The Beacon Hill Report
By Stephen A. Boksanski and Warren Lent, GIA Legislative Agents
BCB Government Relations is the legislative and executive agency that provides the MAA, as part of the GIA, with consulting and lobbying services in Massachusetts. Below is a brief update on key priorities.
Legislative Overview
The Legislature is now in the second year of its two-year cycle and formal business concludes on July 31, 2026. Spring is known as“ budget season” around the statehouse as the House will take up a spending plan for the next fiscal year( FY27) mid-April and the Senate will follow in May. The budget remains the biggest task for the Legislature each year and this it becomes an opportunity for pet policies to be added on as outside sections.
The Legislature is also busy reviewing a slew of initiative petitions( 11) that have been approved by the Attorney General and submitted the required number of signatures to move forward. From legislative stipends and making records held by the Legislature public, to rent control and reducing the income tax from 5 % to 4 %, all will have a public hearing and the Legislature can act on some or all of these. If the Legislature enacts any of the proposals by May 4, then it is up to the proponents if the campaign moves forward or not.
- Eastham) that would allow those to get out from under the statewide pre-emption of pesticides regulation. While these proposals enjoy local support, the Legislature is less inclined to undo a law that they put on the books so many years ago.
There is also a proposal to allow any / all cities and towns to circumvent the statewide pre-emption and regulate pesticides on their own( H. 954). While this moved favorably from its original committee of jurisdiction, it will have a more difficult time getting out of House Ways and Means.
On the fertilizer front, we are working to prevent the advancement of a couple of home-rule petitions that would allow Nantucket( H. 4437) and Orleans( H. 994) to similarly get out from under the auspices of Chapter 262 of the Acts of 2012. This law, passed with our lobbying efforts, established statewide pre-emption when regulating fertilizers. It should be noted the Cape and Islands were given special permission to develop their own regulations, which they did.
Taking Action
The Legislature will only act when they believe the issues are essential to the common good and the more they hear from their constituents, the better informed they become. Please take a moment to connect with your state Representative and Senator to introduce yourself as a constituent and let them know what is important to you and your business. The MAA management team can help answer any questions and get your prepared, so start today with an introductory call or email.
Legislative Priorities
We are working proactively to push forward a couple of key proposals.
H. 4421 / S. 65 would direct the DAR to develop postconstruction soil guidelines so homeowners would start off with healthy soils and more easily achieve their turf and horticultural desires. These bills received favorable reports from the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries and are pending before the respective Committees on Ways and Means
H. 2100 / S. 1370 would prohibit the“ hold harmless” clauses in contracts for snow and ice management and ensure liability would be shared by the property owners. These bills have also been reported favorably and are pending before the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means.
Numerous threats remain viable, including a small batch of home-rule petitions( H. 995- Orleans, H. 4700- Truro, H. 5076
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