The Legislative Advocacy Committee (LAC) is evaluating bills as they are filed for the new legislative session (2021-2022) over the next couple of months. We will begin posting the bills we are supporting in the 2021-2022 session later this spring.
The legislative advocacy efforts of the LWVMA are led by the Legislative Action Committee (LAC), composed of the League’s volunteer legislative specialists.  Each legislative specialist follows one or more focus areas.  For those areas, the specialist researches bills filed with the Massachusetts legislature, recommends League action, writes testimony on the League’s position to submit to the relevant committee of the legislature, and follows the progress of the bill. The bills LWVMA acts on must be consistent with LWVMA or LWVUS positions. The specialist may also join with approved coalition partners or advocacy groups to work together to support or oppose bills. The Legislative Action Committee decides on support for or opposition to a bill, with the LWVMA board of directors retaining final authority on those decisions.
Legislative specialists encourage League members who are interested in closely following an area of legislation or a specific bill to contact them and be added to that specialist’s “team” for notifications of committee hearings and other activities related to specific legislation.
To contact any of the legislative specialists, email specialists@lwvma.org.
Bills Followed by LWVMA in the 2019-2020 Legislative Session, listed by subject area
The bill numbers listed are the numbers initially assigned. Those numbers will change many times during the legislative process. You can find the new numbers by clicking on the numbers below, then following the links under “Bill History” on a bill’s page on the legislature’s website.
Affordable Housing, Clare Gordon
| Â Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H1305/S797 | Update state’s rental voucher program | An Act codifying the Mass. rental voucher program | Support Testimony |
| H1288/S775 | Provisions to expand housing for people with low and moderate incomes | An Act relative to housing reform | Support Testimony |
| H1264 | Provide rent support to prevent families from losing homes | An Act to further provide a rental arrearage program | Support Testimony |
Children and Family Issues, Palma McLaughlin
| Â Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H102 | Set floor for welfare benefits | An Act to reduce deep poverty among kids | Support Testimony |
| S36 | An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty | ||
| H591/S267 | Make breakfast available after school begins | An Act regarding breakfast after the bell | Support Testimony |
| H104 | Repeal family cap on welfare benefits | An Act to lift the cap on kids | Support Testimony |
| S37 | An Act relative to the well-being and care of a child | ||
| H197/S125 | Domestic violence education for salon employees | An Act to mandate domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education for aestheticians, barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, hairdressers, manicurists, and massage therapists | Support Testimony |
| H585/S256 | Outline how schools deal with meal debt | An Act to promote student nutrition | Support Testimony |
| H3334/S865 No longer active this session | Domestic violence training for child advocates | An Act relative to improving training for child advocates to recognize indicators of domestic violence | Support Testimony |
Criminal Justice and Courts, Nancy Bettinger, Lucy Costa
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H3420/S825 | Raise age of juvenile jurisdiction gradually to include 18-20 year-olds | An Act to promote public safety and better outcomes for young adults | Support Testimony Action Alert 10/18/19 |
| H1486/S940 No longer active this session | Revise how criminal justice system deals with those under 25 or 26 | An Act to reduce the recidivism among emerging adults | Support Testimony |
| H1386/S900 No longer active this session | Expungement of certain charges against juveniles | An Act relative to expungement | Support Testimony |
| H1493/S1014 No longer active this session | Decriminalize consensual adolescent sexual relations | An Act clarifying consent laws for adolescents | Support Testimony |
| H3457/S1390 | Changes to parole board | An Act relative to parole | Support Testimony (H.3457) Testimony (S.1390) Action Alert 10/18/19 |
| H1541 No longer active this session | Require release on parole unless evidence of danger | An Act establishing presumptive parole | Support Testimony Action Alert 10/18/19 |
| H3358/S826 No longer active this session | Require parole hearing after serving 25 years | An Act to reduce mass incarceration | Support Testimony |
