the Committee’s Ranking Member.

“Massachusetts’ nation-leading consumer protection laws are no accident – they are the product of decades of advocacy, research, and accountability for corporations that have played fast and loose with the private information of everyday Bay Staters. The update to the GLBA that Congress is currently drafting would undermine that work and strip states of the tools we need to defend consumers against bad actors, whether they are greedy financial corporations or cybercriminals looking to steal sensitive data,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “As the chair of the Massachusetts Legislature’s top tech committee, the vice chair of its top finance committee, and the co-chair of the NCSL’s banking committee, this action stands at the intersection of the issues that are most important to me. The GLBA was intended from its conception to establish minimum data protection standards for banks, credit unions, and lenders; by preempting state laws, Republican majorities in Congress are effectively loosening these standards. I stand with the NCSL as they ask DC to reconsider this action. And if they don’t? Ask yourself – who does that benefit?”

The GLBA was passed in 1999 and signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Its most splashy policy change at the time was a relaxation of the Depression-era Glass-Steagall Act rules that legalized mega-mergers between investment banks, commercial banks, and insurance companies. But another critical piece – the policy most relevant when discussing the GLBA today – is its establishment of a three-pronged approach to protecting the sensitive consumer data collected by the institutions Americans bank with, receive loans from, and invest through. Its ‘pretexting provision’ bans the solicitation and disclosure of personal data by false pretenses; the ‘financial privacy rule’ requires that a financial institution provide written privacy policies to its customers; and the ‘safeguards rule’ requires institutions regularly assess internal and external risks to customer data and implement comprehensive security programs to keep its data safe. Critically, these provisions established minimum rules, allowing states to go beyond them if their legislatures chose to do so.

In the years since its passage, several states have written rules that go further than the GLBA’s data privacy protections, most notably California. America’s most populated state and amongst the world’s largest economies, California’s standard effectively became the nation’s standard after its passage, broadening the scope of data covered by the law, reversing the GLBA’s data sharing opt-out provision to require an explicit opt-in if an institution wishes to share a consumer’s data, allowing California residents to sue financial institutions for certain data breaches, and more. While not written into law in most states, many of these stricter standards are extended nationwide to simplify a covered financial institution’s compliance and legal exposure.

Despite over 20 years of these regulations being in place, Congress – with GOP majorities in both chambers – has decided to include a preemption clause in an update to the GLBA it is currently drafting. Republicans argue that allowing states to go above and beyond the law’s baseline standards create a fragmented regulatory environment, but the NCSL letter argues that these concerns are overstated and don’t capture the reality of how states and institutions have acted over the past two decades. The letter states, “In practice, state financial privacy and data security laws have increasingly converged around core principles, including reasonable data security obligations, limits on use and sharing of sensitive financial data and strong enforcement by state regulators. Many businesses already mitigate compliance burdens by aligning their practices with the highest applicable standards across jurisdictions, rather than tailoring policies on a state-by-state basis.”

States have proven that they can act faster and are more responsive to cybersecurity and data privacy risks than Congress, the letter argues. “An inflexible across-the-board preemption of state authority would freeze consumer financial privacy standards in statute, stifle innovation and prevent states from responding to unforeseen harms, including data breaches, misuse of biometric or geolocation data and risks arising from new financial technologies and artificial intelligence.”

Privacy and consumer protection laws have a long precedent for acting as a minimum standard, as the GLBA has. HIPAA, FERPA, and COPPA are settled in law as a regulatory floor just as the GLBA has been until recently, the letter states. It argues that states should retain the long-held authority to respond to risks that uniquely affect their residents and financial markets.

“We respectfully urge the committee to reconsider the scope of the draft’s preemption language and to restore GLBA’s traditional balance between national standards and state authority. NCSL and state legislators stand ready to work with the committee to strengthen consumer financial privacy and security while respecting the essential role states play in protecting residents, overseeing markets and responding to emerging risks,” the letter closes.

The proposed language preempting state laws on GLBA regulations continues a pattern of DC considering revoking or following through on revoking state regulatory authority. Senator Moore led a group of 13 Massachusetts legislators last year urging Congress to reject language in the so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ that would place a 10-year moratorium on state-level artificial intelligence regulation. NCSL also early this year urged Congress to address betting markets like Polymarket and Kalshi that operate under ‘event contract’ rules, evading state-level laws by misrepresenting business practices. While the AI regulation moratorium was stripped from the OBBB and failed in a subsequent bill, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order implementing it on a shaky legal footing, while Congress has still yet to address the betting market issue.

