H 5569 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relative to property tax classifications in the city of Watertown for fiscal year 2027 and subsequent fiscal years

This bill changes how property taxes are calculated for residential properties in Watertown starting in fiscal year 2027. It requires the city to adjust its tax formula so that the minimum residential tax rate is set at 50 percent, unless a higher rate is needed to keep total taxes within a specific limit. The law ensures that the overall tax burden on all property types does not exceed 175 percent of the property's full cash value. This change directly affects homeowners and other property owners in Watertown by altering the specific rates used to determine their annual tax bills.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jul 2026
Committee Review
Jul 2026
House Passage
Jul 2026
Senate Passage
Jul 2026
Signed into Law
Jul 2026
Introduced Jul 8, 2026 Signed Jul 31, 2026
Floor votes · House Jul 8, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
6
Committee
1
Jul 31, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor, Chapter 157 of the Acts of 2026
executive
Jul 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Enacted and laid before the Governor
upper
Jul 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Enacted
lower
Jul 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third (title changed) and passed to be engrossed
upper
Jul 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed to be engrossed - 150 YEAS to 0 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 225 )
lower
Jul 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
0 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.