Budget & Taxes (Revenue)

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 20, 2026

SD 4122: Fiscal Year 2026 Excess Capital Gains Tax Revenue Transfers to the Stabilization Fund, the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund, and the Pension Liability Fund

Report from the Office of the Comptroller (pursuant to Section 5G of Chapter 29 of the General Laws and Section 117 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting its fiscal year 2026 capital gains tax revenue transfers to the Stabilization Fund, the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund, and the Pension Liability Fund

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill transfers excess tax revenue to stabilization and pension funds, strengthening fiscal reserves and protecting long-term government obligations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Pensions Revenue

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 1, 2026

SD 4027: Fiscal Year 2026, Q3 Capital Gains Tax Revenue Transfers to the Stabilization Fund, the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund, and the Pension Liability Fund

Report of the Office of the Comptroller (pursuant to Section 5G of Chapter 29 of the General Laws) submitting its fiscal year 2026 third quarter capital gains tax revenue transfers to the Stabilization Fund, the State Retiree Benefit Trust Fund, and the Pension Liability Fund report.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill transfers capital gains tax revenue to state funds, strengthening fiscal management and funding essential programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Pensions Revenue

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Jul 20, 2026

HD 5832: A communication from the Office of the Comptroller (see Section 5G of Chapter 29 of the General Laws) submitting the Capital Gains Tax Revenue Transfers to the Stabilization Fund, the State Retiree Trust Fund, and the Pension Liability Fund for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026

This bill directs the Office of the Comptroller to transfer capital gains tax revenue collected in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026 into three specific state funds. The legislation specifies that 90% of these funds will go to the Pension Liability Fund, while the remaining 5% will be split between the Stabilization Fund and the State Retiree Trust Fund. This action implements a financial allocation plan for state retirement and stabilization resources without altering the underlying tax laws or creating new programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs capital gains tax revenue to state retirement and stabilization funds, ensuring fiscal responsibility and funding essential programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Pensions Revenue

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introduced · Massachusetts · House May 7, 2026

H 5415: MINORITY REPORT ON THE INITIATIVE PETITION OF CHRISTOPHER ROBERT ANDERSON AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT RELATIVE TO LIMITING STATE TAX COLLECTION GROWTH AND RETURNING SURPLUSES TO TAXPAYERS (SEE HOUSE, NO. 5006); AND THE INITIATIVE PETITION OF JAMES JOHN STERGIOS AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT RELATIVE TO REDUCING THE STATE PERSONAL INCOME TAX RATE FROM 5% TO 4%. (SEE HOUSE, NO. 5007)

This document is a minority report recommending the adoption of two tax-related bills, one of which would lower the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% and the other would cap the growth of state tax collections to return surpluses to taxpayers. The report argues that these measures would provide financial relief to Massachusetts families and help address the state's high cost of living and out-migration issues. While the text advocates for the bills, the specific policy changes involve reducing the income tax percentage and establishing a limit on how much state revenue can increase annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes lowering income tax rates and capping tax growth to return surpluses, directly advancing tax relief and fiscal responsibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Revenue

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 7, 2026

H 5006: An Act relative to limiting state tax collection growth and returning surpluses to taxpayers

This bill would limit Massachusetts' annual state tax collections by capping growth at a set rate calculated using a "growth factor" applied to prior year revenues. If actual tax collections exceed this calculated cap, the surplus would be returned directly to taxpayers. It defines "state tax revenues" broadly to include income, sales, and business taxes (but excludes federal funds, bond proceeds, and tuition fees). These rules would apply to fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2027. The bill amends existing tax law to implement this cap-and-return mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill caps tax growth and returns excess to taxpayers, providing direct tax relief per its explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue State Budget