The letter is signed by Marcus C. Evans Jr., President of NCSL and a Democratic Representative in the Illinois House, as well as Barry Usher, NCSL President-Elect and a Republican Senator in the Montana Senate.

Full text of the letter can be viewed online here.

###

Senate Passes FARM Bill to Support the Farms that Feed Massachusetts

(BOSTON 4/2/2026) — Yesterday, the Massachusetts Senate passed the FARM Bill, agricultural legislation aimed at supporting Massachusetts’ 7,000 farms, making it easier for families to buy fresh and healthy food, and protecting the state’s food supply for the future.

The legislation – formally known as S.3029, An Act fostering agricultural resilience in Massachusetts – is a major step forward in supporting Massachusetts farmers and growing the state’s agricultural economy. It builds on a recent special commission report focused on making Massachusetts agricultural operations sustainable for the 21st century.

The FARM Bill helps owners of small farms to grow their businesses by removing hurdles and making agritourism ventures possible, such as corn mazes and ‘pick your own’ berry and fruit operations. The legislation also supports expanding farm operations with a local option property tax exemption for new agricultural buildings.

“Farms in Central Massachusetts provide fresh, nutritious, and sustainable food both to the communities they reside in as well as to cities and town across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “This bill furthers the Legislature’s commitment to supporting these small businesses while expanding the economic opportunities that allow them to hire more workers and support the economy. It also helps get the fresh produce grown on these farms onto school lunch tables and into low-income families’ grocery carts. I’m thrilled to stand with the hardworking men and women who do this honest work, and I look forward to finding more ways to support farms in the Second Worcester District and beyond.”

The bill makes it easier for residents to access healthy food, making permanent the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) to help families afford fresh produce and the Farm to School program to bring local ingredients into schools. By codifying these programs, the Senate is continuing its response to federal actions that threaten food access as a part of the Senate’s Response 2025 initiative. A further Response 2025 priority requires that state emergency planning efforts prioritize the security of the local food supply chain given federal cuts to emergency planning.

The FARM Bill additionally requires regular reporting on the distribution of local produce through food banks, universal school meals, Meals on Wheels, the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), and other food assistance programs. This data will help assesses the damage from detrimental federal actions such as the elimination of the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which purchased food from historically underserved Massachusetts farmers and provided it to underserved communities.

Supporting Farmers and Growing the Agricultural Economy

The legislation includes key provisions to help farmers remain viable and expand their operations. New farm buildings and structures would receive a five-year property tax exemption under a local option program added to the bill during debate. Senators voted 38-0 to adopt the property tax exemption (Amendment 5).

The bill also expands opportunities for farmers to participate in agritourism, makes the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) Program permanent, and eases the water permitting process for cranberry growers.

Planning for the Future of Agriculture and Climate Change

The FARM Bill includes forward-looking initiatives to protect farmland and improve long-term planning by creating a statewide agricultural land database and improving the evaluation of the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program to ensure long-term sustainability.

It directs emergency planning efforts to prioritize local food production and avoid supply chain disruptions, and explores renewable energy opportunities on farmland, balancing clean energy goals with agricultural land preservation.

The Senate passed the bill on a 39-0 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review.

###

Animal Anti-Cruelty Legislation Passes Unanimously in the Senate

(BOSTON 3/20/2026) — The Massachusetts Senate yesterday unanimously passed legislation to end the inhumane puppy-mill-to-pet-shop pipeline by cutting off commercial sales of cats and dogs in Massachusetts pet stores.

The bill, nicknamed the PETS Act, would also end harsh, unnecessary testing of animal subjects for non-medical purposes; boost animal wellbeing; and make responsible pet ownership possible for more people.

“Yesterday’s unanimous, bipartisan vote to pass the PETS Act is a testament to the Senate’s commitment to protecting animals here in the Commonwealth. Ending the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores, banning unnecessary animal testing, bolstering anti-cruelty penalties, and establishing protections for pet owners in public housing are all important steps toward improving life both for Bay Staters and our furry friends,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “I’m proud to support legislation like this, and I can’t wait to go further to defend animal welfare in Massachusetts. My bill banning pet ownership for five years following an individual’s animal abuse conviction and another requiring courts consider a pet’s wellbeing during divorce proceedings unfortunately did not make it into this legislation – but I am committed to continuing to advocate for these important policies.”

