Press Room

An Act fostering agricultural resilience in Massachusetts (the FARM Bill) would support farmers by codifying state agricultural investment programs, improving the resilience of the state’s food supply chain, removing barriers to supplemental income on farms, and helping families and children access healthy, local produce. The FARM Bill also looks to the future by mapping agricultural lands, encouraging the creation of urban agricultural sites, and preparing to train the farmers of tomorrow.

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means voted today to advance legislation to support Massachusetts farmers by fostering the growing agritourism sector, making agricultural investment programs permanent, and tracking the preservation and use of local farmland.

The Massachusetts Senate today unanimously passed legislation to end the inhumane puppy-mill-to-pet-shop pipeline by cutting off commercial sales of cats and dogs in Massachusetts pet stores.

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means voted today to advance legislation that supports safety for firefighters and construction workers by tracking code violations around ‘hot work’ such as welding.

An Act relative to violation of regulation regarding hot work processes would boost safety for firefighters and people conducting ‘hot work’—welding, plasma cutting, and spark-producing construction.

Today, Senator Vanna Howard was sworn in as State Senator for the First Middlesex District during a formal session of the Massachusetts Senate.

Today, Senate President Karen E. Spilka announced her support for ending the twice-yearly clock change and establishing a permanent, consistent time system in Massachusetts.

Next week the Massachusetts Senate will take up the PETS Act, an animal anti-cruelty bill that would put a stop to puppy and kitten sales in commercial pet stores and make reforms to the state’s pet laws to ensure more ethical and equitable treatment of animals statewide.