Lawmakers in the Massachusetts House spent nearly $30,000 in political donations last month, during a trip to Cuba billed as an opportunity to learn about the island nation’s interest in biomedical research.

Specifically, lawmakers paid $28,566 to Marazul Tours, a New Jersey-based travel agency specializing in trips to Cuba. State Rep. Marjorie Decker, who led the trip, announced the plans a day before the 11 lawmakers’ trip to the island nation.

House Speaker Ron Mariano and state Reps. Mike Moran, Frank Moran, Mike Day, Mindy Domb, Ken Gordon, John Lawn, Aaron Michlewitz, Jeff Roy and Jenny Armini were scheduled to attend the trip, which began on November 15. return scheduled for Friday.

Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association President Steve Walsh and a Decker aide, Ryan Telingator, are also on the trip.

Massachusetts’ campaign finance rules are broad, allowing legislators to travel at their campaign expense provided they can demonstrate that it is for “the betterment of (their) political future” and not “primarily for personal use”.

In a statement, Decker said all expenses, including transportation, lodging and meals, would be paid by individual members or through their campaign accounts and that no third party would pay the costs associated with the trip.

In September and October, lawmakers spent just $45 on “agent fees,” up to $4,737.20 at the travel agency, according to campaign finance records.

The agency, Marazul Tourspresents itself as “the oldest and largest operating travel agency in Cuba”.

All legislators’ accounts did not show charges to Marazul, meaning they either paid their contributions without using their campaign accounts or were charged in November – the charges will not necessarily show up in the campaign finance records before the reporting period ends on December 5.

According to Decker, lawmakers were expected to meet with Cuban public officials, hospital staff and charities, such as Caritas Cuba, to discuss investments in health care, public health and disease, climate resilience and flooding, as well as than life sciences.

Prior to the visit, lawmakers were briefed by the U.S. Department of State and met with Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, who long advocated for better relations between the United States and Cuba.

The journey takes place in three major healthcare bills remains in limbo on Beacon Hill as the Legislature has yet to act on measures that would address hospital monitoringprescription drug prices and substance use disorders.

Before his trip to Cuba was announced, Mariano suggested he would take a post-election vacation.

“I have no intention of doing anything at the moment, other than maybe taking a few days off,” he said in response to questions about the contract change. voter-approved law governing legislative audits.

Documents from the State House News Service were used in this report.

Samantha J. Gross can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @samanthajgross.