Judiciary Committee Plans Hearing Date for Statute of Limitations Bills

The Joint Committee on the Judiciary has announced to Senators and Senate staff that it will hold a hearing on bills intended to extend the statutes of limitations in child sexual abuse cases, both civil and criminal, on May 7, 2013, in Room A2 of the State House at 1:00 p.m. This hearing is open to the public, …

Special Commission on Commonwealth’s Disability Retirement System Files Final Report

The Special Commission on the Commonwealth’s Disability Retirement System filed its final report yesterday. Senator Brownsberger and Representative John Scibak chaired the Commission, which has met regularly since September. The Commission held hearings to seek the public’s feedback in October and has considered proposals to improve the system since then. The report includes recommendations of the Commission and data analysis conducted by …

Special Commission on the Commonwealth’s Disability Retirement System to Discuss Proposals for Reform

The Special Commission on the Commonwealth’s Disability Retirement System, which Senator Brownsberger co-chairs, will be brainstorming and discussing proposals for reform at its meeting on Wednesday, March 27, 2013. This meeting is open to the public and will take place at 1 p.m. in Room 157 of the State House.  We invite you to share …

Vetting the Transportation Plan

Last week, Governor Patrick filed legislation implementing his transportation investment program.  Hearings will begin soon and it’s worth understanding how the vetting process will work. In January, the Governor filed his budget proposal, which is a proposed law, subject to the usual legislative hearing process.  In addition, he rolled out his transportation vision document, called …

H802, An Act relative to mercury added thermostats

Senator Brownsberger submitted the following written testimony to the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. TO:          Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture  FROM:     Senator William N. Brownsberger  RE:            H802, An Act relative to mercury added thermostats  DATE:       March 21, 2013  I am writing in support of H802, An Act relative to mercury …

H814, An Act relative to producer responsibility for mercury-added lamps

Senator Brownsberger submitted the following written testimony to the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. TO:          Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture   FROM:     Senator William N. Brownsberger   RE:            H814, An Act relative to producer responsibility for mercury-added lamps   DATE:       March 21, 2013   I am writing in support of …