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Bill Docket Bill Title
S.12 SD1 By Ms. Murray, a petition (accompanied by proposal, Senate, No. 12) of Therese Murray, Josh S. Cutler, James M. Cantwell, Barry R. Finegold and other members of the General Court for a legislative amendment to the Constitution relative to absentee and early voting. Election Laws.
S.97 SD1118 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 97) of James B. Eldridge, Benjamin B. Downing, Mary S. Keefe, Danielle W. Gregoire and other members of the General Court for legislation to expand the sale of products by farmer breweries. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
S.106 SD1004 By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 106) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Sal N. DiDomenico, Jason M. Lewis, Benjamin Swan and other members of the General Court for legislation to reduce unwanted communication from creditors to protect the peace and privacy of residents. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
S.177 SD975 By Mr. Joyce, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 177) of Brian A. Joyce, Benjamin B. Downing, Daniel A. Wolf, Frank I. Smizik and other members of the General Court for legislation to fuel job creation through energy efficiency . Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
S.207 SD1419 By Ms. Chang-Diaz, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 207) of Sonia Chang-Diaz, Katherine M. Clark, Barry R. Finegold, Danielle W. Gregoire and other members of the General Court for legislation to revive the Foundation Budget Review Commission. Education.
H.266 HD1392 By Ms. Peake of Provincetown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 266) of Sarah K. Peake, Benjamin B. Downing and Cory Atkins relative to time share resale and transfer service providers. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
H.267 HD999 By Ms. Peisch of Wellesley, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 267) of Alice Hanlon Peisch and others relative to small brewers of alcoholic beverages. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
S.314 SD1139 By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 314) of Cynthia S. Creem, Kenneth I. Gordon, Kay Khan, Jonathan Hecht and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish election day registration. Election Laws.
H.321 HD304 By Representative Peake of Provincetown and Senator Rosenberg, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 321) of Sarah K. Peake, Stanley C. Rosenberg and others relative to coordinating the availability of transit services to employees of existing and expanding businesses by the Massachusetts Office of Business Development. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
S.321 SD1082 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 321) of James B. Eldridge, Cory Atkins, William N. Brownsberger, Christopher G. Fallon and other members of the General Court for legislation to disclose political spending. Election Laws.
S.357 SD961 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 357) of James B. Eldridge, William N. Brownsberger, Jason M. Lewis, Denise Provost and other members of the General Court for legislation to require producer responsibility for collection reuse and recycling of discarded electronic products. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
S.361 SD1605 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 361) of James B. Eldridge, Martha M. Walz, Michael Barrett, Mary S. Keefe and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect the natural and historic resources of the Commonwealth. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
S.381 SD1226 By Mr. Michael O. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 381) of Michael O. Moore, James B. Eldridge, William N. Brownsberger, Thomas M. Stanley and other members of the General Court for legislation to enhance the enforcement of illegal hunting practices. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
H.415 HD43 By Mrs. Haddad of Somerset, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 415) of Patricia A. Haddad and others relative to improving procurement procedures to assure opportunities for students with disabilities. Education.
S.497 SD896 By Mr. Welch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 497) of James T. Welch, Michael J. Rodrigues, Michael J. Finn, Michael R. Knapik and other members of the General Court for legislation to reform labor rates paid by insurance companies to auto repairers in the Commonwealth. Financial Services.
S.515 SD1059 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 515) of James B. Eldridge, Jason M. Lewis, Martha M. Walz, William Smitty Pignatelli and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish Medicare for all in Massachusetts. Health Care Financing.
S.554 SD1499 By Mr. Richard T. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 554) of Richard T. Moore, Kay Khan, Anne M. Gobi, Michael J. Rodrigues and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect health care reform funding. Health Care Financing.
S.585 SD189 By Mr. Michael O. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 585) of Michael O. Moore, Tom Sannicandro, Jennifer L. Flanagan, Michael R. Knapik and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a commission on the funding needs for quality public higher education. Higher Education.
S.610 SD304 By Mr. Pacheco, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 610) of Attorney General Martha Coakley, Marc R. Pacheco, Patricia A. Haddad, Benjamin B. Downing and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to manufactured housing communities. Housing.
S.643 SD568 By Ms. Chang-Diaz, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 643) of Sonia Chang-Diaz, Benjamin B. Downing, Cynthia S. Creem, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to equal access to public places regardless of gender identity. The Judiciary.
H.674 HD1829 By Ms. Cariddi of North Adams, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 674) of Gailanne M. Cariddi and Benjamin B. Downing for legislation relative to the feeding of wildlife. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
S.703 SD1229 By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 703) of Cynthia S. Creem and Benjamin B. Downing for legislation relative to the profits from crime. The Judiciary.
