THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll call votes in the House or Senate during the week of Aug. 11. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ roll call attendance records for the 2025 session through Aug. 15.
The House has held 72 roll calls so far in the 2025 session. Beacon Hill Roll Call tabulates the number of roll calls on which each representative voted and then calculates that number as a percentage of the total roll call votes held. That percentage is the number referred to as the roll call attendance record.
Oftentimes a representative is not able to attend only one or two sessions during which roll calls are held, but since there are sometimes multiple roll calls on each one of those days, the number of roll calls they missed can be high even though they only missed one or two sessions.
One hundred and seven (66.9 percent) out of 160 representatives did not miss any roll call votes and had a 100 precent roll call attendance record.
Fifty-three (33.1 percent) out of 160 representatives missed one or more roll call votes.
Here are the 2025 roll call attendance records of local representatives through Aug. 15. The percentage listed next to the reprentative’s name is the percentage of roll call votes on which the representative voted. The number in parentheses represents the number of roll calls that he or she missed.
Rep. Natalie Blais, 84.7 percent (11); Rep. Mindy Domb, 100 percent (0); Rep. Homar Gomez, 100 percent (0); Rep. Kelly Pease, 100 percent (0); Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, 94.4 percent (4); and Rep. Aaron Saunders, 100 percent (0).
Blais explained her missed roll calls to Beacon Hill Roll Call: “I was unable to be present in the House chamber for the sitting held on February 6, 2025, due to a family conflict … My missing of roll calls that day was due entirely to the reason stated.”
Also up on Beacon Hill
LANDLORD MUST PAY REAL ESTATE BROKER’S FEE: A new law that took effect on Aug. 1 requires landlords, instead of renters, to cover the cost of broker fees unless a renter is the one to hire the broker first. The law was part of the $60.9 billion fiscal 2026 that was signed by Gov. Maura Healey in July.
“This is about saving you money, thousands of dollars you can now spend on whatever you need or put it away for the future,” said Healey. “And this is just one way I’m lowering costs and getting after high housing prices.”
“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.
ALCOHOL DONATIONS FOR CHARITIES (H 442): The House gave initial approval to legislation that would allow local licensing authorities to issue temporary licenses to charities in order for the charities to accept donations of wine, beer and alcohol for their charitable events.
Supporters said these licenses were previously allowed under 1997 legislation but the authorization has since expired.
“Today, more than ever, nonprofits are in need of charitable donations to stay afloat,” said sponsor Rep. Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “This bill would allow for safe and regulated alcohol licensure for nonprofits in order to raise revenue at charity events by partnering with alcohol manufacturers.”
FIRST RESPONDERS MUST HAVE NARCAN AVAILABLE (S 1410): The Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery will hold a hearing on Sept. 15 on legislation that would require government entities to supply first responders with Narcan, also known by its generic name naloxone, or another opioid antagonist which is used as an emergency treatment used for the complete or partial reversal of an opioid overdose. The bill also incorporates existing Department of Public Health-regulated naloxone training into the first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training first responders already undergo.
Sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) said the bill would require the opioid antagonist to be carried either by the responder or in their emergency response vehicle, or both. “Delays in the administration of opioid antagonists can be deadly,” said Lovely. “We cannot be sure which category of first responder will be the first to arrive on the scene, and training and providing all first responders with opioid antagonists will ensure we are able to effectively treat overdoses and save lives.”
LOWER COST OPTIONS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS: Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s Citizen Information Service has compiled information about new financial aid programs available to Massachusetts students at public colleges and universities.
The new informational brochure, “Low and No Cost Options for Higher Education,” highlights several new programs available through the state’s public colleges. Detailed information is provided about the state’s free community college program, free tuition at state schools for lower income students and scholarships available for high-achieving community college students transferring to one of the UMass campuses.
“In the last few years, Massachusetts has created several new pathways to affordable learning, but students and their parents may not be aware of these options,” Galvin said. “This publication is meant to educate the public about grants and scholarships that may be available, to help alleviate the burden of student loans.”
More information and details are available at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/cis/education/low-no-cost-options.htm
$46 MILION FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING: The Healey Administration announced a package of $46 million for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to support the buildout of EV chargers across Massachusetts. Supporters said that the funding will help address gaps identified by the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council, including the need for more chargers along secondary corridors and to support medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
“We’re making it easier for everyone to get around as more Massachusetts residents choose to drive electric,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Not only are these vehicles fun to drive but they are typically less expensive to maintain than their gas- and diesel- powered counterparts. We are committed to building a cleaner environment and vibrant economy for everyone.”
“Expanding our robust network of public EV chargers will enable electrification of passenger vehicles as well as highly polluting medium- and heavy-duty vans and trucks,” said Mass Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “This funding allows MassDEP to cut air and noise pollution in communities across the state — driving real change for a healthier Massachusetts.”
Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com