Under S.3014, An Act promoting pet equity, treatment, and safety, pet shops could display animals from nonprofits for adoption, but for‑profit sales – often linked to large commercial breeders known as puppy mills –would be banned. A growing number of states have banned the sale of cats and dogs in licensed retail pet stores. 

To make pet ownership possible for more Massachusetts residents, the PETS Act would require the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to create a uniform pet ownership program for residents of state-aided public housing. Public housing facilities would be prohibited from discriminating based on a pet’s breed or size. The legislation’s breed acceptance measures go further by prohibiting homeowner insurance companies from factoring a dog’s breed into underwriting, rating, or renewal decisions.

To promote animal welfare, the bill would prohibit manufacturers from subjecting animals to unnecessary chemical testing for non-medical research, sparing innocent animals from harsh conditions. It would also extend a state law which protects dogs from cruelty to cover all household pets, ensuring adequate food, water, and sanitary conditions. The legislation would also protect livestock and other animals by adding civil penalties to enforce existing anti-cruelty statutes.

During today’s session, Senators amended the bill to expand the 2022 research animal protection law and apply its provisions to all research facilities that test on dogs and cats, beyond the law’s original focus on higher education facilities. The law requires facilities to assess the health of former animal test subjects and then, if appropriate, make them available for adoption as pets.

The Senate passed the bill on a 38-0 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review.

###

Senate Passes the BRIGHT Act to Invest in Public Higher Education Facilities

(BOSTON 2/27/2026) — The Massachusetts Senate yesterday unanimously passed the BRIGHT Act, a $3.28 billion bond bill that will invest in upgrades to public higher education campuses across Massachusetts and strengthen the learning experiences of students at community colleges, state universities, and UMass campuses.

The legislation – S.2962, An Act to build resilient infrastructure to generate higher-ed transformation – will update facilities and address the backlog of deferred campus maintenance by harnessing the power of ‘Fair Share’ revenues to back a new state bond issuance.

The generational investment package builds on recent Senate-led policies to make public higher education more affordable and accessible, including tuition-free community college and historic increases to financial aid. Recent advancements make a tuition- and fee-free education possible for all Pell-eligible students attending four-year universities, and allow students from moderate-income families to attend at half the cost.

During debate, the Senate adopted an amendment introduced by Second Worcester District Senator Michael Moore ensuring funds from the sale or lease of a public college’s buildings or land would be allocated to the institution that sold it.

“Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities have long been the envy of the nation, and we are continuing our commitment to our students with this investment package,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “The BRIGHT Act will direct dollars toward upgrading, modernizing, and in some cases, transforming our campuses across the Commonwealth, bringing the standard for a public higher education in the United States that much higher. Investments in our youth are some of the best we can make, and this bill is yet another reason why I deeply believe the future of the Bay State is bright.”

An expected $2.5 billion worth of projects over the next 10 years will help cover deferred maintenance, repairs, and major capital projects through a mix of bonding and cash investments. Projects include lab modernization, workforce development facilities, and climate resilience and energy efficiency priorities. The bill will also provide support for public colleges and universities to turn unused campus property into housing or mixed-use developments, and simplify the process for selling or leasing surplus land.

To finance BRIGHT Act projects, the legislation would dedicate $125 million per year from the ‘Fair Share’ surtax on high-earning households to create and back a new special revenue bond. The state collected roughly $3 billion in total Fair Share revenues in 2025.

Looking beyond the funding and bonds that would be issued over the next 10 years, the bill ensures the state will permanently bolster the resources that are directed toward higher education capital projects. It requires that the annual $125 million stream of Fair Share surtax revenue continue to be directed toward higher education capital projects in perpetuity.