S.741 SD1690 By Mr. Hedlund, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 741) of Robert L. Hedlund, Thomas M. Stanley, Martha M. Walz, John P. Fresolo and other members of the General Court for legislation to prevent animal cruelty. The Judiciary.
H.756 HD3259 By Mr. Kulik of Worthington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 756) of Stephen Kulik and others relative to the Endangered Species Act. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
H.782 HD385 By Mr. Pignatelli of Lenox, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 782) of William Smitty Pignatelli and others for legislation to exempt the personal use of milk and raw milk products by owners of cows and goats from certain laws governing the use of said products. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
S.796 SD362 By Ms. Spilka, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 796) of Karen E. Spilka, Martha M. Walz, William N. Brownsberger, Kay Khan and other members of the General Court for legislation to update privacy protections for personal electronic information. The Judiciary.
S.858 SD782 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 858) of James B. Eldridge, Benjamin B. Downing, Marc R. Pacheco, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish uniform wage compliance and recordkeeping. Labor and Workforce Development.
S.878 SD752 By Mr. Pacheco, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 878) of Marc R. Pacheco, Daniel A. Wolf, Michael D. Brady, Martha M. Walz and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the minimum wage. Labor and Workforce Development.
S.882 SD488 By Mr. Petruccelli, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 882) of Anthony W. Petruccelli, Katherine M. Clark, Sal N. DiDomenico, William N. Brownsberger and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a domestic workers bill of rights. Labor and Workforce Development.
S.908 SD777 By Ms. Flanagan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 908) of Jennifer L. Flanagan, William N. Brownsberger, Michael J. Rodrigues, Richard J. Ross and other members of the General Court for legislation to provide services to adults with developmental disabilities. Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
S.992 SD103 By Ms. Chandler, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 992) of Harriette L. Chandler, John W. Scibak, Karen E. Spilka, Mark C. Montigny and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to adult dental restoration. Public Health.
S.1042 SD716 By Mr. Knapik, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1042) of Michael R. Knapik, Benjamin B. Downing, Richard J. Ross, James M. Murphy and other members of the General Court for legislation to allow out-of-state physicians to order home care in the Commonwealth. Public Health.
H.1127 HD3170 By Mr. Honan of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1127) of Kevin G. Honan and others for legislation to provide financing for the production and preservation of housing for low and moderate income residents. Housing.
S.1480 SD628 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1480) of James B. Eldridge, Sheila C. Harrington, Jason M. Lewis, Denise Andrews and other members of the General Court for legislation to enhance access to electronic public records. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
S.1481 SD629 By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1481) of James B. Eldridge, Jason M. Lewis, James Arciero, William N. Brownsberger and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve access to public records. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
S.1588 SD522 By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1588) of Cynthia S. Creem, Benjamin B. Downing, Daniel A. Wolf, Martha M. Walz and other members of the General Court for legislation to update the bottle bill . Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
H.1589 HD1172 By Messrs. Rushing of Boston and Sciortino of Medford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1589) of Byron Rushing, Carl M. Sciortino, Jr. and others relative to gender identity and access to public accommodations. The Judiciary.
S.1630 SD461 By Mr. Rosenberg, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1630) of Stanley C. Rosenberg, Benjamin B. Downing, Gale D. Candaras, Garrett J. Bradley and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the protection of the commercial value of artists, entertainers, and other notable personalities. Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.
S.1635 SD969 By Mr. Brewer, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1635) of Stephen M. Brewer, Stephen Kulik, Todd M. Smola, Benjamin B. Downing and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote environmentally sound transportation of agricultural products. Transportation.
H.1862 HD680 By Messrs. Lewis of Winchester and Turner of Dennis, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1862) of Jason M. Lewis, Cleon H. Turner and others for legislation to enhance municipal fiscal stability through a special education stabilization fund. Municipalities and Regional Government.
H.2009 HD986 By Representatives Khan of Newton and Donato of Medford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2009) of Kay Khan, Paul J. Donato and others relative to further regulating health care costs and the dispensing of controlled substances. Public Health.
H.2374 HD1719 By Mr. Kulik of Worthington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2374) of Stephen Kulik, Benjamin B. Downing and Stanley C. Rosenberg relative to transferring the employees of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments to the state employee’s retirement system. Public Service.
H.3102 HD2561 By Mr. Mark of Peru, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3102) of Paul W. Mark and others for legislation to authorize the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to issue distinctive registration plates for fire fighters. Transportation.
H.3119 HD296 By Representative Peake of Provincetown and Senator Rosenberg, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3119) of Sarah K. Peake, Stanley Rosenberg and others for legislation to authorize regional transit authorities to establish enterprise funds. Transportation.

