This bill establishes new contribution limits for campaign financing in Massachusetts. It caps individual contributions to a single candidate or their committee at $1,000 per election, to political party committees at $10,000 per election, and to other political committees at $1,000 per election - with no limit for ballot question committees. Government agents (e.g., legislators or executive employees) face lower limits of $200 per election for contributions to candidates or political committees. The limits will automatically adjust for inflation every two years starting in 2026, using the Boston area consumer price index, rounded to the nearest $50.
By Representative Day of Stoneham (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 817) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon relative to the disclosure of the political party offices' campaign contributions. Election Laws.
HD 112 requires groups and individuals spending over $250 on online political ads to report detailed information within 7 days, including the ad content, target demographics, top funders (up to five), and certification that U.S. citizens funded the ad. It applies to entities not classified as political committees, such as businesses or advocacy groups running internet-based electioneering communications. The bill mandates a public online archive where these reports, ads, and removal reasons (if applicable) will be accessible to the public. This aims to increase transparency around online political advertising funding and targeting.
This bill clarifies the jurisdiction of Massachusetts housing courts by updating how court divisions are defined geographically. It removes outdated descriptions of specific cities and counties (like "in the city of Boston" or "Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties") and replaces them with the phrase "within their respective" jurisdiction. The change streamlines the legal language without altering which courts handle housing cases in different regions.
This bill (SD 172) changes Massachusetts' Emergency Assistance shelter program rules. It prohibits individuals convicted or charged with violent felonies or sexual offenses (under Chapter 265) from continuing to receive shelter benefits while using the program, unless they get a written waiver from the program director. The key provision automatically blocks benefit eligibility for these individuals, removing a prior exception that allowed continued aid. This directly affects shelter users facing specific criminal charges under the state's violent crime statutes. The change takes effect immediately without requiring new legislation for each case.
This bill amends Chapter 55 of Massachusetts General Laws to clarify that Commonwealth employees cannot be prohibited from soliciting political contributions from fellow employees for union-organized political committees. It directly affects state employees represented by unions under Chapter 150E, allowing those unions to collect funds for committees focused on improving workplace conditions. The key provision removes a previous restriction, enabling unions to legally gather contributions from members for political committees that advocate for better employment terms. The change specifically permits this solicitation within the context of union-organized committees, not general political activity. The policy change is limited to how unions may fund political efforts related to employee representation.
This bill amends Massachusetts campaign finance law to set new annual contribution limits for individuals. It establishes a $500 yearly cap on total contributions to most political committees (replacing a previous unclear limit) and creates a separate $5,000 yearly cap for contributions to independent expenditure PACs (defined under Section 18A). The changes directly affect individual donors by clarifying and limiting how much they can give to these specific political groups each year. The bill does not alter existing limits for contributions to candidate committees or other designated entities. These are concrete policy changes to campaign finance rules, not procedural or commemorative measures.
By Representative Frost of Auburn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 826) of Paul K. Frost relative to candidates for public office reporting public assistance. Election Laws.
This Massachusetts bill (HD 2561) requires transparency in political text-based communications. It mandates that entities (like corporations or groups) sending SMS, MMS, or similar text messages for electioneering within 90 days of an election must include a disclosure statement identifying the paying entity, the phrase "Top Contributors," and listing the top 5 contributors who gave over $1,000 in the past year. Excluded from this requirement are news stories, messages to fewer than 100 people, membership communications, and email or internet ads not paid as advertisements. The disclosure must also include a link to the state's campaign finance website.
HD 1830 creates a payroll deduction system allowing Massachusetts employees to make voluntary, small regular contributions (minimum $2 per pay period) to political organizations or social welfare groups through their employers. It directly affects all Massachusetts employees who wish to contribute, particularly low-income residents facing financial barriers to political participation. The bill requires written authorization for each contribution (valid for 6 months), limits contributions to two organizations per employee, and mandates employers to process deductions with a reasonable administrative fee. Covered organizations must be certified by the Attorney General and obtain authorization from at least 10 residents. The law applies to all employers, including state government entities, without altering existing collective bargaining agreements.
HD 984 prohibits "foreign-influenced corporations" from making political expenditures, including independent spending, contributions to PACs, or ads on ballot measures. It directly affects for-profit entities where foreign owners hold significant stakes (1%+ single owner or 5%+ aggregate) or foreign entities influence political decisions. The bill requires corporations making such spending to file a CEO-certified statement within 7 days confirming they are not foreign-influenced, and mandates that ads using funds from such corporations include a disclosure: "Some of the funds used to pay for this message may have been provided by foreign-influenced corporations." These provisions aim to limit foreign influence in U.S. political activities through direct spending bans and mandatory transparency.
HD 2216 allows cities and towns to create citizen-funded election campaign programs for municipal offices. It establishes a "Democracy Trust Fund" managed by the city clerk, which matches small donations ($10 or more from registered voters) with double the amount, up to a set limit. Candidates must receive a set number of qualifying small donations and agree to spending limits per campaign cycle. This directly affects local candidates and voters in communities that adopt the program through charter changes or local ordinances, aiming to increase participation from residents who cannot raise large donations.
