The bill permits same-day voter registration, allowing eligible individuals to register to vote by appearing in person at their polling place or an early voting site in their city or town. To register, individuals must provide proof of residence and complete an affidavit confirming their eligibility, including U.S. citizenship and age. Once registered, individuals can vote in that primary or election and remain registered for future elections in line with existing laws. If registrants cannot provide proof of residence at registration, they may vote provisionally but must present proof to the city or town clerk within specified time frames after the election.

This bill creates a Nature for All Fund administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and a 15-member board. The fund is dedicated to developing parks and outdoor spaces, especially in underserved areas, conserving land to safeguard water resources and enhance climate resilience, and achieving environmental justice objectives. The fund may also be used for conserving indigenous cultural lands and ensuring community stewardship. Funds may go to municipalities, regional partnerships, planning entities, watershed associations, land trusts, conservation groups, state agencies, tribal authorities, and other non-profit organizations. The fund will be financed by sales tax revenue from all sales classified as sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and golf courses. The bill allows for the issuance of bonds backed by the Nature for All Trust Fund to finance its initiatives without making them general obligations of the Commonwealth.

Amends zoning law by striking references to "starter home zoning district" from two sentences, thereby limiting those provisions' applicability to the remaining referenced zoning district(s).

This bill allows Massachusetts municipalities to voluntarily adopt local regulations to cap annual rent increases and establish just cause eviction requirements. The bill repeals the current statute limiting local rent control ordinances. Under the bill, municipalities that choose the local option to implement its provisions can limit annual rent increases to the lower of 5% or the change in the Consumer Price Index. Exemptions are provided for certain dwelling units, including those in owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, units under public regulation, and newly constructed dwellings with certificates of occupancy issued post-January 1, 2021, for a five-year duration.

To adopt these regulations, municipalities must adopt the just causes for eviction set in the law, incorporating actions like nonpayment of rent, refusal to comply with lawful rent increases, significant lease violations, or tenant criminal activity. Additionally, municipalities must submit annual reports to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities detailing the ordinance’s impact, conducted studies, and affected units. Violations of the ordinance are treated as unfair or deceptive practices under chapter 93A of the General Laws, allowing for remedies like restitution and civil penalties.

The bill permits same-day voter registration, allowing eligible individuals to register to vote by appearing in person at their polling place or an early voting site in their city or town. To register, individuals must provide proof of residence and complete an affidavit confirming their eligibility, including U.S. citizenship and age. Once registered, individuals can vote in that primary or election and remain registered for future elections in line with existing laws. If registrants cannot provide proof of residence at registration, they may vote provisionally but must present proof to the city or town clerk within specified time frames after the election.

This bill creates a Nature for All Fund administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and a 15-member board. The fund is dedicated to developing parks and outdoor spaces, especially in underserved areas, conserving land to safeguard water resources and enhance climate resilience, and achieving environmental justice objectives. The fund may also be used for conserving indigenous cultural lands and ensuring community stewardship. Funds may go to municipalities, regional partnerships, planning entities, watershed associations, land trusts, conservation groups, state agencies, tribal authorities, and other non-profit organizations. The fund will be financed by sales tax revenue from all sales classified as sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and golf courses. The bill allows for the issuance of bonds backed by the Nature for All Trust Fund to finance its initiatives without making them general obligations of the Commonwealth.

This bill allows Massachusetts municipalities to voluntarily adopt local regulations to cap annual rent increases and establish just cause eviction requirements. The bill repeals the current statute limiting local rent control ordinances. Under the bill, municipalities that choose the local option to implement its provisions can limit annual rent increases to the lower of 5% or the change in the Consumer Price Index. Exemptions are provided for certain dwelling units, including those in owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, units under public regulation, and newly constructed dwellings with certificates of occupancy issued post-January 1, 2021, for a five-year duration.

To adopt these regulations, municipalities must adopt the just causes for eviction set in the law, incorporating actions like nonpayment of rent, refusal to comply with lawful rent increases, significant lease violations, or tenant criminal activity. Additionally, municipalities must submit annual reports to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities detailing the ordinance’s impact, conducted studies, and affected units. Violations of the ordinance are treated as unfair or deceptive practices under chapter 93A of the General Laws, allowing for remedies like restitution and civil penalties.

Designates the Committee for Public Counsel Services, or its designee, as the employer for collective bargaining purposes for its employees.

Amends collective bargaining provisions to add the Committee for Public Counsel Services to the entities authorized to act as the employer in negotiations, alongside the State Lottery Commission.

Establishes and regulates a new fund entitled the Nature for All Fund, which is to be used exclusively for conserving and improving natural and working lands. Creates a 15-member Nature for All Board; authorizes issuance of special obligation bonds and notes payable solely from Fund revenues.