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The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Senator Benjamin B. Downing Served 2007 - 2016 Democrat - Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden

Photo of Benjamin B. Downing
  Benjamin.Downing@masenate.gov

State House

24 Beacon St.
Room 413F
Boston, MA, 02133
Phone:
617-722-1625
Fax:
617-722-1523
Sponsored  |  Cosponsored
Bill Docket Bill Pinslip/Title
S.53  SD.1311 By Mr. Donnelly, a petition (accompanied by proposal for constitutional amendment, Senate, No. 53) of Kenneth J. Donnelly, Chris Walsh, Benjamin B. Downing, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to corporate rights and political spending. Election Laws.
S.107  SD.95 By Mr. Wolf, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 107) of Daniel A. Wolf, Chris Walsh, Kenneth J. Donnelly, Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote employment. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
S.122  SD.317 By Mr. Wolf, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 122) of Daniel A. Wolf, Stephen Kulik, Chris Walsh, Louis L. Kafka and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote the planning and development of sustainable communities. Community Development and Small Businesses.
S.141  SD.912 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 141) of James B. Eldridge, Benjamin B. Downing, Peter V. Kocot, Paul McMurtry and other members of the General Court for legislation to expand the sale of products by farmer breweries. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
S.155  SD.1279 By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 155) of Patricia D. Jehlen, John H. Rogers, Benjamin Swan and Benjamin B. Downing for legislation to reduce unwanted communication from creditors to protect the peace and privacy of residents. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
H.160  HD.1593 By Ms. Cariddi of North Adams, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 160) of Gailanne M. Cariddi and others for legislation to require transparency in solicitations via telephone and similar devices. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
H.222  HD.270 By Mr. Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 222) of David Paul Linsky and others relative to business practices between motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors and dealers. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
H.245  HD.1785 By Ms. Peisch of Wellesley, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 245) of Alice Hanlon Peisch and others relative to small brewers of alcoholic beverages. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
S.253  SD.1779 By Ms. Chang-Diaz, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 253) of Sonia Chang-Diaz, Daniel A. Wolf, Benjamin B. Downing, Kevin G. Honan and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to universal pre-kindergarten access. Education.
S.268  SD.1762 By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 268) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Denise Provost, Jason M. Lewis, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to universal early education and full-day kindergarten. Education.
H.297  HD.1756 By Representative Peake of Provincetown and Senator Chandler, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 297) of Sarah K. Peake, Harriette L. Chandler and others relative to coordinating the availability of transit services to employees of existing and expanding businesses by the Massachusetts Office of Business Development. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
S.322  SD.1648 By Ms. O'Connor Ives, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 322) of Kathleen O'Connor Ives, Jason M. Lewis, Benjamin Swan, Patricia D. Jehlen and other members of the General Court for legislation related to unfunded mandates on public schools. Education.
S.377  SD.1813 By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 377) of Cynthia S. Creem, Ruth B. Balser, Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Carmine L. Gentile and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish election day registration. Election Laws.
H.392  HD.71 By Mrs. Haddad of Somerset, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 392) of Patricia A. Haddad and others relative to special education funding. Education.
H.393  HD.72 By Mrs. Haddad of Somerset, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 393) of Patricia A. Haddad and others relative to improving procurement procedures to ensure opportunities for students with disabilities. Education.
S.404  SD.1030 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 404) of James B. Eldridge, Jennifer E. Benson, Lori A. Ehrlich, Carolyn C. Dykema and other members of the General Court for legislation to require producer responsibility for collection, reuse and recycling of discarded electronic products. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
H.438  HD.930 By Mr. Markey of Dartmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 438) of Christopher M. Markey, Benjamin B. Downing and James M. Cantwell relative to the disclosure of information concerning public school post-regular season athletic events. Education.
H.443  HD.677 By Mr. Michlewitz of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 443) of Aaron Michlewitz and others for legislation to support schools and communities in increasing opportunities for physical activity. Education.