Benjamin B. Downing (D- Pittsfield) was first elected to the Massachusetts Senate on November 7, 2006 and was re-elected in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Senator Downing represents the 52 communities of the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden District, proudly serving the largest Senate district in the Commonwealth.

Senator Downing serves as the Senate chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, which is tasked with reviewing all matters concerning renewable and non-renewable energy sources. He is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Bills in Third Reading, which reviews all bills on the Senate calendar to ensure they are constitutional and free from drafting errors before they are considered for engrossment.

The Senator also serves as vice-chairman of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. In past legislative sessions he served as chair of the Public Service Committee (2007), the Senate Ethics and Rules Committee (2007-2008), the Revenue (2009-2010) and Higher Education (2010) Committees and the Senate Committee on Steering & Policy (2012). He is an active member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, and serves on several other Senate and joint committees. Senator Downing is also a member of several legislative caucuses; he serves as co-chairman of the Gateway Cities Caucus, vice chairman of the Regional Transit Authorities (RTA) Caucus, and is an active participant of the Regional Schools Caucus.

A Pittsfield native, Senator Downing received his B.A. in Political Science from Providence College in 2003. In May 2008 he received a M.A. from Tufts University’s Department of Urban and Environment Policy & Planning. Before returning to Pittsfield, Senator Downing lived in Washington, D.C. working for former U.S. Representative William Delahunt (D- Quincy) and U.S. Representative Richard E. Neal (D- Springfield), before joining the staff of U.S. Representative John W. Olver (D- Amherst). For nearly two years he served as senior advisor to Congressman Olver.

Senator Downing’s family has a long history of public service. He is the oldest of four children (Maggie, Nate and Nick) raised by the late Berkshire District Attorney Gerard and Pamela Downing. He is married to Micaelah B. Morrill.

Personal Information

Profession: Legislator/Public Service
Religion: Roman Catholic

Career Highlights

  • Elected 2006; Re-elected 2008, 2010 and 2012
  • Chair, Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy 2011-2012 and 2013-2014;Chair, Senate Committee on Bills in Third Reading 2013-2014;
  • Chair, Senate Committee on Steering & Policy 2012;Acting Chair, Joint Committee on Higher Education 2010;Chair, Joint Committee on Revenue 2009-2010
  • Chair, Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules 2007-2008;Chair, Joint Committee on Public Service 2007

Education & Public Service

  • Pittsfield Catholic Schools
  • Providence College, BA - Political Science 2003
  • Tufts University, MA - Public Policy 2008
  • “Honorary Chairman, College Democrats of Massachusetts”
  • Co-Chair, Massachusetts Democratic Party's Committee on Youth Services
  • Co-Chair of the Leadership Council to End Chronic Homelessness in Berkshire County
  • Advisory Council of the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
  • Pittsfield Democratic Committee
Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden -- Consisting of the cities and towns in the county of Berkshire; the towns of Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg and Worthington in the county of Hampshire; and the towns of Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Conway, Hawley, Heath, Monroe, Rowe and Shelburne in the county of Franklin; and the towns of Blandford and Chester in the county of Hampden.