Proposed bill would push solar power

85.5% of the time.

He is followed by Reps. Peter Durant, R-spencer, 86.6%; Nick Boldyga, Rsouthwick, 87.6%; Alyson Sullivan, R-abington, 87.6%; and Marc Lombardo, R-billerica, 87.7%.

REPRESENTATIVES’ SUPPORT OF THEIR PARTY’S LEADERSHIP IN 2021

The percentage next to the representative’s name represents the percentage of times the representative supported his or her party’s leadership in 2021. The number in parentheses represents the number of times the representative opposed his or her party’s leadership.

Some representatives voted on all 90 roll call votes. Others missed one or more roll calls. The percentage for each representative is calculated based on the number of roll calls on which he or she voted and does not count the roll calls for which he or she was absent:

Rep. James Arciero 100% (0); Rep. Kimberly Ferguson 96.6% (3); Rep. Colleen Garry 87.6% (11); Rep. Thomas Golden 100% (0); Rep. Kenneth Gordon 100% (0); Rep. Sheila Harrington 96.6% (3); Rep. Natalie Higgins 98.8% (1); Rep. Vanna Howard 100% (0); Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne 100% (0); Rep. Michael Kushmerek 100% (0); Rep. Marc Lombardo 87.7% (11); Rep. Rady Mom 100% (0); Rep. Tram Nguyen 100% (0); Rep. David Robertson 94.4% (5); Rep. Dan Sena 96.6% (3); Rep. Jonathan Zlotnik 98.8%(1).

Also up on Beacon Hill

REQUIRE ALL NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS TO BE “SOLAR READY” – The Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy held a virtual hearing on legislation that would require all new buildings to be constructed to be able to accommodate rooftop solar panels and requires the solar panels to be installed on new buildings at the time of construction, including single-family homes, apartment buildings and commercial buildings. Buildings may be exempted from solar roof requirements if the roof is too shaded, if a solar hot water system or other renewable energy technology is installed or if the building has a green roof.

“Our legislation represents an important step in the transition away from dirty fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy,” said Rep. Mike Connolly, Dcambridge. “Combating climate change will require robust solutions and the mobilization of all of our resources … in taking this necessary step forward for the planet.”

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS – The Judiciary Committee held a virtual hearing on a bill that would eliminate the current 43-year statute of limitations for criminal claims by a victim of child indecent assault and battery or rape. Current law requires victims to report the crime within 27 years of turning 16.

Sponsor Rep. Ken Gordon, D-bedford, said the measure would ensure that victims have a longer time to seek justice for the crimes committed against them. “Oftentimes, victims of child sexual assault and battery or rape do not realize that the assault took place or choose not to report their assaults until later in life,” said Gordon.

DOMESTIC ABUSE IN FRONT OF A CHILD – Also heard by the Judiciary Committee was a measure that would create a new crime of assault and battery if it takes place in a domestic violence setting in the presence of a child under the age of 16. The measure imposes up to a fiveyear prison sentence and/ or $5,000 fine on violators. Current law for assault and battery is up to a 2.5-year prison sentence and/or $1,000 fine.

“Children who grow up in an environment where they are continuously exposed to incidents of adult domestic violence are more likely to display heightened levels of depression, anxiety and aggression,” said House Republican Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones, R-north Reading. “This age group represents some of the most vulnerable members of our society and we need to do everything we can to protect them.”

PROHIBIT UNRELATED LEVEL 3 SEX OFFENDERS FROM LIVING TOGETHER – Another measure before the Judiciary Committee that was also filed by Rep. Jones would prohibit Level 3 sex offenders, unless they are legally related, from “renting, residing or otherwise occupying a single-family dwelling or a unit in a multi-family dwelling with another level 3 sex offender.”

“I first filed this bill in 2015, after being contacted by the North Reading Police Department and several constituents who were concerned about two level 3 offenders who were living together in town,” said Rep. Jones. Because level 3 offenders are considered most likely to reoffend, my primary concern in filing this legislation was to help protect the victims of these heinous crimes, and to prevent others from being victimized.”

MANDATORY DIAPER CHANGING STATIONS – The Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a virtual hearing on legislation that would require public buildings and places of public accommodation to provide a private or semiprivate diaper changing station accessible to all caretakers of children, regardless of sex, gender or disability. The requirement would apply only to new construction of public buildings or places of public accommodation and those undergoing significant renovation. Signage indicating the location of the diaper changing station must be posted at or near the entrance of a facility.

“All parents and caregivers in our commonwealth should be able to change their children’s diapers in a safe, sanitary and accessible setting, regardless of gender or ability,” said Senate sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch, D-needham. “This is a short and simple bill that will solve a big problem for parents and make a real difference to Bay Staters and visitors alike.”

“This crucial legislation will expand caregivers’ access to diaper changing stations across the commonwealth,” noted House sponsor Rep. Steve Owens, D-watertown. “As a father who has experienced difficulty in finding changing stations for my own children, I’m proud to sponsor this bill.”

DIAPER BANK – Also heard by the Committee on

Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities was a measure that would create a pilot trial program for organizations such as food pantries to create a diaper bank or distribution center to distribute diapers to families in need.

“Families, now more than ever, are in need of diapers,” said sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely, D-salem. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated issues across our commonwealth, placing additional strains on families already struggling to afford basic necessities, including diapers … This public health issue is necessary to keep children healthy and help keep parents employed. Our babies and families deserve better and this legislation takes a direct approach to addressing this far-reaching issue.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “Eonsmoke coordinated a campaign that intentionally targeted young people and sold dangerous and addictive vaping products directly to minors through their website. We were the first to take action against this company and its owners and today we are holding them accountable and permanently stopping them from conducting these illegal practices in our state.”

—Attorney General Maura Healey announcing a settlement that secures $51 million from Eonsmoke and orders them to no longer sell, distribute, market or advertise any tobacco product to consumers in Massachusetts.

“The process of how judges and parole board members are selected is failing to meet goals of inclusion of diversity and inclusion. Western Mass has a high Latino population, and I do not see any effort to make our courts reflect the demographic reality. We must do better and immediately prioritize inclusion and diversity in every new position and every courthouse.”

—Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-springfield, advocating that the officers of the court and parole board should reflect the population impacted by their decisions.

“The RMV is appreciative of the support received from our MASSDOT Highway Division partners and other commonwealth agencies that loaned the RMV vehicles from their own fleets at the height of the pandemic. These vehicles allowed us to continue road testing and licensing in a safe and healthy manner during the State of Emergency and emerging from the pandemic. The return to having road test applicants use their private passenger vehicles offers the RMV the ability to return testing services to all corners of Massachusetts.”

— Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie reminding license and permit applicants that they must bring a car to their road test.

“The recent MBTA announcement of plans to reduce service on more than 30 bus routes is a public health issue and a mobility issue. These schedule changes will reduce service levels from 93% to 88% of pre-pandemic service. This is a step in the wrong direction when the MBTA should be increasing frequency, growing demand, and building back better.”

— Rick Dimino, President and CEO of A Better City.

HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers.

They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.

During the week of Dec. 6-10, the House met for a total of nine minutes while the Senate met for a total of 26 minutes.

Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.co m.