The $3.28 billion that the state would be authorized to issue in support of public higher education capital projects includes:

• $1.25 billion for projects on state university and community college campuses;

• $1.25 billion for projects on University of Massachusetts campuses;

• $120 million to support well-equipped laboratories at public higher education institutions, modern facilities to foster career-oriented collaboration between community colleges and vocational technical schools, and health facilities to promote students’ wellbeing;

• $100 million toward the creation of housing and mixed-use developments on campus properties;

• $100 million to advance regional economic and workforce development through a competitive grant program for equipment and facilities for career technical education and training programs;

• $275 million for the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) Tower Building, where high priority critical repairs are needed;

• $80 million for campus energy efficiency and decarbonization;

• $50 million for a competitive grant program for capital improvements at public higher education campuses, including climate resilience upgrades;

• $30 million for campus master planning; and

• $20 million for technology improvements that support students and facilitate remote and hybrid learning.

Additional details of the bill are available in a fact sheet in the Senate Press Room.

The Senate passed the bill on a 38-0 roll call vote. It now goes to the House of Representatives for further review.

###

Senate Modernizes Unit Pricing Law to Support Small Businesses

(BOSTON 2/26/2026) — The Massachusetts Senate today passed a bill modifying the Commonwealth’s unit pricing exemption law to keep the policy in line with its original intent; to support neighborhood bodegas, convenience stores, and small family-owned grocery shops by modernizing the unit pricing law.  

The bill, introduced and championed by Second Worcester District Senator Michael Moore, ensures that smaller retailers will continue to be exempt from unit pricing requirements. While unit pricing laws are extremely useful for consumers to compare prices between similar products at large supermarkets, places like convenience stores typically only stock one or two of each item on offer – creating a costly regulatory burden for small businessowners to implement a label that isn’t useful to most customers.

“The unit pricing exemption is a simple way to cut expenses for small businesses and support the communities they serve. However, in the two decades since the policy was written into law, the $5 million revenue threshold for the exemption has remained the same while the cost of products has risen significantly,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “This legislation makes small tweaks to how a store’s revenue is calculated to ensure the law continues to apply to the corner stores and small businesses it was originally intended to protect. I’d like to thank Senate President Karen Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues for recognizing the importance of this issue for our local economies, as well as Senator Pavel Payano and his committee for upholding the spirit of consumer protection laws while making reasonable carveouts for small businessowners who are struggling in today’s economy.”

Massachusetts has offered an exemption from unit pricing for more than two decades to retailers with lower sales volumes – defined as establishments that generate less than $5 million in in-store sales each year, including sales of Lottery products and gift cards. 

With the steady rise of inflation, introduction of higher-value Lottery products, and increased popularity of pre-paid gift cards, local businesses are more apt to exceed the exemption threshold. The legislation – S.2965, An Act updating the unit pricing exemption threshold – removes Lottery and gift card sales from the calculation of whether a store can be included in the statewide unit price exemption. 

During the course of today’s debate, Senators voted to amend the bill to codify an existing exemption that removes gasoline and other motor fuel sales from the calculation.   

Full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate Press Room. 

The Senate passed the bill on a 37-0 roll call vote. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for further review. 

###

Lawmakers Call on Congress to Address Unregulated Betting Markets

(DENVER 2/18/2026) — The National Conference of State Legislatures’ top finance committee in late January sent a letter to United States Senators urging them to reaffirm existing laws that give states the authority to regulate online sports betting and casino-style gambling. Websites such as Polymarket and Kalshi, which brashly advertise with slogans like “bet on anything,” have experienced unprecedented growth in recent years while skirting gambling regulations by classifying themselves as selling “event contracts.” This legal loophole allows these companies to operate nationwide while dodging important regulatory safeguards, including licensing standards, consumer protections, ‘know your consumer’ requirements, anti-money laundering rules, and regular compliance audits.

The NCSL’s Banking, Financial Services and Insurance Committee, on which Massachusetts Second Worcester District Senator Michael Moore serves as co-chair, writes that “prediction markets enable participants to buy and sell contracts based on the outcomes of future events, and in practice they function in ways that closely mirror legal sports wagering.” The letter urges Senators to include language that bolsters states’ existing authority to regulate these platforms under Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association as the chamber considers cryptocurrency-related legislation.

“I want to be very clear: Massachusetts has the legal authority to regulate betting markets that operate like Polymarket and Kalshi. So, why is this letter necessary? Because these corporations are misrepresenting what they are to shield themselves from regulations that protect everyday people and taxes that fund critical state services. Congress must act immediately to force these companies to stop pretending they are anything other than online gambling platforms,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “It is not our goal to eliminate online gambling in Massachusetts, but betting platforms must operate on a level playing field and under a robust set of laws that are designed to defend Bay Staters from addiction, illicit business practices, and other drawbacks of these technologies. I am hopeful that NCSL’s bipartisan call to close this loophole will spur quick action in DC because using complicated classification minutiae to stiff our people will not be tolerated – in Massachusetts or anywhere else.”

