Budget & Taxes (Fees & Licensing)

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2025

HD 4313: An Act reducing limited liability company formation fees

HD 4313 reduces the filing fees for limited liability companies (LLCs) in the state by lowering two key costs. It cuts the fee for the initial certificate of organization from $500 to $150 and the annual report fee from $500 to $150. This directly affects all LLCs required to file these documents under current law. The bill makes no other changes to LLC requirements or fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces LLC formation and annual fees, providing direct tax relief for businesses, aligning with fiscal support for small business formation costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Fees & Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2242: An Act relative to housing in seasonal communities

This bill (SD 2242) creates new requirements for seasonal communities (like coastal towns) to increase year-round housing options. It requires developers building 10+ units to set aside 3 units as affordable housing or pay fees ($7,500-$15,000/unit), funds the "year-round housing trust fund" via a 1.5% restaurant meal tax surcharge, and changes zoning rules to allow smaller year-round housing units. Municipalities must adopt zoning that permits year-round housing as a right and adjust property taxes based on occupancy. These changes directly affect seasonal communities, developers, school districts, and year-round residents seeking affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 1.5% restaurant meal tax surcharge to fund year-round housing trust, directly advancing public service funding through new tax revenue.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 3 affordable units per 10+ developments, funds housing trust via meal tax, and changes zoning to expand year-round housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1930: An Act authorizing a local affordable housing surcharge

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1930) of William N. Brownsberger for legislation to authorize a local affordable housing surcharge. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes local tax surcharge (revenue source) specifically to fund affordable housing programs, directly advancing public service funding through taxation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes local surcharge revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing housing affordability goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2606: An Act providing for the establishment of sustainable water resource funds

HD 2606 allows cities, towns, water districts, and similar entities operating water or wastewater systems to collect fees based on increased water or sewer demand. These fees, calculated at 1-10 gallons per gallon of new demand, must fund specific environmental measures like stormwater treatment, water conservation, habitat restoration, and infrastructure improvements to offset water use impacts. Funds are held in separate accounts for drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater and can only be used for approved environmental projects or water conservation efforts. The bill requires fair fee structures (e.g., different rates for residential vs. commercial use) and permits entities to later revoke participation while directing remaining funds per the same rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates mandatory fees (1-10 gal/gal) to fund environmental programs via dedicated accounts, advancing fiscal management for sustainability.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds must be used for water conservation, habitat restoration, and stormwater treatment, directly advancing environmental protection95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Drinking Water Water Quality

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3873: An Act relative to transit expansion, electrification and resiliency

HD 3873 establishes new vehicle registration fees and surcharges in Massachusetts, directly affecting all vehicle owners and rental/parking businesses. It introduces a "Green Fee" based on vehicle type (e.g., $30 for standard cars, $15 for electric vehicles), an "Emissions Fee" of $0.001 per mile driven since the last inspection, and 5% surcharges on car rentals and parking. Revenue from these fees will fund the new "Transportation and Environment Equity Fund," which will support transportation and environmental projects. The bill does not create new transit infrastructure but instead modifies vehicle registration and inspection systems to generate dedicated funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new vehicle fees (Green/Emissions Fees, surcharges) to fund transportation projects, directly increasing tax revenue for public spending95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill includes lower Green Fee for EVs ($15 vs $30) and funds electrification/resiliency projects via Transportation and Environment Equity Fund, directly promoting renewable energy adoption.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentLower EV registration fees ($15 vs $30), emissions-based mileage fee, and dedicated 'Transportation and Environment Equity Fund' directly incentivize clean transportation and reduce emissions.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds transportation projects via Green Fee, Emissions Fee, and surcharges, directly supporting transit expansion, electrification, and resiliency as stated in bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1070: An Act to explore alternative funding sources to ensure safe and reliable transportation

This bill creates a task force to design and evaluate a pilot program testing a mileage-based user fee as an alternative to fuel taxes for Massachusetts' road funding. The task force, including transportation officials and appointed experts, will gather public input through six regional hearings and guide MassDOT in implementing a statewide pilot involving at least 1,000 volunteer drivers with mileage-tracking technology. The pilot will test the reliability, privacy protections, and cost-effectiveness of collecting fees based on miles driven, while reimbursing participants for fuel taxes to avoid financial burden. After a one-year pilot, MassDOT must report to the legislature within three years on the feasibility of a permanent mileage fee and its potential impacts on the economy, environment, and traffic.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes mileage-based fee as alternative to fuel taxes for transportation funding, promoting sustainable fiscal management and reliable road maintenance without increasing general taxation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill proposes mileage-based user fee pilot to fund road infrastructure, directly advancing transportation funding and safety through alternative revenue model.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Transportation Funding

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 11, 2026

H 177: An Act establishing a local transaction fee on cannabis sales

By Representative Soter of Bellingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 177) of Michael J. Soter relative to establishing a local transaction fee on cannabis sales. Cannabis Policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new local transaction fee on cannabis sales, generating tax revenue directly impacting state budget and taxation policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3166: An Act authorizing a local affordable housing surcharge

By Representative Livingstone of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3166) of Jay D. Livingstone for legislation to authorize cities and towns to impose a local affordable housing surcharge on certain real property. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes a local tax surcharge (revenue-generating) for affordable housing funding, directly increasing government tax collection for a specific budget purpose.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes local surcharge to fund affordable housing programs, directly advancing housing affordability through dedicated revenue generation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3312: An Act relative to insurer responsibility to the operating budgets of health care oversight entities

This bill requires healthcare entities - including hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and pharmacy benefit managers - to pay a surcharge toward funding two oversight bodies: the Health Policy Commission and the Center for Health Information and Analysis. The surcharge must be 30% to 40% of the state’s annual budget for these entities, minus revenues already collected from fees or federal funds. It specifies that payments must follow existing financial transfer rules (sections 64 and 66 of Chapter 118E) and cannot fall below established revenue thresholds. The bill directly affects covered healthcare providers and insurers by adding a new cost to their operating expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes mandatory 30-40% surcharge on healthcare entities to fund oversight bodies, directly increasing state revenue for fiscal management per bill's funding mechanism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires healthcare entities to fund oversight bodies via 30-40% surcharge, strengthening regulatory oversight and public health program support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Prescription Drugs

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1532: An Act authorizing a local affordable housing surcharge

HD 1532 authorizes cities and towns to impose a local surcharge of up to 2% on real estate taxes to fund affordable housing, but only after approval by a two-thirds vote of the local government and voter acceptance via ballot question. The surcharge applies to property taxes (not included in total tax calculations for certain limits) and funds must be deposited into an affordable housing trust. Exemptions include low-income housing, senior housing, commercial properties, and $100,000 per residential parcel. Cities may adjust the rate annually but cannot change it more than once per year, and funds remain dedicated to housing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes a local tax surcharge (up to 2%) on real estate to fund affordable housing, directly advancing public service funding through taxation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes 2% real estate surcharge to fund affordable housing via local trust, with exemptions for low-income housing. Directly funds housing programs per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Property Tax Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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