S.446  SD.447 By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 446) of Michael O. Moore, Timothy R. Madden, Brian R. Mannal, Lori A. Ehrlich and other members of the General Court for legislation to enhance the enforcement of illegal hunting practices. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
S.451  SD.194 By Mr. Pacheco, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 451) of Marc R. Pacheco, Frank I. Smizik, Stephen Kulik, Chris Walsh and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a comprehensive adaptation management plan in response to climate change. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
S.454  SD.229 By Mr. Pacheco, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 454) of Marc R. Pacheco, Patricia A. Haddad, Peter V. Kocot, Chris Walsh and other members of the General Court lfor legislation relative to recycling. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
S.557  SD.1021 By Ms. Spilka, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 557) of Karen E. Spilka, David Paul Linsky, Jason M. Lewis, Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect access to confidential healthcare. Financial Services.
S.561  SD.1307 By Mr. Welch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 561) of James T. Welch, Benjamin B. Downing, Michael J. Rodrigues and James B. Eldridge for legislation to reform labor rates paid by insurance companies to auto repairers in the Commonwealth. Financial Services.
S.579  SD.996 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 579) of James B. Eldridge, Peter V. Kocot, Timothy R. Madden, Chris Walsh and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish Medicare for all in Massachusetts. Health Care Financing.
S.598  SD.1820 By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 598) of John F. Keenan, James B. Eldridge, Thomas M. McGee, Brendan P. Crighton and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to hospital closures and health planning. Health Care Financing.
H.636  HD.1480 By Ms. Cariddi of North Adams, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 636) of Gailanne M. Cariddi and Benjamin B. Downing relative to the feeding of wildlife. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
H.645  HD.3405 By Ms. Cronin of Easton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 645) of Claire D. Cronin and others for legislation to increase the annual stipend for members of the Commonwealth’s hazardous material response teams. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
H.707  HD.1407 By Mr. Kulik of Worthington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 707) of Stephen Kulik and others for legislation to establish old growth forest reserves in the Commonwealth. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
H.709  HD.1546 By Mr. Kulik of Worthington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 709) of Stephen Kulik and others for legislation to regulate the use of trapping devices to take beaver and muskrat. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
S.715  SD.362 By Mr. Pacheco, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 715) of Marc R. Pacheco and Thomas J. Calter for legislation relative to manufactured housing communities. Housing.
S.735  SD.398 By Ms. Chang-Diaz, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 735) of Sonia Chang-Diaz, Benjamin B. Downing, Michelle M. DuBois, Byron Rushing and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to equal access to public places regardless of gender identity. The Judiciary.
S.740  SD.61 By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 740) of Cynthia S. Creem, William N. Brownsberger, Daniel J. Ryan, Evandro C. Carvalho and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to special juveniles. The Judiciary.
S.759  SD.444 By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 759) of Cynthia S. Creem and Benjamin B. Downing for legislation relative to the profits from crime. The Judiciary.
S.903  SD.1026 By Ms. Spilka, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 903) of Karen E. Spilka, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., Bradley H. Jones, Jr., Michael J. Rodrigues and other members of the General Court for legislation to update privacy protections for personal electronic information. The Judiciary.
H.933  HD.2599 By Messrs. Rogers of Cambridge and Mark of Peru, a petition (accompanied by proposal, House, No. 933) of David M. Rogers, Paul W. Mark and others for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to declare rights afforded to the human inhabitants of the Commonwealth are not applicable to corporations, limited liability companies or any other corporate entities. Financial Services.
S.957  SD.809 By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 957) of William N. Brownsberger, Lori A. Ehrlich, Jason M. Lewis, Kenneth J. Donnelly and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the judicial enforcement of noncompetition agreements. Labor and Workforce Development.
S.1008  SD.1853 By Ms. Spilka, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1008) of Karen E. Spilka, Sonia Chang-Diaz, Kenneth J. Donnelly, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a family and medical leave and temporary disability leave insurance program. Labor and Workforce Development.
H.1030  HD.589 By Mr. Scibak of South Hadley, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1030) of John W. Scibak and others relative to establishing a grants program to increase dental services to Medicaid eligible patients. Health Care Financing.
H.1068  HD.3165 By Representative Sannicandro of Ashland and Senator Moore, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1068) of Tom Sannicandro, Michael Moore and others relative to strengthening and expanding affordable, quality higher education opportunities for residents of the Commonwealth. Higher Education.
S.1080  SD.906 By Ms. Gobi, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1080) of Anne M. Gobi, Brian M. Ashe, Todd M. Smola, Sean Garballey and other members of the General Court for legislation to create the Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. Municipalities and Regional Government.
S.1089  SD.351 By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1089) of Jason M. Lewis, Michael S. Day, Jennifer E. Benson, Carolyn C. Dykema and other members of the General Court for legislation to support municipal fiscal stability through a special education stabilization fund. Municipalities and Regional Government.
