Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Massachusetts
Bruce Tarr
Republican · Senator

Bruce Tarr

Represents District First Essex and Middlesex in the State Senate.

Official site ↗ Email
Votes with Republicans
86%
on 72 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 96%
Cast a vote
100%
Yea or Nay on 217 of 217 roll calls · Senate median 100%
Their bills that became law
5 of 188
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 5
Roll calls on record
217
194th General Court
Votes and bills updated Oct 10, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 194th General Court.

How Bruce Tarr votes

A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.

Where Bruce Tarr sits in the Senate

Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Bruce Tarr is circled.

Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party

10 of 72 party-line votes.

H5470 · Making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects
Yea
Senate Committee of conference report accepted, in concurrence Roll Call #188 · 2026-06-04 · Passed 37–3 · most Republicans voted the other way
H5316 · Promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment
Yea
Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #158 · 2026-05-07 · Passed 37–3 · most Republicans voted the other way
S3064 · To build resilience for Massachusetts communities
Yea
Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #152 · 2026-04-15 · Passed 36–3 · most Republicans voted the other way
H4692 · Resolutions rescinding previous Article V Convention applications
Yea
Senate Adopted Roll Call #106 · 2025-11-19 · Passed 34–4 · most Republicans voted the other way
S2726 · Regarding free expression
Yea
Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #104 · 2025-11-13 · Passed 35–3 · most Republicans voted the other way
S2696 · Regarding free expression
Yea
Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #104 · 2025-11-13 · Passed 35–3 · most Republicans voted the other way
H4240 · Making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions and certain activities of the Commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements
Yea
Senate Item 4000-0051 passed over veto Roll Call #78 · 2025-10-23 · Passed 35–3 · most Republicans voted the other way
S2543 · Strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth
Yea
Senate Enacted Roll Call #68 · 2025-07-31 · Passed 37–3 · most Republicans voted the other way
S2543 · Strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth
Yea
Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #57 · 2025-06-26 · Passed 37–3 · most Republicans voted the other way
S2543 · Strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth
Yea
Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #57 · 2025-06-26 · Passed 37–3 · most Republicans voted the other way
Closest votes they cast

Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.

S16 · Site Information & Links
Yea
Senate Amendment #14 · 2025-02-12 · Failed 12–26
S2722 · Site Information & Links
Yea
Senate Amendment #9 · 2025-11-19 · Failed 11–26
S3 · Site Information & Links
Yea
Senate Amendment #924 · 2025-05-22 · Failed 12–28
S3072 · Site Information & Links
Yea
Senate Amendment #67 · 2026-05-07 · Failed 10–29
S15 · Proposed Joint Rules for the Senate and House of Representatives for the 2025-2026 Legislative Session.
Yea
Senate Amendment #22 · 2025-02-12 · Failed 9–29
Democrats they vote with most

Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.

Mark MontignyDemocrat · District Second Bristol and Plymouth · 62 shared contested votes
32%
John KeenanDemocrat · District Norfolk and Plymouth · 62 shared contested votes
27%
Mike MooreDemocrat · District Second Worcester · 62 shared contested votes
21%
Their session, month by month

Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (0 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.

2025-02: 23 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-05: 24 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-06: 10 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-07: 10 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-09: 4 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-10: 23 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-11: 25 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2026-01: 20 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2026-02: 10 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2026-03: 3 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2026-04: 10 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2026-05: 16 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2026-06: 8 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2026-07: 31 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or NayFeb 2025Jan 2026Jul 2026
← Massachusetts Delegation
Their bills, from filing to law

Bills Bruce Tarr was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.

Introduced188
Out of committee11
Passed one chamber7
Passed both chambers5
Became law5
Never left committee177

For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 5 bills that became law this session.

