Sen. Anne M. Gobi

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new licensing system for quarries that produce concrete aggregate used in foundations, requiring applicants to submit geological reports and test results to prove the absence of harmful minerals like pyrite and pyrrhotite. It creates a state agency to oversee this process, publish a public database of licensed quarries, and manage a fund to help homeowners with deteriorated foundations caused by these minerals. The legislation also imposes strict liability on unlicensed quarry operators and contractors who use non-compliant concrete, while allowing local governments to set even stricter safety standards.

Senate, October 24, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to applied behavioral analysis therapy (Senate, No. 617),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft (Senate, No. 2970).

Senate, December 30, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to crumbling concrete foundations (Senate, No. 2559),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 3015).

Maddy summaryThis bill allows residents of Spencer and East Brookfield to vote annually for members of their regional school committee during regular town elections. It overrides previous state rules that required these committee members to be appointed rather than elected, ensuring the selection process happens on the same ballot as other municipal votes. The legislation also confirms that actions taken during the 2022 election are valid, even if some procedural steps were not fully completed at the time.

Senate, December 19, 2024 - Substituted as a new draft (Senator Durant) for the Senate Bill authorizing the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to convey certain land in the town of Brookfield (Senate, No. 2822).

Senate, June 13, 2024 -- The committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2010) of Anne M. Gobi for legislation to authorize the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to convey certain land in the town of Brookfield, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2822).

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Massachusetts to tax agricultural and horticultural land based on its farming value rather than its potential market value. The change would directly affect landowners who actively use their property for farming or gardening, potentially lowering their property taxes. To qualify for this reduced valuation, a land parcel must have been used for these purposes for at least two years and meet specific size requirements depending on the municipality's population. The amendment requires approval by the state legislature and a vote from the public to become part of the state constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new article to the Massachusetts Constitution to protect farmland and garden land from high property taxes. It would allow the state legislature to tax these properties based on their current farming value rather than their potential market value if they were sold for development. To qualify for this lower tax rate, a specific parcel must have been actively used for agriculture or horticulture for the two years before the tax year. This change directly affects landowners in rural and semi-rural areas who wish to keep their land in production. The measure requires approval by both houses of the state legislature and a vote by the public to become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires various health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover specific therapies for individuals with Down syndrome. It mandates that state employee insurance, Medicaid managed care, private health policies, hospital service plans, and health maintenance contracts all include coverage for speech, occupational, and physical therapy alongside applied behavior analysis services. The legislation defines Down syndrome as a chromosomal condition involving an extra copy of chromosome 21 and sets the effective date for these coverage requirements as January 1, 2024.

By Representative Ramos of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2643) of Orlando Ramos and others for legislation to include certain employees of the Department of Developmental Services and Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Group 2 of the contributory retirement system for public employees. Public Service.