Regulated betting markets, including platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel, have contributed $328 billion in economic activity in the 39 states that have legalized sports gambling, and have generated $53 billion in tax revenue while supporting 1.8 million jobs. Unregulated markets like Polymarket and Kalshi offer similar services while significantly reducing their tax and regulatory burden as “commodity” trades, despite over $1.6 billion in trading volume on the recent Super Bowl LX according to some analyses.

The letter comes as Commodity Futures Trading Commission chairman Michael Selig yesterday filed an amicus brief in federal court arguing that his agency has the sole authority to regulate prediction markets, preempting state regulations. Chairman Selig, appointed by President Donald Trump in October 2025 and confirmed by the US Senate in December, argues that the CFTC has exclusive jurisdiction over “event contract” prediction markets.

“Several Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)-registered prediction market platforms have ignored important regulatory safeguards, disregarding state gaming laws and diverting hundreds of millions of dollars in potential revenue that supports essential state and local services, including public safety, schools and infrastructure,” the letter states. “Furthermore, CFTC regulations, adopted under the Commodity Exchange Act, explicitly prohibit contracts involving gaming or any activity unlawful under state law. Thirty-nine state attorneys general have made it clear that these sports related event contracts violate their state laws.”

The letter closes by emphasizing that effective laws regulating sports betting and online gambling have been passed by bipartisan majorities in both red states and blue states. “Preserving state authority and flexibility in this area is essential.”

The letter was signed by co-chairs of the NCSL Banking, Financial Service and Insurance Committee Representative Jim Dunnigan (R-Utah) and Senator Michael Moore (D-Massachusetts), as well as Committee Vice-Chairs Representative Brenda Carter (D-Michigan) and Representative Michael Meredith (R-Kentucky). It was addressed to Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Chairman Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) and to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chairman John Boozeman (R-Arkansas) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota).

The full letter can be found online here.

###

Senate Passes New Protections for Massachusetts Car Buyers

(BOSTON 2/13/2026) — The Massachusetts Senate acted yesterday to strengthen consumer rights for people who buy new and used vehicles by expanding the state’s car buyer protection law, increasing the mileage for used car warranties, and strengthening the bonds that give relief to victims of auto sale fraud.

Lengthening the state’s Lemon Law timeline, customers who purchase a new or used vehicle would have seven days after receiving delivery of the auto to void the sale if the vehicle fails to pass inspection.

The bill would also boost the maximum mileage for used vehicle warranties by 50,000 miles – up to 175,000 miles – protecting drivers who buy older and more affordable cars.

“Having a reliable car is essential for people who live in rural areas or in places that are underserved by public transportation. We have to make sure that there are robust protections for buyers who are making a purchase that often runs them tens of thousands of dollars,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “By updating our lemon laws and extending manufacturer warranties, we are giving additional peace of mind to hardworking Bay Staters that they won’t fall into financial ruin if their vehicle has a defect.”

Guarding consumers from the effects of fraud, the legislation doubles – up to $50,000 – the surety bond that used car dealers are required to post to receive their license. The bond is held for the benefit of any buyer who experiences fraud. S.2945, An Act modernizing protections for consumers in automobile transactions, also supports people who choose to lease their car by giving lessees a 21-day grace period to catch up on their payments before their car is repossessed.

Full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate’s press room.

The Senate passed the bill 38-0 and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review.

###

Senate Acts to Strengthen Fair Housing Protections Across Massachusetts

(BOSTON 2/13/2026) — Today, the Massachusetts Senate took action to give everyone a fair shot at access to housing.

Illegal discrimination continues to hamper many homebuyers’ and renters’ ability to find a home. The legislation – S.2947, An Act regarding fair housing practices in the Commonwealth – takes aim at discrimination in the housing market by mandating fair housing training for all real estate agents and strengthening state enforcement of fair housing law.

