by Abbie Goodman, MALSCE Chief of External Affairs
MALSCE Government Affairs Update – June/July 2022
The Massachusetts Legislature’s formal session for the 2021-2022 legislature ends on July 31, 2022. Several major bills are in conference committees so that the House and Senate can work on compromise bills to send to the Governor's desk. Several other major bills are still working their way through either the House or the Senate, with a conference committee needed to work out any differences.
Here are bills sent to the Governor in mid-July 2022:
- FY2023 Budget: More Info >
- COVID-19 Policy Extensions: Chapter 107 of the Acts of 2022, passed by legislature and signed by Governor Baker: This new law extends some pandemic-era policies that were set to lapse on July 15, 2022 and will now remain in place through March 31, 2023.
Major Bills of Interest to MALSCE Members in conference committees or soon to be in one:
Dig Safe Currently in Infrastructure Bond Bill: The Massachusetts House and Senate sent the $10.4B infrastructure bond bill to conference committee on July 18; late on July 20, legislators indicated that they appear to be close to final deal, so we may see the final bill on July 21, when both the House and Senate are scheduled for formal sessions. Bills are: H 4916 and S 3016. This infrastructure bond bill is important for the state to allocate the state match for the federal IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) as well as to have additional funding to apply for some competitive federal infrastructure grants. In addition, both versions of the bill include our Dig Safe language, a direct result of our grassroots advocacy work. We are working to keep this language in the conference report for this bill.
- Conference Committee Report on Energy & Climate to be voted in House on 7/21/22: More Info >
- Senate Unveils $4.3 Billion Economic Development Bill
We are tracking issues related reporting for design professionals to Workforce Participation Goal Requirements under M.G.L. c. 149, § 44A(2)(G), which states that all contracts by a state agency or state-assisted contracts for design, construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, maintenance, or repair must contain workforce participation goals for minorities and women.
Let Abbie Goodman know if you are seeing language related to this reporting in your contracts.
7.20.4. Minority and Women Workforce Participation and Reporting. If the Awarding Authority is a state agency then pursuant to M.G.L. c. 7C, s. 6 and M.G.L. c. 149, s. 44A(1)(G) the Designer shall make every effort with a goal of increasing opportunities for minority and women design professionals to provide services under this contract. The Designer shall provide monthly reports of the gender and race/ethnicity of employees engaged in work under this contract in the form and format required by DCAMM, including, but not limited to electronic reporting.
Next Board of Registration meeting: July 28, 2022, on Teams. The Board of Registration plans to continue virtual meetings for now, as the Governor and Legislature have extended the law allowing virtual public meetings like this to continue through March 31, 2023. To connect to the meeting, go to this page and scroll down to the meeting listing to download the agenda with connection instructions.
To connect to the July 28, 2022 meeting, go to this page and scroll down to the meeting listing to download the agenda with connection instructions.
At the June 23, 2022, meeting, the Division of Occupational Licensure introduced the PE and PLS Board’s new Executive Director: Jason Wentworth. He will also serve as Executive Director for these Board: Architects, Embalming & Funeral Directors, and Occupational Schools.
June 23, 2022, Meeting Summary: these are not minutes, but a summary of what I heard.
Chair Paul Tyrell opened the meeting at 9:05AM
Previously reported Background on Town of Swansea Issue (scroll down in November MALSCE Report)
- The public meeting ended at 9:43 AM
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May 26, 2022, Board of Registration Meeting Summary: these are not minutes, but a summary of what I heard.
Chair Paul Tyrell opened the meeting at 9:05AM
Previously reported Background on Town of Swansea Issue (scroll down in November MALSCE External Affairs Report)
- The public meeting ended at 10:30 AM
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