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 7, 2026

H 5005: An Act to protect water and nature

H 5005 creates the "Nature for All Fund" to support natural resource conservation, funded by 50% of tax revenue from sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and golf courses (after deducting existing tax transfers). The fund will finance projects like protecting drinking water sources, restoring biodiversity, expanding parks in underserved neighborhoods, and preserving lands of indigenous cultural significance. A 15-member board, including public representatives from underserved communities and conservation experts, will oversee spending and ensure alignment with environmental justice principles. Annual reports will track how much funding supports conservation in areas designated as environmental justice populations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 50% of existing tax revenue from specific industries to fund conservation projects, advancing fiscal management for environmental programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Nature for All Fund to finance water protection, biodiversity restoration, and indigenous land preservation - directly advances environmental conservation through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Conservation Drinking Water Parks & Recreation

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2393: An Act relative to internet gaming

This bill (HD 2393) proposes establishing a regulated framework for internet gaming in Massachusetts. It would authorize the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to license a limited number of operators to offer online casino-style games (like poker, slots, and blackjack) via secure platforms on devices like smartphones or computers. The bill requires that internet gaming operations be connected to physical casinos to support tourism and state revenue, with all licensed operators subject to strict regulation. It defines key terms like "internet gaming" and "adjusted gross revenue" to clarify how the system would operate and generate state income.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new state revenue stream through regulated online gaming licensing and taxes, explicitly stating 'support tourism and state revenue' in summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1576: An Act relative to embarkation fees

This bill imposes a $2.00 embarkation fee per passenger on all ferry trips (except those with <100 passengers) departing from ports in Barnstable, Nantucket, Dukes, or Bristol counties. Ferry operators must pay these fees quarterly to the state revenue commissioner, who distributes the funds: 62.5% to the city/town operating the port, 25% to fire districts serving port areas, and 12.5% to neighboring towns sharing harbors. Exemptions apply to passengers with valid commuter, student, or school-related ferry fares. The collected funds must be deposited into special accounts for local harbor operations, public safety, or infrastructure improvements directly related to ferry service impacts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes $2 embarkation fee (new tax), directs 62.5% to port cities/fire districts, funding local services per distribution rules.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill imposes ferry embarkation fee to fund port operations (62.5%), fire districts (25%), and neighboring towns (12.5%), directly supporting transportation infrastructure and public transit operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Ports

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1348: An Act fostering intercity passenger rail service

This bill establishes a dedicated "InterCity Regional Passenger Rail Fund" to finance passenger rail expansion across Massachusetts, starting with the Route 2 Corridor. It directly affects the state's Executive Office of Transportation and Region D gaming licensees by redirecting 100% of Category 1 gaming tax revenue from Region D (Ashburnham, Fitchburg, Leominster, Lunenburg, Westminster) into this rail fund. The fund will cover rail project costs like contracts, services, and bond debt for state rail improvements. Gaming revenue for this purpose comes from a newly created "New Gaming Revenue Fund" holding 25% of gross gaming revenues from Region D operations. The bill does not alter existing gaming license requirements beyond the new 70-acre site rule for Region D.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 100% of Region D gaming tax revenue to fund rail projects, directly allocating state tax revenue toward transportation infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates dedicated fund to finance passenger rail expansion, directly funding public transit infrastructure projects through redirected gaming tax revenue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Rail

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2951: An Act to restore the environmental fund

This bill, HD 2951, changes how certain environmental fees are managed in Massachusetts. It directs the first $70 million in annual fees collected by the state revenue commissioner into the General Fund, while all additional fees go to a newly established "Clean Environment Fund." The fund must be used for solid waste management, environmental protection, and climate change projects (excluding incineration costs), with at least 40% allocated to recycling and waste reduction programs. It also requires 10% more for recycling initiatives and caps non-waste programs at 50% of the fund's total. The bill directly affects state budgeting for environmental programs and funding priorities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects environmental fees to dedicated fund for environmental projects, aligning with funding essential programs under Budget & Taxes.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects additional fees to Clean Environment Fund for waste management, protection, climate projects, with 40% for recycling - explicitly funds environmental priorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Climate Change Recycling Waste Management

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