The AeA New England Legislative Alert is designed to inform members about legislation and critical developments impacting high technology businesses. Published by AeA New England, 444 Washington Street, Suite 405, Woburn, MA  01801.  For more information, please contact Anne Doherty Johnson, Executive Director, at 781.938.1925, x105.  

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Political Overview - Massachusetts 2007

The biggest news at the State House is the resignation by Senate President Robert Travaglini on Wednesday, March 21, and the elevation of Senator Therese Murray to fill his post. Travaglini served as Senate President for 4 years and is leaving state government for the private sector. Murray is the first woman in Massachusetts history to head either the House or the Senate.

Tax issues are dominating in the State House. The state faces a tight budget for FY2008, with an expected shortfall of more than $1 billion. There will undoubtedly have to be cutbacks in FY2008. Where those cutbacks are made and how to balance the budget will be issues of contention in the coming months.  The budget process is well under way with Patrick’s proposal already submitted and the House’s version due out in April.

Governor Patrick has floated proposals to close corporate tax loopholes to generate more revenue, thereby increasing the tax burden on businesses in the Bay State. These have drawn substantial criticism as it would effectively increase the tax burden on businesses in Massachusetts. However, Senate President Murray and House Speaker DiMasi have both voiced their opposition to the bill and it is highly unlikely it will pass.  The budget process is well under way with Patrick’s proposal already submitted and the House’s version due out in April.

Another proposal in the Governor’s tax plan would be to extend the 5 percent sales tax to intangible goods. Three years ago, software downloaded in Massachusetts became subject to the sales tax.

Patrick’s Municipal Partnership bill (HB 3749), filed on February 15, includes language that will eliminate the property tax exemption on telecommunications infrastructure such as telephone poles and wires. Eliminating this exemption is expected to raise about $140 million, which will be used to ease residential tax burdens.

In other recent news, the House and Senate finally passed a $1.5 billion bond bill that has been needed since July 2006. It will fund various projects and state agencies, including providing $75 million to ITD. The bill was signed into law on March 23.

The Legislature has begun to review all the bills filed at the beginning of the session in January. Identity theft legislation is a top priority and other legislation expected to move includes bills regarding UCITA, a toxic use reduction act, spyware, e-waste, and others.


Proposed Legislation Tackles Data Breach and Identity Theft

Among the issues we are tracking on your behalf are a number of data breach and ID theft bills filed this session. With the heavy publicity generated around
data breaches by major retailers, we expect some bill to move this session.

A hearing on ID Theft bills is scheduled for April 10, 2007 at 10 am at the State House. Bills focused on fraudulent documents (HB 1355) and health privacy (HB
2276) do not have hearings scheduled as of yet. Following is a list of these bills and their current status. Copies of the bills are available on-line at: http://www.mass.gov/legis

MA H 213
Author: Costello (D)
Title: Consumer Information
Introduced: 01/10/2007
Location: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
Summary: Relates to enhancing the confidentiality and protection of certain consumer information.
Status: 01/10/2007 INTRODUCED.
01/10/2007 - Filed as House Docket 3251.
01/10/2007 - To JOINT Committee on CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE.
03/28/2007 - Hearing scheduled for 4/10/2007

MA H 328
Author: Straus (D)
Title: Identity Theft Protection
Introduced: 01/10/2007
Location: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
Summary: Relates to identity theft protection.
Status: 01/10/2007 INTRODUCED.
01/10/2007 - Filed as House Docket 3032.
01/10/2007 - To JOINT Committee on CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE.
03/28/2007 - Hearing scheduled for 4/10/2007

MA H 1355
Author: Rivera (D)
Title: Counterfeit and Fraudulent Documents
Introduced:01/10/2007
Location: Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Summary:Relates to counterfeit and fraudulent documents.
Status: 01/10/2007 INTRODUCED.
01/10/2007 - Filed as House Docket 1018.
01/10/2007 - To JOINT Committee on JUDICIARY.
03/28/2007 - No hearing scheduled yet

MA H 2276
Author: Walsh M (D)
Title: Health Privacy
Introduced: 01/10/2007
Location: Joint Committee on Public Health
Summary: Relates to health privacy.
Status: 01/10/2007 INTRODUCED.
01/10/2007 - Filed as House Docket 3762.
01/10/2007 - To JOINT Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH.
03/28/2007 - No hearing scheduled yet

MA S 160
Author: Barrios (D)
Title: Personal Information Protection
Introduced: 01/10/2007
Location: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
Summary: Establishes the protection of personal information protection.
Status: 01/10/2007 INTRODUCED.
01/10/2007 - To JOINT Committee on CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE.
01/10/2007 - Filed as Senate Docket 952.
03/28/2007- Hearing scheduled for 4/10/2007

MA S 161
Author: Barrios (D)
Title: Public Safety and Identity Theft
Introduced: 01/10/2007
Location: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
Summary:Regards public safety and identity theft.
Status: 01/10/2007 INTRODUCED.
01/10/2007 - To JOINT Committee on CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE.
01/10/2007 - Filed as Senate Docket 998.
03/28/2007 -Hearing scheduled for 4/10/2007

MA S 163
Author: Barrios (D)
Title: Public Safety and Identity Theft
Introduced:01/10/2007
Location: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
Summary:Regards public safety and policing practices to prevent identity theft.
Status: 01/10/2007 INTRODUCED.
01/10/2007 - To JOINT Committee on CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE.
01/10/2007- Filed as Senate Docket 1998.
03/28/2007- Hearing scheduled for 4/10/2007

MA S 208
Author: Morrissey (D)
Title: Data Breaches and Security Freezes
Introduced: 01/10/2007
Location: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
Summary: Relates to security freezes and notification of data breaches.
Status: 01/10/2007 INTRODUCED.
01/10/2007 - To JOINT Committee on CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE.
01/10/2007 - Filed as Senate Docket 1744.
03/28/2007 -Hearing scheduled for 4/10/2007

MA S 232
Author: Tisei (R)
Title: Identity Theft and Consumer Report Security Freezes
Introduced: 01/10/2007
Location: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
Summary: Relates to identity theft and consumer report security freezes.
Status: 01/10/2007 INTRODUCED.
01/10/2007 - To JOINT Committee on CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE.
01/10/2007 - Filed as Senate Docket 1359.
03/28/2007 - Hearing scheduled for 4/10/2007

Legislative Calendar

The Massachusetts Legislature begins a new two-year session in January 2007. Thousands of bills will be filed by the January 10 deadline and will slowly become available over the following weeks as the clerks work through them. Posting on line generally takes place over time.

Get Involved and Shape Your Future

Get involved in AeA's state, federal and international government affairs activities to stay up to date on key industry developments and to make sure your voice is heard.  Call the AeA office at 781.938.1925, x105 to learn more about proposed legislation impacting your business and what you can do to play an active role in shaping their outcome.

This page was last updated on 04/06/07.  
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