HB 704-FN-A (2026): making an appropriation to the retired senior volunteer program.

HB 704-FN-A (2026)

making an appropriation to the retired senior volunteer program.

• Status: Died on the table
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
• Senate committee: Finance
• Subject: Public and Mental Health

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 12, 2025, with 279 people signed in online: 272 in support and 7 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 12, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 16–1 to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. On March 6, 2025 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. On March 6, 2025 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on March 17, 2025. The committee met in executive session on April 1, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held a work session on September 29, 2025. The committee met in executive session on October 30, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 25–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2963h), and the report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2963h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 8, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 8, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate and was referred to the Senate Finance committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 17, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it. On March 12, 2026 the Senate adopted the motion that it ought to pass on a voice vote, but its third reading was left pending. On March 12, 2026 the Senate voted to lay it on the table on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. James Gray.

Sponsors

• Rep. Mary Jane Wallner (D - Merr 19) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Wayne MacDonald (R - Rock 16)
• Rep. David Nagel (D - Belk 6)
• Rep. Charles McMahon (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Mark Proulx (R - Hills 15)
• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 12, 2025, 9:30 AM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 301-303
• February 12, 2025, 9:30 AM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, LOB 301-303
• March 6, 2025: floor debate, House
• March 17, 2025, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• April 1, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, LOB 210-211
• September 29, 2025, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 230
• October 30, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• January 8, 2026: floor debate, House
• February 17, 2026, 1:15 PM: hearing, Senate Finance, SH 103
• March 12, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 6, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• January 8, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2963h — voice vote, passed
• March 12, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• March 12, 2026, Senate: Laid on Table — voice vote, passed

The Docket

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 14, page 23
• HC 51, page 37
• SJ 2
• HJ 2, page 29
• SC 6
• SC 9
• SJ 6