| H1343/S937 | Support treatment, not jail, if an addict relapses | An Act relative to treatment, not imprisonment | Support Testimony Action Alert 10/18/19 |
| H2047/S1379 | Eliminate broad restrictions on prison visits | An Act to strengthen inmate visitation | Support Testimony |
| H.4652 | To release prisoners where possible to lessen spread of COVID-19 | An Act regarding decarceration and COVID-19 | Support Testimony |
Education (Finance), Mary Frantz
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H586/S238 | Revise funding formula for education | An Act providing rightful opportunities and meaningful investment for successful and equitable education | Support Testimony |
Education (Higher), Susan Loffredo
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H1214/S741 | Expand funding for public higher education | An Act committing to higher education the resources to insure a strong and healthy public education system | Support Testimony |
| H1209/S764 | How institutions of higher education deal with sexual harassment and violence | An Act relative to sexual violence on higher education campuses | Support Testimony |
Education (Policy), Karen Mazza
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| S240 No longer active this session | Create pre-kindergarten grant program | An Act relative to universal pre-kindergarten access | Support Testimony |
Elections and Voting, Linda Freedman
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H685/S396Â Â Â Â Â Â | Election Day Registration | An Act relative to Election Day Registration | Support Testimony Action Alert 6/13/19 |
| H636Â | An Act relative to Election Day Registration (satellites) | ||
| S397Â No longer active this session | Expand early voting | An Act relative to early voting privacy and expansion | Support Testimony |
| H681 No longer active this session | An Act to extend early voting for all elections | ||
| H684/S387 No longer active this session | An Act relative to early voting in the 2020 presidential primary | ||
| H719 | Ranked choice voting in state and federal elections | An Act relative to ranked choice voting | Support Testimony |
| S414 | An Act to use ranked choice voting in elections | ||
| H635/S420 No longer active this session | Provide a local option to use ranked choice voting in city or town elections | An Act providing a local option for ranked choice voting in municipal elections | Support Testimony |
| H687/S388/H721 No longer active this session | Strengthen law requiring audits of random precincts after elections | An Act relating to post-election audits | Support Testimony |
| H639/S408 | Allow campaign funds to be used for child care | An Act supporting parents running for public office | Support Testimony |
| H78 | Allow no-excuse absentee voting | Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to provide for no-excuse absentee voting | Support Testimony |
| H658 No longer active this session | Require photo ID to vote | An Act ensuring the election integrity through voter identification | Oppose Testimony |
| H705 No longer active this session | An Act relative to valid identification at voting polls | ||
| H677 No longer active this session | Public campaign financing | An Act relative to the elimination of public campaign financing | Oppose Testimony |
| H704 No longer active this session | Change processes for electronic transmission of completed absentee ballots by overseas voters | An Act relative to voting overseas | Oppose Testimony |
| H709 No longer active this session | An Act relative to UOCAVA voting | ||
| H4778 | Election reforms to deal with pandemic | An Act relative to voting options in response to COVID-19 | Support Testimony |
Environment—Climate Change and Energy, Launa Zimmaro
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H2836/S1958 | Goals for renewable energy use | An Act transitioning Massachusetts to 100% renewable energy | Support Testimony |
| H3983 | Implement 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act | An Act to create a 2050 roadmap to a clean and thriving Commonwealth | Support Testimony Letter to Conference Committee Action Alert 7/7/20 Action Alert 11/12/19 |
| H2810 | Carbon pricing | An Act to promote green infrastructure and reduce carbon emissions | |
| S1924 | An Act to combat climate change | ||
| H2802/S2005 No longer active this session | Omnibus energy bill | An Act to secure a clean energy future | Support |
| H3008/S2106 No longer active this session | Regional Transportation and Climate Initiative agreement | An Act to advance modern and sustainable solutions for transportation | Support Testimony |
| H2865/S1935 No longer active this session | Define highly energy-efficient buildings | An Act to establish a net zero stretch energy code | Support Testimony |
