Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of June 30 to July 4.

Approve $60.9 billion fiscal year 2026 budget (H 4240)

The House, 139-6, and the Senate, 38-2, approved and Gov. Maura Healey signed into law, after vetoing $130 million in planned spending, a conference committee version of a $60.9 billion fiscal year 2026 state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2025. The House and Senate had approved different versions of the budget and a conference committee hammered out this compromise version.

“I’m proud to sign a budget that is fiscally responsible and protects what makes Massachusetts special,” Healey said. “In Massachusetts, we are continuing to lead and do what we know works — focusing on lowering costs, protecting essential care and services, and moving our economy forward by investing in housing, transportation and our schools. We are also signing this budget in a moment of great dysfunction in Washington. The president is poised to sign a bill that’s going to kick hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents off their health care, increase energy and groceries prices, and cost people their jobs.”

The budget also includes a new law, effective Aug. 1, that will require landlords, instead of renters, to cover the cost of broker fees unless a renter is the one to hire the broker.

“Between first and last month’s rent, a security deposit and a broker’s fee, moving to a new apartment was breaking the bank for far too many Massachusetts residents,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.

“In Massachusetts, we know that the best investment we can make is in our people, and this budget reflects the Senate’s continuing commitment to do so while maintaining our equal commitment to responsible money management,” said Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland. “This statewide approach to investment delivers resources to every part of the state and protects our most vulnerable residents from the cruelest actions of the federal government, while our continued focus on education and mental health ensures that people have the keys to unlock the doors of opportunity.”

“This fiscal year 2026 budget makes key investments that better support Massachusetts students and families, that increase access to affordable health care and that provide for a safer and more reliable public transportation system — all without raising taxes,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-Quincy. “In a moment of incredible uncertainty at the federal level, this budget is proof that government can be both fiscally responsible and an agent of good — the kind of government that our residents deserve.”

“I am filled with optimism as I reflect on the outcome of the fiscal year 2026 budget conference committee,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor, R-Weymouth, ranking Republican member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Through strong bipartisan collaboration, we in the House and Senate reached a consensus that not only addresses current needs but also sets a positive precedent for future partnerships. This final agreement reflects our shared commitment to the people of the commonwealth and our ability to work together for the greater good. The success of the fiscal year 2026 budget underscores the incredible potential we unlock when we come together across party lines. We’ve made meaningful investments in critical areas, addressing urgent funding gaps and expanding access to higher education.”

“While Massachusetts tax dollars continue to be used on housing and benefits for non-residents, this budget uses more tax dollars to create a legal fund to stop the deportation of illegal immigrants, including those who have committed violent crimes,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton, one of only two senators who voted against the budget. “Meanwhile, cities and towns across the state are struggling to balance their budgets and provide services to seniors and children being educated in our public schools, including many of the towns I represent in Worcester and Hampden County. This dichotomy is Gov. Healey’s responsibility, and in good conscience, I can’t support it.”

“The fiscal year 2026 budget continues a completely unsustainable budget increase year over year,” said Rep. Ken Sweezey, R-Hanson, one of only six representatives who voted against the package. “A 6% increase from last year, nearly 50% increase from 2019, and nearly 140% increase from 2010. The commonwealth should only be paying for needs instead of wants with the extreme federal uncertainty and the impending cuts.”

“Beacon Hill leaders are trying to have it both ways,” said Paul Craney, executive director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “They’re talking about caution and restraint while green-lighting billions in new spending, using one-time gimmicks to paper over structural imbalances, and shortchanging local aid to the cities and towns they claim to represent. Local governments are in crisis. Budgets are breaking, override votes are stacking up and yet Beacon Hill refuses to share the wealth. They’re prioritizing their own pet projects while towns are forced to cut core services and raise taxes on residents.”

A “Yes” vote is for the $60.9 billion budget.

Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes

Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes

Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes

Sen. Joanne Comerford — Yes

Sen. Paul Mark — Yes

$7.5 billion interim fiscal year 2026 budget (H 4237)

The House, 144-1, and the Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved and sent to Gov. Healey a $7.5 billion interim one-month fiscal year 2026 state budget, sometimes called a one-twelfth budget, to pay the state’s bills and fund accounts while Gov. Healey took her constitutionally allotted time of 10 days to review and then to veto or amend any provisions in the full FY26 billion budget. The interim budget has since been superseded by the full-year budget.

Rep. Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica, the only representative to vote against the $7.5 billion interim budget, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to explain why he voted against it.

A “Yes” vote is for the interim $7.5 billion budget.