“Housing discrimination has no place in Massachusetts. In a moment where the Trump Administration is abandoning its responsibility to investigate and prosecute even the most blatant examples of discrimination based on skin color, ethnicity, or housing voucher use, we will step in to protect our neighbors,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “Here in the Commonwealth, fairness and equity are two of our most closely held values. Anyone who violates these core principles must be held responsible.”

In a 2020 study by the Boston Foundation and Suffolk University, researchers found that 71% of Black participants faced housing discrimination and were 30% more likely to be “ghosted” by real estate agents. The same study found that renters of all backgrounds with housing vouchers were highly likely to be prevented from even seeing apartments.

The legislation would toughen penalties for second-offense fair housing law violations, increasing a current 90-day license suspension to 180 days. Violations include discrimination against potential renters or buyers based on characteristics such as their color, ancestry, marital status, or use of a housing voucher. In cases where violations occur, the bill bridges an existing gap in the license suspension process by allowing the Attorney General and fair housing agencies to directly refer findings of violations to the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.

The legislation comes after the Trump Administration abandoned its responsibility to enforce federal fair housing law, and instead vilified equity measures and the City of Boston for “discriminating against white people”.

Under the bill, applicants for a real estate license would, as part of their broader educational requirements, receive four hours of classroom instruction on fair housing law and current real estate agents would receive two hours of instruction as part of their license renewal process. The training would help agents avoid discrimination against potential buyers or renters based on demographics like race, national origin, religion, disability, or age, all of which is illegal under state and federal law.

Full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate’s press room.

The Senate passed the bill 38-0 and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review.

###

Charges Announced in the Death of Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia

(BOSTON 2/10/2026) — Special prosecutor David E. Meier yesterday announced that four Massachusetts State Police academy instructors had been indicted as part of an independent investigation into the death of State Trooper Enrique Delgado-Garcia. Meier, who was appointed by Attorney General Andrea Campbell following strong advocacy for an independent investigation from the three state senators representing Delgado-Garcia’s hometown of Worcester, was given full autonomy and authority to make charging decisions. More than 150 people testified before a Worcester County Grand Jury as part of Meier’s investigation.

Just weeks away from graduation, Delgado-Garcia died from serious head injuries during a training exercise in a boxing ring at the Massachusetts State Police Academy in September 2024. Delgado-Garcia received his trooper badge and the State Police oath of office was administered in his UMass Memorial Medical Center hospital room in the final hours of his life on September 13th.

Three instructors and one supervisor will face felony charges of involuntary manslaughter, and the supervisor will also face perjury charges for lying to a grand jury. The officials charged include Lieutenant Jennifer Penton, Trooper Edwin Rodriquez, Trooper David Montanez, and Trooper Casey LaMonte.

“Trooper Delgado-Garcia’s death was egregious and preventable. It is absolutely unacceptable that an effective training program for Massachusetts State Police officers must carry risk of serious injury or death for the promising young men and women who aspire to serve their neighbors in the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Michael Moore (D-Second Worcester). “I hope that special prosecutor Meier’s findings are the first steps on the long path to closure for everyone who knew and loved Enrique, and that justice is served to those who played a role in his death. I am encouraged by the changes already being made to the Academy, and I hope reforms will continue to ensure future classes of recruits don’t have to face the dangers that cost Trooper Delgado-Garcia his life.”

“Since last fall, we have been pushing for accountability and justice for Enrique Delgado-Garcia and his family. We are grateful to the Attorney General for appointing an independent investigator and to Attorney David Meier for ensuring a thorough investigation," said State Senator Robyn Kennedy (D-First Worcester). "While the Massachusetts State Police have already implemented necessary changes to the MSP Training Academy program, the findings of the investigation make clear that charges are appropriate and necessary to ensure accountability and justice for Enrique are achieved. This moment does not mark the end of the work. Our thoughts remain with Enrique’s family, and we will continue to stand with them as this process moves forward and as efforts continue to ensure this never happens again.”

In the days following Enrique Delgado-Garcia’s death, the three senators representing Worcester – Senators Moore, Kennedy, and Durant – sent a letter to Attorney General Campbell requesting the appointment of a conflict-of-interest Special Assistant Attorney General to investigate his death and to conduct a broader probe into the Academy’s culture and tolerance of harassment. The letter also requested that all findings be issued as a public report, and for it to include recommendations for changes to policy, practices, and culture at the State Police, including any changes to state laws or regulations.

