Massachusetts House accepts western Mass. lawmaker's resignation, advances local bills

BOSTON -- January 15, 2026, The Massachusetts House accepted a resignation letter and advanced a slate of local bills in a brief informal session January 15. Representative Natalie M. Blais of Deerfield, who has represented the 28-community 1st Franklin District for seven years, announced her resignation effective January 19, 2026, in a letter to the clerk citing "a great honor and privilege" to serve the most rural district in the Commonwealth. The House extended reporting deadlines for the Committee on Education and the Committee on Public Service to March 18, 2026, ordered three private relief bills, covering a Boston police age waiver for Louis Cabral and sick leave banks for two state employees, to a third reading, and passed local legislation affecting the Town of Orange's annual meeting date, the Dalton Fire District's water commissioners, and Milton's liquor licensing authority. A consumer protection bill further defining subprime loans (House No. 1110) was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means after the Committee on Bills on Third Reading asked to be discharged. The House adjourned in memory of Salvatore Cimino, a former Milford member who served from 1979 to 1980.