Massachusetts House Passes Local Tax, Conservation, and Senior Relief Bills in Brief Session

BOSTON -- July 13, 2026, Massachusetts House clears local tax, liquor, conservation, and senior relief bills in ten-minute Sunday session. Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan presided July 13 as the chamber passed or advanced nine measures by unanimous voice vote, including House 4585 authorizing expanded senior property tax abatements in Auburn, Senate 2628 regulating liquor licensing in Bolton, and Senate 2577 increasing parking fines in Scituate. House 5417, authorizing Lynnfield to impose a local restaurant meals tax, advanced to a third reading after suspension of Rule 7A. The House also concurred with a Senate amendment to and then enacted Senate 2903, honoring Blue Star families. Joint Rule 12 was suspended on petitions by Representative Simon Cataldo to establish a Great Brook State Park Trust Fund and by Representative Thomas W. Moakley to designate a regional lockup as part of the Dukes County Jail and House of Correction. The session closed with a moment of silence for Fitchburg Deputy Fire Chief Patrick James "P.J." Roy, 45, a 20-year department veteran who died July 8 in Worcester.