S.1125  SD.1530 By Ms. Chandler, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1125) of Harriette L. Chandler, John W. Scibak, Sal N. DiDomenico, Ruth B. Balser and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the enhanced management of early childhood caries among MassHealth patients. Public Health.
S.1149  SD.680 By Ms. Flanagan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1149) of Jennifer L. Flanagan, Claire D. Cronin, Kimberly N. Ferguson, Marjorie C. Decker and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the closing of hospital essential services. Public Health.
S.1155  SD.1100 By Ms. Gobi, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1155) of Anne M. Gobi, Gailanne M. Cariddi, Benjamin B. Downing, Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court for legislation to regulate central service technicians. Public Health.
S.1207  SD.311 By Mr. Pacheco, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1207) of Marc R. Pacheco, William M. Straus, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., David Paul Linsky and other members of the General Court for legislation to remove the restrictions on the licenses of nurse practitioners and certified registered nurse anesthetists as recommended by the Institute of Medicine and the Federal Trade Commission. Public Health.
H.1424  HD.768 By Mr. Kafka of Stoughton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1424) of Louis L. Kafka and others relative to the deposit of certain fines into the Victims of Human Trafficking Trust Fund. The Judiciary.
S.1470  SD.1402 By Ms. Donoghue, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1470) of Eileen M. Donoghue, Harriette L. Chandler, Robert M. Koczera, Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to access to capital for business growth in economically distressed communities. Revenue.
H.1515  HD.124 By Mr. Naughton of Clinton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1515) of Harold P. Naughton, Jr., and others relative to the compensation of chief probation officers of the Trial Court. The Judiciary.
S.1575  SD.636 By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1575) of Bruce E. Tarr and Benjamin B. Downing for legislation to improve tax administration processes in the Commonwealth. Revenue.
S.1633  SD.1088 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1633) of James B. Eldridge, Jason M. Lewis, Mary S. Keefe, Carmine L. Gentile and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve access to public records. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
S.1638  SD.1842 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1638) of James B. Eldridge, Jason M. Lewis, Mary S. Keefe, Benjamin B. Downing and other members of the General Court for legislation to enhance access to electronic public records. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
H.1769  HD.736 By Representative Story of Amherst and Senator Lovely, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1769) of Ellen Story, Joan B. Lovely and others for legislation to require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions for employees or prospective employees. Labor and Workforce Development.
S.1774  SD.1271 By Mr. Joyce, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1774) of Brian A. Joyce, Chris Walsh, Jay D. Livingstone, Frank I. Smizik and other members of the General Court for legislation to fuel job creation through energy efficiency. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
H.1835  HD.998 By Mrs. Ferguson of Holden, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1835) of Kimberly N. Ferguson and others relative to regional stabilization funds. Municipalities and Regional Government.
S.1849  SD.1383 By Mr. Lesser, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1849) of Eric P. Lesser, Thomas M. McGee, Harriette L. Chandler, James T. Welch and other members of the General Court for legislation to study the feasibility of high-speed rail access between Springfield and Boston. Transportation.
H.1867  HD.3556 By Ms. Story of Amherst, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1867) of Ellen Story and others for legislation to establish a Hampshire-Franklin commission on the status of women. Municipalities and Regional Government.
S.1893  SD.1742 By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1893) of Bruce E. Tarr, James M. Cantwell, Benjamin B. Downing, Viriato M. deMacedo and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote motor vehicle safety. Transportation.
H.1977  HD.945 By Mr. Heroux of Attleboro, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1977) of Paul R. Heroux and others for legislation to establish a rare disease advisory council. Public Health.
H.1996  HD.2782 By Representatives Khan of Newton and Donato of Medford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1996) of Kay Khan and others relative to further regulating health care costs and the dispensing of controlled substances. Public Health.
H.2053  HD.292 By Mr. Scibak of South Hadley, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2053) of John W. Scibak and others relative to expanding eligibility for certain dental providers to access the loan repayment program offered by the Department of Public Health. Public Health.
