General Legislation

An Act Relative to Designating Basketball as the State Sport (sd 40)

This bill designates basketball as the official sport of the commonwealth.  This bill was filed by Laura Mullen’s third grade class from the Mulready Elementary school in Hudson.  Filing this bill has provided these students a valuable opportunity to participate in the legislative process.  The class chose basketball because it is the longest running championship sport in the state, Springfield, MA is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame and basketball was invented there in 1890!!

An Act Re: the Inspection Fees for Elevators, Handicap Lifts & Dumbwaiters (sd 668)

This bill would reduce the annual fee of $400 dollars for building owners for inspections and safety tests to $100 for buildings where services are provided by non-profit agencies.

An Act Relative to the Recycling of Ink Cartridges (sd 330)

This bill requires that no agreement or contract can be made that prohibits the reusing, remanufacturing or refilling of a toner or ink cartridge.  This bill does allow new or specified toner or inkjet cartridges to be used when it is necessary for the performance or maintenance of the equipment.

An Act Relative to the Distribution of Lottery Tickets by Minors (sd 664)

This bill expands the areas in which minors are prohibited from obtaining Keno lottery tickets or other gambling instruments.  The new areas are restaurants, barrooms, gambling casinos, and horse and dog tracks.

An Act Relative to Toll Relief on the Massachusetts Turnpike (sd 667)

This bill seeks to have the Massachusetts Turnpike operated and maintained free of tolls on or before January 1, 2007.  In addition, the Executive Office of Transportation shall develop a plan to dispose of Turnpike assets in areas such as, economic development, preservation, healthcare and housing which would benefit the commonwealth.

An Act Creating the Military Family Relief Fund (sd 853)

This bill establishes the Military Family Relief Fund which will provide financial assistance to soldiers and their families in times of emergency due to a military deployment or obligation.  The Military Family Relief Fund would work in conjunction with the Friends of Massachusetts National Guard and Reserve Families.

An Act Creating a Pump Installer Study Commission (sd 665)

This bill creates a legislative task force that will determine the need and feasibility to license pump installers in order to protect the health and safety of the public and the water supply in Massachusetts.