Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2297: An Act relative to protecting municipalities from unfunded mandates

By Representatives Kane of Shrewsbury and Arciero of Westford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2297) of Hannah Kane, James Arciero and others for legislation to require that fiscal notes be attached to legislation providing unfunded mandates on municipal governments. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires fiscal notes for unfunded mandates, preventing municipal budget strain and promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 13, 2025

H 3130: An Act to promote urban agriculture and horticulture

By Representatives Howard of Lowell and Kane of Shrewsbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3130) of Vanna Howard, Hannah Kane and others for legislation to promote urban agriculture and horticulture by providing for certain tax exemptions. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemptions for urban agriculture, directly implementing a fiscal policy tool to advance a specific sector through revenue impact.95% confidence

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signed · Massachusetts · House Feb 19, 2026

H 3026: An Act allowing the town of Williamstown to expand financial eligibility for senior property tax exemption

By Representative Barrett of North Adams, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3026) of John Barrett, III (by vote of the town) that the town of Williamstown be authorized to expand financial eligibility for the senior property tax exemption. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands senior property tax exemption eligibility, providing tax relief for lower-income seniors through broader financial qualifications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 1944: An Act relative to the exemption of private pension income from taxation

By Mr. Crighton (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1944) of Thomas Egan and Sean Reid for legislation to exempt private pension income from taxation. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts private pension income from taxation, providing tax relief for retirees, aligning with support indicators for middle/lower income tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3150: An Act relative to expanding 529 deductions

By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3150) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others relative to increasing college savings plan deductions. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deductions for 529 college savings plans, providing tax relief for families saving for education costs.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3137: An Act relative to Title 5 income tax credit reform

By Representative Howitt of Seekonk, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3137) of Steven S. Howitt relative to Title V income tax credit reform of financial aid for homeowners who have incurred costs for the repair or replacement of failed septic systems. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReforms income tax credits for homeowners, providing tax relief for septic system repairs, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3251: An Act to exclude tipped wages from taxable income

By Representative Soter of Bellingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3251) of Michael J. Soter and others for legislation relative to exclude tipped wages from taxable income. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes tipped wages from taxable income, providing tax relief for lower-income service workers by reducing their tax burden.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 354: An Act relative to rate fairness for water and sewer ratepayers under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

This bill requires cities and towns providing water or sewer services under the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to undergo regular audits. Every three years, the State Auditor must review these municipalities' billing practices to ensure costs charged to ratepayers directly relate to water/sewer services, not unrelated municipal work. The audit specifically checks whether most staff time and expenses (like chargebacks) are tied to water/sewer operations. This aims to increase transparency and fairness in how service costs are calculated for ratepayers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires audits to ensure water/sewer billing costs directly relate to services, promoting fiscal responsibility and preventing misallocation of municipal funds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 393: An Act relative to tax exemptions for contributions to a 401(k) through a sole proprietorship

This bill (HD 393) amends Massachusetts tax law to remove a specific tax exemption for sole proprietors who contribute to 401(k) retirement plans through their business. It directly affects self-employed individuals operating as sole proprietors in Massachusetts. The change eliminates the existing tax exemption (previously provided under subparagraph D of section 2 of chapter 62) for these contributions, meaning such contributions would no longer qualify for the same tax benefit. The bill modifies the state's tax code to adjust this provision for sole proprietorship 401(k) contributions.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRemoves tax exemption for sole proprietors' 401(k) contributions, increasing taxable income for self-employed individuals. Direct tax policy change reducing tax benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 486: An Act protecting students and increasing accountability at Massachusetts colleges and universities

This bill requires Massachusetts colleges and universities receiving state financial aid to meet specific accountability standards to continue receiving student scholarships. Institutions must either achieve a 30% undergraduate graduation rate within 150% of expected time (including transfer students) or maintain a 3-year student loan default rate of 20% or lower, based on federal data. The Board of Higher Education will annually determine which schools meet these criteria, publish a compliance list online, and establish appeal processes for institutions that fail to meet standards. This directly affects all public and private colleges in Massachusetts that accept state scholarship funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTies state financial aid to accountability standards, promoting fiscal responsibility in government spending on higher education.85% confidence

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