BEACON HILL ROLL CALL
Volume 51 Number 42
October 12 – 16, 2026
Copyright © Beacon Hill Roll Call. All Rights Reserved
THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. During the week of October 12-16, the House met for a total of 22 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 36 minutes.
On November 3, or prior to that for voters who take advantage of early voting between October 17-30, all voters will have the opportunity to vote on nine ballot questions that will become law if approved by the majority of voters.
Secretary of State Bill Galvin has issued an 88-page book via the U.S. mail and online with details about each question. If you would rather not read the entire 88-page book, Beacon Hill Roll Call continues its look at each ballot question over the next several weeks prior to the election. This week’s report includes Questions 7, 8 and 9.
BALLOT QUESTION 7 – Here is a look at Question 7:
QUESTION 7: THIS PROPOSED LAW WOULD ALLOW SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES TO BE BUILT IN A RESIDENTIALLY ZONED AREA AS LONG AS THE LAND ON WHICH IT IS TO BE CONSTRUCTED IS AT LEAST 5,000 SQUARE FEET AND MEETS OTHER CONDITIONS.
This question asks voters if they approve of a proposed law that would allow single-family homes to be built in a residentially zoned area as long as the land on which it is to be constructed is at least 5,000 square feet, has at least 50 feet of land bordering the street, road or public way that it faces and has access to public sewer and water services. It would also allow cities and towns to reasonably regulate certain aspects of those single-family homes, including their height, distance from neighboring buildings, open space, parking requirements and whether they can be rented out on a short-term basis.
WHAT YOUR VOTE DOES:
A “Yes” vote would allow single-family homes to be built on lots of 5,000 square feet or more in residential areas, subject to reasonable local regulation of certain aspects of those homes.
A “No” vote would make no change to the current law on building single-family homes.
BALLOT QUESTION 8 – Here is a look at Question 8:
QUESTION 8: THIS PROPOSED LAW WOULD PROHIBIT RETAIL SALE OF ADULT RECREATIONAL USE MARIJUANA.
This question asks voters if they approve of a proposed law that would change the type and amount of marijuana that may be legally possessed in Massachusetts by repealing the current laws that legalize, regulate and tax the retail sale of adult recreational use marijuana. The proposed law would also permit persons 21 years of age and older to possess one ounce or less of marijuana, including no more than five grams in the form of concentrate and to gift or transfer to another person 21 years of age and older one ounce or less of marijuana including no more than five grams in the form of concentrate. The proposed law would also impose a civil penalty of $100 and forfeiture of the marijuana for the possession of marijuana between the weight of one and two ounces.
For persons 21 years of age and younger, the proposed law would make the possession of two ounces or less of marijuana a civil infraction subject to a $100 fine, forfeiture of the marijuana, completion of a drug awareness program, community service and notification to their parents or legal guardian of the offense and penalties.
The proposed law would also allow currently licensed adult recreational marijuana businesses to apply on an expedited basis to become a licensed medical marijuana dispensary and to sell their remaining inventory of adult recreational marijuana to medical marijuana dispensaries.
WHAT YOUR VOTE DOES:
A “Yes” vote would prohibit the legalization, regulation and taxation of the retail sale of adult recreational use marijuana and change the penalties for possession of marijuana.
A “No” vote would make no change to the current law relative to marijuana.
BALLOT QUESTION 9 – Here is a look at Question 9:
QUESTION 9: DO VOTERS WANT TO KEEP IN PLACE A CURRENT LAW WHICH INCREASES THE REGULATION OF FIREARMS, INCLUDING GHOST GUNS, MACHINE GUNS AND ASSAULT-STYLE WEAPONS.
This question asks voters if they want to keep in place the current law, approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Maura Healy in 2024, that added school administrators and licensed healthcare providers as parties permitted to ask a court to issue an Extreme Risk Protection Order – requiring an individual to surrender or relinquish their firearm licenses, permits and firearms – if an individual is a present danger to himself, herself or others. The law also provides that, when issuing a Harassment Prevention Order, a court may also order the surrender of firearms licenses, permits and firearms.
The current law imposes penalties for possessing, creating and transferring untraceable “ghost gun” firearms and requires all firearms except antiques and relics, including unfinished frames and receivers that can be readily made into a finished product, to have serial numbers; changes firearms licensing requirements to allow local licensing authorities to request prior license and permit information from the state, as well as access petitions for involuntary mental health commitments denied by a court in addition to prior involuntary commitments, as a part of their review of applications for licenses to carry firearms, firearm ID cards and licenses to sell firearms; requires an individual to be 21 years of age to own semiautomatic rifles or shotguns; adds the possibility of incarceration of up to six months for a second offense of failing to report a firearm loss or theft; and enables 12-15 year olds to apply for a self-defense spray permit with parental permission, and 15 to 18 year olds to apply independently.
The law also changes the definition of “machine gun” to include bump stocks, trigger cranks, Glock switches and auto sears among the devices whose possession and use are subject to penalties; clarifies how to determine whether a firearm is an assault-style weapon and the circumstances under which a person may continue to possess assault-style weapons and large capacity feeding devices they already own; clarifies requirements relating to the carry and transport of firearms in motor vehicles and ATVs. It prohibits the carrying of firearms in government buildings, polling locations and schools, with certain exceptions; and criminalizes discharging a firearm and striking a building in use.
WHAT YOUR VOTE DOES:
A “Yes” vote would keep in place the current law, which increases the regulation of firearms, including ghost guns, machine guns and assault-style weapons.
A “No” vote would repeal this current law.
For more information and details on each bill, roll call attendance, and other relevant information, please visit the Wakefield Daily Item at www.localheadlinenews.com.