Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H4419: Resolve providing for an investigation by a special commission relative to the strengths and sustainability of the Commonwealth’s emergency food network
Status: In committee, July 27, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, September 8, 2025:
Resolved, that a special commission is hereby established to study the sustainability of eligible emergency food providers, known as food pantries, in the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP). The commission shall study the strengths of food pantry programs and the challenges they face regarding the adequacy of state support, workforce development, organizational sustainability, governance, succession planning, and capacity to meet resident needs. Resolved, that the commission shall make recommendations to address the capacity of the emergency food network, specifically the network of food pantries, regarding: (i) workforce development, training, apprenticeship opportunities, (ii) policies and technical assistance to support organizational sustainability, governance and succession planning, (iii) assessment of emergency food needed to meet the commonwealth’s demand, (iv) implications of increased need on projected purchasing and impact on state funding and private fundraising, and (v) the frequency of food pantry use by Massachusetts residents. Resolved, the commission shall consist of: the commissioner of the Massachusetts department of agricultural resources or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of the department of transitional assistance or a designee; a member of the Massachusetts food system caucus to be appointed by the chairs of the caucus; a member who shall be appointed by the speaker; a member who shall be appointed by the senate president; a representative of the merrimack valley food …
Sponsors
- Mindy Domb (D, 3rd Hampshire)
- Andres Vargas (D)
- James Arena-DeRosa (D)
- Natalie Blais (D, 1st Franklin)
- Joanne Comerford (D, Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester)
- James Eldridge (D, Middlesex and Worcester)
- Tara Hong (D)
- Margaret Scarsdale (D)
- Natalie Higgins (D, 4th Worcester)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended resolve ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
- : Discharged to the committee on House Rules
- : Resolve reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently
- : New draft of H118
- : Reported from the committee on Agriculture and Fisheries
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries (August 7, 2025): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H4419?
- H4419 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): Resolve providing for an investigation by a special commission relative to the strengths and sustainability of the Commonwealth’s emergency food network.
- What is the status of H4419?
- In committee as of July 27, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended resolve ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (July 27, 2026).
- Who sponsored H4419?
- Mindy Domb (D, 3rd Hampshire), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H4419?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4419
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.