S.2146  SD.2467 Resolutions MEMORIALIZING THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO SWIFTLY AND DILIGENTLY FULFILL ITS CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO CONSIDER THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES’ NOMINEE TO THE SUPREME COURT
H.2154  HD.2525 By Mr. Mark of Peru, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2154) of Paul W. Mark and others for legislation to decrease the frequency of required elevator inspections in small towns from annually to every five years. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
S.2198  Resolutions (filed by Ms. Chandler, Messrs. Tarr, Rosenberg, Brady, Barrett, and Brownsberger, Ms. Chang-Diaz and Creem, Messrs. deMacedo, DiDomenico and Donnelly, Ms. Donoghue, Messrs. Downing, Eldridge and Fattman, Ms. Flanagan, Forry and Gobi, Mr. Humason, Ms. Jehlen, Messrs. Joyce, Keenan and Lesser, Ms. L'Italien and Lovely, Messrs. McGee, Montigny and Moore, Ms. O'Connor Ives, Messrs. Rodrigues and Ross, Ms. Spilka, Messrs. Timilty, Welch and Wolf) “congratulating Senator Marc R. Pacheco on being conferred the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star for services to the Republic of Austria.”
H.2296  HD.1564 By Mr. Galvin of Canton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2296) of William C. Galvin and others relative to the retirement benefits of certain state police officers. Public Service.
H.2372  HD.2281 By Mr. Michlewitz of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2372) of Aaron Michlewitz and others relative to public investments in fossil fuels. Public Service.
H.2454  HD.2722 By Mr. Cabral of New Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2454) of Antonio F. D. Cabral and others for legislation to provide tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic properties for mixed commercial and residential uses. Revenue.
H.2464  HD.2888 By Mr. Cantwell of Marshfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2464) of James M. Cantwell, Marcos A. Devers and Benjamin B. Downing for an investigation by the joint committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies relative to establishing a tax credit program for the development of new markets in the Commonwealth. Revenue.
S.2490  Senate, May 26, 2016 – Text of amendment (120) (offered by Senator Chang-Diaz) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 4) to the House Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 2017 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions and certain activities of the Commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund and serial bond requirements and for certain permanent improvements.
H.2655  HD.2310 By Mr. Pignatelli of Lenox, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2655) of William Smitty Pignatelli and others for legislation to authorize municipalities to reduce the real property tax obligations of persons over the age of sixty in exchange for volunteer service. Revenue.
H.2893  HD.1497 By Mr. Kulik of Worthington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2893) of Stephen Kulik and others relative to the authority of the Attorney General in reviewing certain applications that seek to increase the supply of gas and other non-renewable energy resources available in the Commonwealth. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
H.3040  HD.2529 By Mr. Mark of Peru, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3040) of Paul W. Mark and others for legislation to authorize the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to issue distinctive registration plates for firefighters. Transportation.
H.3060  HD.1761 By Representative Peake of Provincetown and Senator Chandler, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3060) of Sarah K. Peake and others for legislation to authorize regional transit authorities to establish enterprise funds. Transportation.
H.3063  HD.580 By Mr. Pignatelli of Lenox, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3063) of William Smitty Pignatelli and others for legislation to establish a commuter pass program for users of the Massachusetts Turnpike. Transportation.
H.3127  HD.1988 By Representative Atkins of Concord and Senator Eldridge, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3127) of Cory Atkins, James B. Eldridge and others for the adoption of resolutions memorializing the Congress of the United States to convene a Constitutional Convention to consider amendments to the Constitution to limit the influence of money in our political system. Veterans and Federal Affairs.
H.3242  HD.369 By Representatives Story of Amherst and Smola of Warren, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3242) of Ellen Story, Todd M. Smola and others relative to the labeling of genetically engineered food. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
H.3335  HD.3694 By Ms. Cariddi of North Adams, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Gailanne M. Cariddi and Benjamin B. Downing for legislation to designate a certain bridge in the town of Lanesborough as the Sergeant Gregory Aloysius Noonan Bridge. Transportation.
H.3578  HD.3884 By Ms. Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Benjamin B. Downing for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Phanarath Siv, an employee of the Department of Children and Families. Public Service.
H.3775  HD.4125 By Mr. Pignatelli of Lenox, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of William Smitty Pignatelli and others relative to establishing a local option gasoline and diesel fuel excise tax. Revenue.
H.4160  HD.4556 By Mr. Mark of Peru, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Paul W. Mark and others for the adoption of resolutions by the General Court relative to debt-free higher education at public colleges and universities. Higher Education.
* — Legislator is not a sponsor of this measure.