The three Worcester senators followed up with another letter in February 2025 requesting Attorney General Campbell provide an update on the status of the investigation. “Trooper Delgado-Garcia’s family has patiently waited for answers to some of the hardest questions they will ever have to ask. Any information that you may be able to share related to the status of the investigation, the estimated duration of the investigation, and any preliminary factual findings would be deeply appreciated,” the Senators wrote in the letter.

Specifics on the events that led to Trooper Delgado-Garcia’s death were not shared in the report or during Meier’s press conference due to the ongoing criminal charges, but the special prosecutor said, “members of the State Police Training Academy committed a series of wanton and reckless acts in connection with various defensive tactics and physical confrontation training exercises conducted at the academy.” Meier emphasized that Delgado-Garcia’s death was not the result of targeted malice, but rather negligence of the Academy’s instructors.

The Massachusetts State Police Academy, located in New Braintree, is known for its intense curriculum, with frequent comparisons to paramilitary-style structures that push recruits to their limits. According to a Boston Globe report, at least 100 recruits were injured in the four most recent recruiting classes, with at least 24 requiring medical care at a hospital or urgent care center. The Globe also reports that dropout rates are significantly higher than national averages.

A new leader of the Massachusetts State Police was announced by Governor Maura Healey shortly after Trooper Delgado-Garcia’s death. Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble has since suspended the Academy’s boxing program and has asked the International Association of Chiefs of Police to review its training style and curriculum.

Enrique Delgado-Garcia graduated from Worcester’s North High School in 2017. Following his graduation, he became a victim-witness advocate for Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.’s office before leaving to join the Massachusetts State Police. Because of his connection to District Attorney Early’s office, the authority who would typically investigate an incident like this, the DA declined to handle the investigation, citing the potential conflict of interest.

###

Senate Acts to Boost Youngest Students’ Reading Education

(BOSTON 2/3/2026) — The Massachusetts Senate last week passed legislation that supports young learners by ensuring reading instruction is rooted in proven, evidence-based practices.

The bill creates new statewide standards for literacy education and assessment, offers professional development resources for educators, and offers flexible options and supplemental funding for public schools that work to implement evidence-based curricula.

The bill, S.2924, An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy, ensures that every Massachusetts student from kindergarten to 3rd grade learns to read using phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and phonemic awareness – practices that data shows as the best building blocks for lifetime learning.

During Senate debate, Second Worcester District Senator Michael Moore introduced an amendment to expand Massachusetts’ existing public school vision screening program to include a database where results can be centralized and necessary follow-up appointments or treatment can be tracked to ensure no students fall through the cracks. This language reflects the contents of S.166 – An Act to close the achievement gap by addressing disparities in children’s vision, which Senator Moore has reintroduced over several sessions. Though proper eyesight is necessary to support children’s literacy, the amendment was withdrawn due to insufficient support.

“In recent years, a troubling trend as emerged; children in schools across the nation have been falling behind on their reading abilities,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “The good news is that this trend is reversable – we just need to give teachers the tools they need to get students back up to speed. I’m proud that the Senate is acting on this important issue, and although my amendment to expand children’s vision screenings in schools did not make it across the finish line, I’m still hopeful that we can continue our efforts to support kids in the most formative years of their education. After all, if a student is struggling to see the words on the page of a book, no amount of teaching will help until the child gets the glasses they need.”

To support school districts and educators with implementation, the legislation would create a new Early Literacy Fund seeded with $25 million in ‘Fair Share’ funding to help districts with costs and support educators’ professional development. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) would also make additional professional development resources available.

Schools would have three DESE-approved options to implement the new curriculum requirement: utilize a complete curriculum that is made available for free by DESE; use a curriculum from a list that meets evidence-based criteria; or receive a waiver authorizing the use of another curriculum that meets the same standards but had not been previously reviewed and approved by DESE.

The legislation makes sure parents and schools engage in constructive communication about student progress. It requires twice-yearly assessments to gauge every young learner’s reading progress and to screen for dyslexia, and requires schools to contact a parent or guardian within 30 days if a student has fallen significantly behind and propose a response if that is the case.

Full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate’s press room.

The Senate passed the bill unanimously on a 38-0 roll call vote, and the legislation was sent to the House of Representatives to reconcile the few differences between Senate and House bills.

###