Authorizing the town of Topsfield to convert 4 licenses for sale of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises to 4 licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises and to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages in the containers less than 200 milliliters
For legislation to authorize the town of Topsfield to convert 4 licenses for sale of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises to 4 licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises and to…
Became lawSigned by the Governor, Chapter 211 of the Acts of 2026 · 2026-09-10
Relative to unemployment insurance
For legislation relative to unemployment insurance. Labor and Workforce Development.
Not out of committeeAccompanied a study order (under JR10), see S3256 · 2026-08-13
Empowering law enforcement to cooperate with the United States to transfer custody of convicted criminals
For legislation to empower law enforcement to cooperate with the United States to transfer custody of convicted criminals. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Not out of committeeAccompanied a study order (under JR10), see S3259 · 2026-08-13
To restrict the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides in Newbury
For legislation to restrict the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides in the town of Newbury. Environment and Natural Resources. [Local Approval Received.]
Not out of committeeBill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling · 2026-08-06
To amend the town charter of Ipswich
For legislation to amend the town charter of Ipswich. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]
Out of committeeBill reported favorably by committee and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session · 2026-08-04
To improve long-term care staffing and dignity for caregivers
For legislation to improve long-term care staffing and dignity for caregivers through training, tuition reimbursements, tax credits and other programs. Revenue.
Not out of committeeDischarged to the committee on House Rules · 2026-07-27
Site Information & Links
Not out of committeeSee S3178 · 2026-07-23
Relative to the taxation of rolling stock
For legislation relative to the taxation of rolling stock. Revenue.
Not out of committeeAccompanied a study order, see H5596 · 2026-07-23
Relative to commercial renewable investments
For legislation relative to energy tax credits for corporations. Revenue.
Not out of committeeAccompanied a study order, see H5596 · 2026-07-23
Relative to exempting certain medical supplies from the state sales tax
For legislation to exempt certain medical supplies from the state sales tax. Revenue.
Not out of committeeAccompanied a study order, see H5596 · 2026-07-23
Relative to providing direct relief to the residents of the commonwealth by increasing the threshold on no tax status
For legislation relative to provide direct relief to the residents of the commonwealth by increasing the threshold on no tax status. Revenue.
Not out of committeeAccompanied a study order, see H5596 · 2026-07-23
Relative to the taxation of rolling stock for trucking and railcars
For legislation relative to the taxation of rolling stock for trucking and railcars. Revenue.
Not out of committeeAccompanied a study order, see H5596 · 2026-07-23
Relative to modernizing the estate tax
For legislation relative to modernizing the estate tax. Revenue.
Not out of committeeAccompanied a study order, see H5596 · 2026-07-23
Relative to the short term capital gains rate to make Massachusetts more competitive
For legislation relative to the short term capital gains rate to make Massachusetts more competitive. Revenue.
Not out of committeeAccompanied a study order, see H5596 · 2026-07-23
Relative to the creation of a super research and development tax credit
For legislation to create a super research and development tax credit. Revenue.
Not out of committeeAccompanied a study order, see H5596 · 2026-07-23

Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.

