Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from recent sessions.

$5.16 billion for housing (H 4977)

The House, 128-24, and the Senate, 37-2, approved and Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a housing bill that would authorize $5.16 billion in borrowing to spur housing production in Massachusetts.

Supporters said the package makes crucial policy changes with the goal of building new housing, accelerating the rehabilitation of existing housing, reducing barriers to development and promoting affordable housing.

They noted that key provisions include allowing accessory dwelling units by-right, investing in modernizing the state’s public housing system, boosts to programs that support first-time homebuyers and homeownership, incentives to build more housing for low-income to moderate-income residents, support for the conversion of vacant commercial space to housing, and support for sustainable and green housing initiatives.

“The Affordable Homes Act creates homes for every kind of household, at every stage of life, and unlocks the potential in our neighborhoods,” Healey said. “Today we are taking an unprecedented step forward in building a stronger Massachusetts where everyone can afford to live.”

“The Affordable Homes Act is the first, major critical step needed in addressing our housing crisis,” said Rep. James Arciero, D-Littleton, House chair of the Committee on Housing. “It reduces barriers for individuals seeking affordable home options, increases housing production and inventory, and creates more tools in the toolbox to help cities and towns offer more affordable housing options. This encompassing bill showcases critical input from our state and local officials, community stakeholders, advocates and residents.”

“If Massachusetts leaders declare ‘Mission Accomplished’ on the housing crisis, they’ll be abandoning millions of Massachusetts residents to a broken housing market that is driving families into homelessness and pushing workers out of our state,” said Carolyn Chou, director of Homes for All Massachusetts. “The housing bond bill includes meaningful funding to support public housing and build new affordable housing, but legislators failed to include any tools to help renters who are facing enormous rent hikes and eviction today.”

“Passing a major, massive, complicated measure like this without even an abbreviated opportunity to read what was in the bill was not something I was willing to embrace,” said Rep. Matt Muratore, R-Plymouth. “This bill was passed on Aug. 1 around 9 a.m. after being in session since July 31 at noon. We had very little time to review.”

A “Yes” vote is for the bill.

Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes

Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes

Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes

Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes

Sen. Paul Mark — Yes

$1.5 million for water and sewer relief (H 4800)

The House, 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $1.5 million for the Massachusetts Sewer Rate Relief Fund, which was established in 1993 to help reduce the rising costs of sewer services.

The Senate did not act on the veto, so the veto stands and the $1.5 million was eliminated.

“I am vetoing this item to an amount consistent with my House [budget] recommendation,” Healey said.

A “Yes” vote is for the $1.5 million.

Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes

Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes

Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes

$800,000 for Department of Agricultural Resources (H 4800)

The House, 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $800,000 (reducing funding from $12.7 million to $11.9 million) for the Department of Agricultural Resources. The veto includes cuts of $100,000 from the Massachusetts Food Trust Program, another $100,000 from the Buy Local effort and the entire $250,000 for local food policy councils.

The Senate did not act on the veto, so the veto stands and the $800,000 was eliminated.

“I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary,” Healey said. “I am reducing two earmarks to amounts more consistent with my House [budget] recommendation and eliminating one program earmark that was intended to be a one-year program.”

A “Yes” vote is for the $800,000.

Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes

Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes

Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes

$5 million for food security (H 4800)

The House, 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $5 million (reducing funding from $10 million to $5 million) for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program, which was created to ensure that individuals and families have access to food, especially food that is produced locally, and equitable access to food. The program also seeks to ensure that farmers, fishermen and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future food supply and distribution disruption.

The Senate did not act on the veto, so the veto stands and the $5 million was eliminated.

“I am reducing this item to the amount projected to be necessary due to the availability of alternative resources,” Healey said.

A “Yes” vote is for the $5 million.

Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes

Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes

Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes

Disability pension for police officers (S 2887)

The Senate, 40-0, approved and Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that would provide police officers who have suffered a violent act injury with 100% regular compensation and pension benefits until they reach the age of mandatory retirement. Violent act injury is defined as “a serious and permanent personal bodily injury sustained as a direct and proximate result of a violent attack upon a person by means of a dangerous weapon, including a firearm, knife, automobile, explosive device or other dangerous weapon.”

Supporters said that under current law, a first responder forced to retire due to a violent act injury can only receive benefits through the local retirement board via the home rule legislative process. They said this process is onerous and has resulted in disparate benefits being granted on a case-by-case basis.

“Our first responders go above and beyond to keep our communities safe and respond to emergencies,” Healey said. “That’s why it’s critical that we support them when they experience emergencies of their own. This legislation ensures that first responders who are injured in the line of duty have access to the pay and health care, including mental health care, that they need to support their families and their road to recovery.”

A “Yes” vote is for the bill.

Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes

Sen. Paul Mark — Yes

Also up on Beacon HillParenting equality (S 2906)

Gov. Healey signed into law legislation changing how a family is defined in state law.

