Mass. lawmakers send bills to Baker

Boston — Gov. Charlie Baker had a pile of paperwork to go through on Monday after the Legislature wrapped up its two-year session with a flurry of weekend action.

Working against a Sunday deadline for ending formal meetings, lawmakers reached agreement on several major bills that are now on the Republican governor’s desk.

Meanwhile, several other proposals fell by the wayside.

A look at some of the proposals that made it, and some that didn’t:

Passed:

New regulations for Uber, Lyft and other ride-hailing services. Key provisions include more stringent background checks for drivers, minimum insurance requirements for each vehicle, and a 20-cent per ride fee that will be paid by the companies. Five cents from the fee will go to a fund to help taxi drivers who have been hurt by competition from the app-based ride services.

Requirements for utilities to enter into long-term contracts with developers of offshore wind farms and hydroelectricity suppliers as part of a sweeping renewable energy bill. The measure also provides incentives for utilities to develop energy storage technology and sets new requirements for the repair of natural gas leaks.

Authorization for the state to borrow outside of its debt limit for repairs to deteriorating roads and bridges. The bill also envisions a small experimental program in which motorists would be taxed based on vehicle miles traveled, rather than the current gasoline tax.

A requirement that insurers cover long-term antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease. Lawmakers overrode a veto by Baker who cited uncertainty in the medical community about the effectiveness of the treatment for the tick-borne illness.

Not passed:

Restrictions on the use of non-compete employment contracts, which are designed to keep employees from leaving companies and immediately going to work for competitors. House and Senate negotiators were unable to reach agreement on the measure before Sunday’s midnight deadline.

A proposal to apply the state’s hotel and motel taxes to online lodging services such as Airbnb, as well as vacation rentals. The measure was dropped from the final version of an economic development bill passed by lawmakers, despite support for the tax from Airbnb. Senators hoped to use revenue from the tax to increase the state’s earned income tax credit for low-income families.

Greater flexibility for cities and towns in the awarding of liquor licenses.