Massachusetts · 194th Legislature (2025-2026) · Bill
H 5435: An Act authorizing the town of Topsfield to continue to employment of police chief Neal Hovey
Passed both chambers Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
H 5435 is a bill introduced in the Massachusetts House on May 18, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: An Act authorizing the town of Topsfield to continue to employment of police chief Neal Hovey. It lists 3 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (October 26, 2026): Referred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
By Representatives Kassner of Hamilton and Kerans of Danvers, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5435) of Kristin E. Kassner, Sally P. Kerans and Bruce E. Tarr (by vote of the town) that the town of Topsfield be authorized to continue to employment of police chief Neal Hovey. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2 · Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kristin Kassner | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 2nd Essex |
| Sally Kerans | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 13th Essex |
| Bruce Tarr | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | First Essex and Middlesex |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Referred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading
- Read third (title changed), amended and passed to be engrossed
- Taken out of the Orders of the Day
- Read, rules suspended, read second and ordered to a third reading
- Read third and passed to be engrossed
- Read second and ordered to a third reading
- Rules suspended
- Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
- Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
- Hearing rescheduled to 06/03/2026 from 11:00 AM-11:45 AM in B-2 Hearing updated to New End Time
- Hearing scheduled for 06/03/2026 from 11:00 AM-04:00 PM in B-2
- Senate concurred
Showing 12 most recent of 13 actions. Full history