Supporters said the new law would ensure legal parenting equality by protecting LGBTQ families, and children born through surrogacy and assisted reproduction, in forming the legal bond of a parent-child relationship. They said the measure would dismantle archaic legal barriers to basic parenting responsibilities for modern families, opening the door to legally attend and make decisions during medical appointments, manage a child’s finances, participate in educational decisions and provide authorizations for a child’s travel.

“Our laws need to reflect the realities of modern families and the loving environments where children grow and flourish,” Healey said. “This moment is a victory for all families in Massachusetts who deserve to be treated with dignity and to have their rights recognized and protected under the law.”

Protect firefighters (S 2902)

The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey a measure that would require a manufacturer or person that sells firefighting personal protective equipment to any person or government agency to provide, beginning Jan. 1, 2025, written notice to the buyer at the time of sale if the equipment contains toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance chemicals, known as PFAS. The seller would also have to provide the reason the chemicals were added to the equipment. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, the bill would prohibit any person from manufacturing, knowingly selling or distributing any equipment containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals.

“My office originally filed this bill in 2019 in collaboration with the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) and Clean Water Action,” said lead sponsor Rep. Jim Hawkins, D-Attleboro. “With each legislative session, we refiled, improved upon the language and aided in the unwavering dedication of PFFM as they advocated tirelessly for their members. … Despite improvements in cancer care, our firefighters are still becoming sick and dying from occupational cancers at a rate more than twice the general population. It is our duty to protect those who protect us.”

“Ask anyone how the majority of firefighter line-of-duty deaths occur — most will probably guess smoke inhalation or on-call injury,” said Sen. Mike Moore, D-Millbury. “The shocking truth is that, from 2002 to 2019, cancer accounted for 66% of firefighter deaths, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters. PFAS exposure from firefighting equipment is a crisis for firefighters and the communities they serve.”

“This is great news,” said Deirdre Cummings, MASSPIRG’s legislative director. “Firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us in an emergency and we must make sure the gear they wear will protect them.”

Veterans’ benefits (S 2817)

Gov. Healey signed into law legislation designed to benefit veterans by broadening the definition of a veteran, increasing tax credits and state benefits for which they are eligible, and modernizing the services on which they rely.

Provisions include increasing benefits for veterans with disabilities and Gold Star family members; bolstering new and existing initiatives for municipalities and businesses to support veterans; creating comprehensive services for active-duty service members and military families; expanding the scope of the Veterans Equality Review Board; and codifying medical, behavioral health and dental benefits.

The measure also requires several working groups to review post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans, mental health treatments for veterans and overall quality of life for veterans in Massachusetts.

Supporters said the legislation will boost support for hundreds of thousands of individuals across the state who have served in the U.S. military, including nearly 30,000 women veterans and thousands of LGBTQ veterans.

“This is our most comprehensive veterans legislation in over 20 years, and it’s the result of Massachusetts coming together to make veterans our priority,” Healey said. “From the start, our administration has been dedicated to revitalizing veterans’ services in Massachusetts, ensuring that every hero receives the benefits, resources and support they deserve. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country, we can and will be the state where veterans and service members continue to lead and make all our freedom and success possible.”

“Massachusetts has a long history of prioritizing the needs of our veterans and service members, and I am thrilled that the [bill] is on its way to the governor’s desk to continue this tradition,” said Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, Senate chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “Less than one half of 1% of our nation bravely raise their right hand and pledge to defend our nation no matter the costs. We must always remember, recognize and honor these sacrifices however we can, and passage of this legislation is an important step toward fulfilling that mission.”

“The [measure] enhances the quality of life for veterans in the commonwealth by making critical investments in benefits programs, expanding access to services, and creating policies to ensure our veterans and their families are well-informed about the benefits and services available to them,” said Rep. Gerry Cassidy, D-Brockton, House chair of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Domestic assault and jobs (S 2934)

Senate approved and sent to the House a bill that would extend employment protection for workers employed through a temporary hiring agency. These workers, if they are victims of domestic assault, could not have their contract terminated if they miss a reasonable amount of time for certain appointments. Covered appointments include doctor’s appointments, hospital stays and court dates. This would mirror the protections currently granted to bona fide employees of a company.

“This bill has been filed and pushed by Sen. Fattman and me after a tragic incident that occurred to a constituent of ours,” said co-sponsor Rep. Joe McKenna, R-Webster. “Amanda Dabrowski was a victim of domestic assault and had her temporary agency contract terminated after missing time because she was in the hospital. Tragically, partly due to her loss of work, her life took a few challenging turns and she was ultimately tracked and murdered by the same violent perpetrator.”

“No one who’s a victim of domestic violence should lose their job because they are unable to attend work due to the injuries they sustained from domestic abuse,” said co-sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton. “Victims of domestic violence need to be protected, and this legislation will be one step in strengthening our laws to make sure this happens. In Amanda’s honor, the Dabrowski family would like to make sure that something good comes out of this very tragic situation.”