| H4264/S464 | Promote environmental justice, reduce disparities in exposure to toxins | An Act relative to environmental justice and toxics reductions in the Commonwealth | Support Testimony Action Alert 7/7/20 |
| H2849/S1940 | Transition natural gas industry to renewable energy | An Act for utility transition to using renewable energy | Support Testimony Action Alert 11/12/19 |
| H853 | Remove biomass from allowed renewable heating options | An Act to assure the attainment of greenhouse gas emissions goals in the alternative portfolio standard | Support |
| H3846/H.3997 | Provide a mechanism for funding mitigation, resilience, and adaptation measures a the municipal level | An Act relative to GreenWorks | Support Testimony (H.3846) Testimony (H.3997) |
| H.2837 | To expand deposits to non-carbonated beverages | An Act to increase recycling in the Commonwealth | Support Testimony |
| H.4820 | Election reforms to deal with pandemic | An Act relative to voting options in response to COVID-19 | Support Letter 7/2/20 Action Alert 6/9/20 Action Alert 5/22/20 |
Environment—Natural Resources, Loring Schwarz, Carolyn Lee
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H2522/S1767 | Tax credits for donating land for conservation | An Act relative to the conservation land tax credit | Support Testimony |
| H2463/S1618 No longer active this session | Increase funding for Community Preservation Act | An Act to sustain community preservation revenue | Support Testimony |
| H3500/S1230 | Ban toxic flame retardants | An Act to protect children, families, and firefighters from harmful flame retardants | Support Testimony |
| H3661 | Ban certain chemicals in firefighter equipment | An Act relative to the reduction of certain toxic chemicals in firefighter personal protective equipment | Support Testimony |
| H842/S2014 No longer active this session | Promote using natural resources to combat carbon pollution | An Act to sustain natural and working lands carbon in communities | Support Testimony (H.842) Testimony (S.2014) |
Good Governance, Carolyn Lee
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H3422/S861 | Require a warrant before obtaining information from phone or internet company | An Act to protect electronic privacy | Support Testimony Action Alert 10/18/19 |
| H1538/S1385 | Moratorium on use of certain technology until regulations are enacted | An Act establishing a moratorium on face recognition and other remote biometric surveillance systems | Support Testimony Action Alert 10/18/19 |
| H.3208/S.2163 | Constitutional convention to overturn Citizens United | Resolutions for a United States Constitutional Amendment and a limited amendment proposing convention | Oppose Testimony |
Gun Control, Jennifer Muroff, Sue McCalley
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H2045/S1388 | Require reporting and analysis of data on guns used in crimes | An Act relative to crime gun data reporting and analysis | Support Testimony |
Health Care, Janice Goodell
LWVMA Task Force on Health Equity Testimony
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H1194/S683 | Establish single-payer health care in state | An Act establishing Medicare for all in Massachusetts | Support Testimony |
| H1948/S1332 | License midwives | An Act relative to out-of-hospital birth access and safety | Support Testimony |
| S834 | Permit civil lawsuits by victims of female genital mutilation | An Act relative to female genital mutilation | Support Testimony |
| H1853/S1235 | Evaluate and regulate medical step therapy protocol | An Act relative to fail first and patient safety | Support Testimony |
| H1154 | Permit pharmacists to discuss drug prices with customers, add pharmacy benefit managers to state laws | An Act to reduce drug costs through transparency | Support Testimony |
Immigration, Jennifer Muroff
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H3573/S1401 | “Safe Communities Act” on immigration enforcement | An Act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents | Support Testimony Action Alert 1/17/20 Action Alert 11/21/19 |
| H3012/S2061 | Allow drivers’ licenses regardless of immigration status | An Act relative to work and family mobility | Support Testimony |
| H1368 No longer active this session | Require costs of state and local immigration law enforcement be covered by federal funds | An Act relative to enforcing federal law | Support Testimony |
| H1239/S740 No longer active this session | In-state tuition for some non-citizen students | An Act relative to equal opportunity for high school graduates in the Commonwealth | Support Testimony |
| H1236/S739 No longer active this session | An Act to ensure tuition  equity for Massachusetts residents | ||