Rep. Natalie Blais — Yes

Rep. Aaron Saunders — Yes

Rep. Susannah Whipps — Yes

Also up on Beacon Hill Repeated public nuisance complaints (H 2246)

A bill heard by the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government would empower cities and towns to hold property owners financially accountable when their properties are the source of 10 or more repeated public nuisance complaints within a one-year period. The measure holds the owner responsible for the costs associated with any subsequent police responses, as well as any other costs.

“This legislation is about restoring fairness for taxpayers and ensuring safer neighborhoods,” said sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers, D-Quincy. “When a property becomes a repeated source of disturbance, the financial burden shouldn’t fall on the community; it should fall on the property owner responsible. By holding them accountable, we give municipalities the tools they need to protect quality of life for all residents.”

Ban free phone calls for some prisoners (S 1689)

The Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee held a hearing on legislation that would ban free phone calls for incarcerated violent criminals who have been found guilty of rape of a child, first-degree murder, second-degree murder, attempted murder, sexual assault, assault and battery (second offense), assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, arson, stalking and armed robbery.

“Unlimited phone calls for violent criminals in prison means that murderers can freely call their loved ones while the loved ones of their victims will never talk to their murdered child or spouse again,” said sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton. “These phone calls allow criminals to communicate with their network of associates and continue criminal activity even while incarcerated. It is primarily for these reasons that I authored this legislation to eliminate no-cost calls for violent criminals.”

Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

The Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery held a hearing on several bills, including:

Availability of Narcan in schools (S 1422): Would require all school districts to create a Narcan overdose prevention program. Narcan, also known by its generic name naloxone, is an emergency treatment used for the complete or partial reversal of an opioid overdose. The measure would require every school nurse to be trained in Narcan assistance and to have Narcan in the nurse’s office. Another provision requires all public schools to offer training to junior high school and high school students on how to administer naloxone hydrochloride, in nasal spray form.

“I’m in the camp that Narcan should be available everywhere — absolutely everywhere, including in our schools,” said sponsor Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield. “It absolutely terrifies me that a growing number of high school students are using drugs, many of which could be unknowingly contaminated with a deadly contaminant like fentanyl. We can and must increase access to these life-saving medications in our communities, because in those terrifying minutes when an overdose occurs, every second is so critical to prevent death.”

Use of psychedelics in mental health care (S 1400): Would establish a pilot program under the Department of Public Health to explore the use of psychedelics in mental health care. The proposal authorizes a maximum of three specialized mental health clinics, excluding any tied to the cannabis industry, psychedelic development or pharmaceutical companies, to use psychedelics under strict supervision. Participating clinics are tasked with reporting patient outcomes to contribute to the development of refined treatment protocols and regulatory frameworks for psychedelic use in mental health care.

“Last session, I served as co-chair of the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions, where we heard heartfelt and compelling testimony from veterans, first responders and others with post-traumatic stress disorder, who have used psychedelic treatment to address their trauma,” said sponsor Sen. Cindy Friedman, D-Arlington. “These advocates were in support of 2024’s Question 4, a broad measure that would have allowed people to possess, use and even grow their own psychedelics in the commonwealth, which was soundly rejected by voters. Given the developing nature of psychedelic treatment, I believe my legislation establishing a supervised pilot program would provide us with the opportunity to take a measured approach in evaluating the effectiveness of this treatment, while also allowing residents with significant mental health challenges to access an alternative form of treatment if they choose.”

Student ID cards and suicide (H 2221/S 1384): Would require that newly printed student ID cards for public school students in grades six through 12 and students in public colleges include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline phone numbers and text message numbers. The line directs all callers to trained call takers who are available to provide free, confidential emotional support for those in crisis.

The measure allows schools that have a supply of unissued student identification cards that do not comply with this new requirement to issue the old student ID cards to students until the remaining supply is depleted.

In 2024, the House and Senate approved different versions of the bill, but the legislative session ended before the two sides could agree on a compromise version.

“We must ensure that every student has the information and access they need to receive critical support and resources,” said House sponsor Rep. Jack Lewis, D-Framingham. “Reaching out for help can be difficult and finding the right information isn’t always easy. That’s why this bill is so important. Nineteen other states have already passed similar legislation, and I’m hopeful that Massachusetts will be next in ensuring every student has access to the life-saving support of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline right on their student ID.”

“Suicide is a leading cause of death for people of all ages in the United States, and young people are particularly at risk,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton. “According to a study published by the National Center for Health Statistics at the end of 2022, suicide was the second-leading cause of death for Americans aged 15-24, representing a 56% increase from the previous decade. Massachusetts’ most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that, in 2021, only 11.3% of students asked for help from a doctor, counselor or hotline before their suicide attempt. That’s well-below the (already low) 24.3% of students who asked for help in 2019.”