Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 3136: An Act relative to private school land use

By Representative Howitt of Seekonk, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3136) of Steven S. Howitt relative to payments in lieu of tax settlements for certain out of state educational entities. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes revenue payments from out-of-state educational entities instead of taxes, directly contributing to state budget through mandatory settlements.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 3209: An Act modernizing workforce opportunities for older workers

By Representative Peisch of Wellesley, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3209) of Alice Hanlon Peisch relative to workforce opportunities for older workers and the establishment of a tax credit for certain age-friendly employers. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax credit for age-friendly employers, providing tax relief to incentivize hiring older workers, directly impacting tax policy.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentTax credit for age-friendly employers directly advances workforce opportunities for older workers, strengthening employment standards per bill's purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4988: An Act authorizing the town of Charlemont to establish a tax on commercial recreation services

HD 4988 authorizes the town of Charlemont to impose a 3% tax on fees for commercial recreation services, such as skiing, ziplining, rafting, and mountain biking, provided by businesses operating within the town. Vendors must charge this tax separately from the service price and submit monthly reports to the town collector detailing total sales and tax collected. The town can enforce payment through penalties for late filings or payments, interest on overdue amounts, and liens on vendors' property for unpaid taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes new 3% tax on commercial recreation, generating local revenue for town budget through mandatory vendor reporting and enforcement.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3463: An Act to restore the environmental fund

By Representative Ciccolo of Lexington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3463) of Michelle L. Ciccolo for legislation to restore the clean environmental fund using revenue from unclaimed bottle deposits. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRestores environmental fund using unclaimed bottle deposit revenue, directly funding a program via existing budget streams.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestores clean environmental fund using bottle deposit revenue, directly funding environmental protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

H 4420: An Act to address the impact of climate change on farms and fisheries

H 4420 creates the Agriculture and Fishery Vulnerability Preparedness Grant Fund to help Massachusetts farms and fisheries prepare for climate change impacts. The fund, managed by state agricultural and fishery departments, provides grants for climate resilience projects like energy-efficient farming, climate-resilient infrastructure, and data collection. It also supports technical assistance to help applicants plan and secure funding for these initiatives. Grants are awarded based on sector and regional needs, with quarterly reports tracking applicants, recipients, funding amounts, and administrative costs to state legislative committees. The fund permanently retains unspent money, ensuring ongoing support without annual re-appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new state grant fund (Agriculture and Fishery Vulnerability Preparedness Grant Fund) using budget resources to fund climate resilience projects, directly allocating state appropriations for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly funds energy-efficient farming projects through the grant program, directly advancing energy efficiency in agriculture as part of climate resilience initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates grant fund for climate resilience projects in agriculture/fisheries, directly supporting environmental adaptation and protection through funding for climate-resilient infrastructure and data collection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 29, 2026

S 1956: An Act to incentivize employer-provided childcare

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1956) of Sal N. DiDomenico relative to employer-provided childcare tax credits. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits for employer childcare, directly advancing tax policy incentives under fiscal management and revenue topics.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncentivizes employer childcare benefits, supporting work-life balance and worker retention - key labor support indicators.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 5191: An Act establishing a real estate transfer fee upon the transfer of property in the town of Arlington

HD 5191 establishes a real estate transfer fee for property sales in Arlington, applicable to transactions exceeding 50-150% of the state median home price. The fee, ranging from 0.05% to 2% of the sale price, would be paid by buyers, sellers, or both (determined by town meeting) and collected for the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The bill includes exemptions for gifts between family members, government transfers, affordable housing units, and foreclosures, among others. Specific fee rates and thresholds will be set by Arlington's town meeting following select board recommendations. All revenue must fund affordable housing programs, with annual reports tracking fund usage and impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a real estate transfer fee (0.05%-2%) to fund the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund, directly allocating tax revenue to support housing affordability programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund via transfer fees on property sales, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 2, 2026

H 3967: An Act relative to amending the Community Preservation Act to include an extra percentage surcharge for accessibility

By Representative Flanagan of Dennis, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3967) of Christopher Richard Flanagan for legislation to further regulate surcharges on real property. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes real property surcharge to fund accessibility projects under Community Preservation Act, generating dedicated revenue for public service.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends Community Preservation Act (housing-focused) to add accessibility surcharge, advancing housing accessibility standards under preservation framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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signed · Massachusetts · House Aug 26, 2026

H 4444: An Act relative to a real property exemption for disabled persons in the town of Swampscott

By Representative Armini of Marblehead and Senator Crighton, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4444) of Jennifer Balinsky Armini and Brendan P. Crighton (by vote of the town) relative to a real property exemption for disabled persons in the town of Swampscott. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for disabled residents, reducing their tax burden and aligning with tax relief indicators for lower-income groups.85% confidence

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3564: An Act relative to the assisted living programs

HD 3564 allows assisted living programs to access Tax Increment Financing (TIF) through the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council. This change enables municipalities to offer targeted tax-based incentives to support job-creating development in assisted living facilities. The bill directly affects assisted living providers and local governments by expanding their funding options for facility development. It modifies existing eligibility rules to make these incentives available for assisted living programs, overriding prior restrictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows assisted living programs to access TIF tax incentives, expanding municipal tax-based funding options for facility development and job creation.95% confidence

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