| H4726/S2659 | Stimulus checks to all who paid Mass. taxes | An Act to provide equal stimulus checks to immigrant taxpayers | Support Testimony |
Meeting Basic Human Needs, Clare Gordon
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action  |
| H1265 | Remove requirements for families to spend one night in places not fit for sleeping | An Act to protect families experiencing homelessness from having to sleep in unsafe places | Support Testimony |
| H1173/S678 | Common application for safety-net services | An Act improving public health through a common application for core food, health, and safety-net programs | Support Testimony |
| H150/S76 | Homelessness | An Act relative to the safety, dignity, and civil rights of persons experiencing homelessness | Support Testimony |
| H2434 | Earned income tax credit | An Act improving the earned income credit for working families | Support Testimony |
| S1646 | An Act improving the earned income credit for healthier families | ||
| H4622 | Emergency aid for those in deep poverty | An Act to provide short-term relief for families in deep poverty | Support Testimony |
Racial Justice, Tracy Brown, Kathy Leonardson, Jennifer Muroff
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action  |
| H4860/S2963 | Addresses police brutality | An Act to reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just Commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of color | Support |
| H1440 | Create commission on structural racism | An Act establishing a special commission on structural racism | Support |
| H2146 | Create commission on police standards and licensing | Resolve providing for a “Special Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training” to study and make recommendations concerning the implementation of a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) system | Support Action Alert 6/15/20 |
| H2292 | Review civil service exams for police | An Act to reform civil service exams | Support |
Transportation, Tanya Roy, Lois Levin
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H3118/S2042 | Bicycle and pedestrian safety | An Act to reduce traffic fatalities | Support Testimony |
| S2120 | Require hands-free devices when driving | An Act to prevent driver distraction and motor vehicle fatalities | Support Testimony |
| H2873 No longer active this session | Rebates for zero-emission vehicles | An Act promoting zero-emission vehicles | Support Testimony |
| H3075/S2035 | Variable-toll pilot program for tunnels | An Act relative to congestion relief in East Boston | Support Testimony |
| H2653/S1694 | Allow municipalities and regions to raise taxes for transportation projects | An Act relative to regional transportation ballot initiatives | Support Testimony |
| H2869/S2116 No longer active this session | Prohibit registration of new non-zero-emission vehicles after 2038 | An Act relative to a clean transportation future | Support Testimony (House) Testimony (Senate) |
| H3010/S2114 No longer active this session | Pilot program for revenue based on vehicle miles | An Act to explore alternative funding sources to ensure safe and reliable transportation | Support Testimony |
Water Resources, Carolyn Lee
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H751/S490 | Create statewide sewage discharge notification system | An Act promoting awareness of sewage pollution in public waters | Support Testimony |
| H762/S535 No longer active this session | Water conservation during droughts | An Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management | Support Testimony |
| H1781 | Permit “water-banking” fee on large-scale water users | An Act providing for the establishment of sustainable water resource funds | Support Testimony |
| S1645 No longer active this session | An Act mitigating water resource impacts | Support Testimony |
Women’s Issues, Tracy Brown
| Bill # | Topic | Bill Title | LWVMA Action |
| H3320/S1209Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | Changes to laws affecting abortions in state, called the “ROE Act” | An Act to remove obstacles and expand abortion access | Support |
| H410/S263 | Sexual health education | An Act relative to healthy youth | Support Testimony |
| H1949/S1334 | Commission to study racial disparities in maternal health | An Act to reduce racial disparities in maternal health | Support Testimony |
| H3572/S1898 No longer active this session | Independent commission on workplace harassment and sexual assault at State House | An Act promoting equality and respect in the legislature | Support Testimony |
| H1959/S1274 | Make menstrual products available without cost | An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools | Support Testimony |