Loading committees…
H5629 · 2026-07-31
Enhancing child welfare protections (Senate Committee of conference report accepted, in concurrence Roll Call #229)
Passed · 40-0
Yea
S3236 · 2026-07-31
Authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game to convey easements over certain parcels of land (Senate Enacted Roll Call #235)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S3237 · 2026-07-31
Authorizing the town of Bourne to convey a right-of-way and easement (Senate Enacted Roll Call #238)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5627 · 2026-07-31
To improve Massachusetts home care (Senate Committee of conference report accepted, in concurrence Roll Call #228)
Passed · 40-0
Yea
S3235 · 2026-07-31
Relative to the Pilgrim Memorial Park in Plymouth (Senate Enacted Roll Call #234)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5531 · 2026-07-31
Relative to James J. O'Neil Park (Senate Enacted Roll Call #230)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5639 · 2026-07-31
Authorizing the town of Nantucket conservation commission to convey a certain parcel of land situated in the town for purposes of conveyance to the town of Nantucket under the care, custody, management and control of the select board and the town of Nantucket to convey certain land in the town of Nantucket held for open space, passive recreation or conservation purposes to the Nantucket Islands Land Bank for the purposes pursuant to its enabling legislation for open space, conservation and passive recreation purposes (Senate Enacted Roll Call #231)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S2968 · 2026-07-31
Authorizing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acting by and through its Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, to grant permanent easements over certain land in the town of Milton for highway purposes (Senate Enacted Roll Call #236)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5640 · 2026-07-31
Authorizing the town of Hingham to grant to the commonwealth of Massachusetts certain parcels of land in the town of Hingham for highway purposes (Senate Enacted Roll Call #232)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S3188 · 2026-07-31
Authorizing the Buzzards Bay Water District to convey non-exclusive easements over a certain parcel of land (Senate Enacted Roll Call #233)
Passed · 38-1
Yea
S3230 · 2026-07-31
Authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to acquire interests in certain portions of land owned by the town of Andover which were acquired by the town for Article XCVII purposes (Senate Enacted Roll Call #237)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5463 · 2026-07-30
Relative to a conservation restriction in the town of Middleton (Senate Enacted Roll Call #223)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5379 · 2026-07-30
Relating to the transfer of interest in land in West Brookfield (Senate Enacted Roll Call #220)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5492 · 2026-07-30
Authorizing the town of Billerica to transfer control of certain land in the town of Billerica for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path (Senate Enacted Roll Call #225)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S3200 · 2026-07-30
Site Information & Links (Senate Amendment #17)
Passed · 40-0
Yea
S3200 · 2026-07-30
Site Information & Links (Senate Amendment #18)
Failed · 6-33
Yea
H5614 · 2026-07-30
Authorizing the release or exclusion of certain land from conservation restrictions in the town of Deerfield (Senate Enacted Roll Call #226)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5561 · 2026-07-30
Authorizing the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to transfer certain parcels of land in the town of Norton (Senate Enacted Roll Call #221)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5469 · 2026-07-30
Promoting transparency and public access in state government (Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #217)
Passed · 34-6
Nay
H5616 · 2026-07-30
Authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to take easements over certain land located in the city of Woburn and the town of Burlington held in trust by the city of Boston for the Mary P. C. Cummings Testamentary Trust for highway purposes (Senate Enacted Roll Call #227)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S3160 · 2026-07-30
Relative to the dissolution of the Holmes Park Water District (Senate Enacted Roll Call #219)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5467 · 2026-07-30
Authorizing the transfer of certain parcels of land in the town of Weston from the Weston conservation commission to the select board (Senate Enacted Roll Call #224)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H4992 · 2026-07-30
Authorizing the Barnstable county and the town of Bourne to convey certain parcels of land and certain interests in land in the town of Bourne (Senate Enacted Roll Call #222)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S3052 · 2026-07-30
Authorizing the town of Dighton to use a portion of conservation land for public way purposes. (Senate Enacted Roll Call #218)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5388 · 2026-07-22
Authorizing the transfer of a certain parcel of land in the town of Marion from the Open Space Acquisition Commission to the Select Board (Senate Enacted Roll Call #209)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S2735 · 2026-07-22
Dissolving the North Carver water district (Senate Enacted Roll Call #208)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H2250 · 2026-07-16
Dissolving the Whately Water District (Senate Enacted Roll Call #207)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S3175 · 2026-07-09
Protecting children from addictive social media feeds (Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #206)
Passed · 38-2
Yea
S3162 · 2026-07-01
To improve outdoor lighting, conserve energy, and increase dark-sky visibility (Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #198)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5175 · 2026-07-01
Relative to energy affordability, clean power and economic competitiveness (Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #205)
Passed · 32-8
Nay
H5555 · 2026-07-01
Making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements (Senate Enacted Roll Call #200)
Passed · 39-1
Yea
H5511 · 2026-06-18
Relative to teacher preparation and student literacy (Senate Enacted and laid before the Governor Roll Call #195)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S3141 · 2026-06-18
Relative to primary care for you (Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #197)
Passed · 35-4
Nay
H4646 · 2026-06-11
Enhancing child welfare protections (Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #192)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5470 · 2026-06-04
Making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects (Senate Committee of conference report accepted, in concurrence Roll Call #188)
Passed · 37-3
Yea
H4361 · 2026-06-04
Relative to benefits for teachers (Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #187)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H5375 · 2026-06-04
Financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges (Senate Enacted Roll Call #191)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S2963 · 2026-06-04
Authorizing the town of Milton to use certain land acquired for conservation purposes for school purposes (Senate Enacted Roll Call #189)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
H4843 · 2026-06-04
Providing for the exchange of certain park land in the town of Lexington (Senate Enacted Roll Call #190)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S3104 · 2026-05-28
RESOLUTIONS RESPONDING TO THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT’S ORDER OF MAY 7, 2026, AND ENHANCING GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY (Senate Adopted Roll Call #186)
Passed · 33-6
Nay
H5501 · 2026-05-21
Making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements (Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #185)
Passed · 40-0
Yea
H5317 · 2026-05-20
Authorizing the grant of easements in or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston (Senate Enacted and laid before the Governor Roll Call #175)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S4 · 2026-05-19
Site Information & Links (Senate Amendment #423)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S4 · 2026-05-19
Site Information & Links (Senate Amendment #179)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S4 · 2026-05-19
Site Information & Links (Senate Amendment #426)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S4 · 2026-05-19
Site Information & Links (Senate Amendment #530)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S4 · 2026-05-19
Site Information & Links (Senate Amendment #511)
Passed · 39-0
Yea
S3083 · 2026-05-07
Order relative to requesting the opinions of the Honorable Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court on important questions of law relative to promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment (Senate Motion)
Failed · 5-35
Yea
S3072 · 2026-05-07
Site Information & Links (Senate Amendment #59)
Failed · 5-34 · 2 roll calls that day, voted the same way on each
Yea
S3072 · 2026-05-07
Site Information & Links (Senate Amendment #63)
Failed · 7-32 · 2 roll calls that day, voted the same way on each
Yea
S3072 · 2026-05-07
Site Information & Links (Senate Amendment #67)
Failed · 10-29 · 2 roll calls that day, voted the same way on each
Yea
H5316 · 2026-05-07
Promoting rule of law, oversight, trust and equal constitutional treatment (Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #158)
Passed · 37-3
Yea
S3050 · 2026-04-15
To build resilience for Massachusetts communities (Senate Amendment #1)
Passed · 39-0 · 2 roll calls that day, voted the same way on each
Yea
S3050 · 2026-04-15
To build resilience for Massachusetts communities (Senate Amendment #2)
Passed · 38-0 · 2 roll calls that day, voted the same way on each
Yea
S3064 · 2026-04-15
To build resilience for Massachusetts communities (Senate Passed to be engrossed Roll Call #152)
Passed · 36-3
Yea
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 217 total roll-call votes this session).
Voting data provided by LegiScan, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Capitol Office
📍Room 308, State House 24 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02133
Official Links
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