This bill imposes a real estate transfer fee on residential property sales in Falmouth where the purchase price is $1 million or more. Sellers pay a graduated fee: 1% on amounts over $1 million up to $1.5 million, plus additional percentages for higher tiers (e.g., 1.5% on amounts over $1.5 million up to $2 million, and 2% above $2 million). All collected fees go directly to the Falmouth Affordable Housing Fund, which uses them for affordable housing projects. Exemptions include government transfers, family sales, charitable organizations, and properties under existing affordable housing restrictions. The fee applies to residential transfers only, with sellers required to submit documentation verifying the purchase price and fee amount.
Report of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (pursuant to Section 11 of Chapter 1 of the Acts of 2025) submitting its plan to phase out the use of hotels and motels for emergency housing assistance not later than December 31, 2025
HD 4652 requires the Executive Office of the Trial Court to submit a monthly report on eviction cases (summary process cases) involving permanent rental protections. The report must detail case filings, actions taken, and dispositions related to these protections. This procedural bill directly affects the Executive Office of the Trial Court by mandating regular data collection and submission to the legislature.
HD 1724 allows Massachusetts municipalities to create programs freezing property tax rates and valuations for qualifying elderly homeowners or disabled residents. It directly affects seniors aged 65+ (or disabled individuals, regardless of age) who own and live in their home as their primary residence, have lived in the town for 10 consecutive years, and meet income and asset limits set by the local government. Key provisions require applicants to submit proof by the annual deadline, with towns able to deny applications if assets exceed local thresholds. The tax freeze applies in addition to existing exemptions but does not remove properties from municipal tax rolls.
This bill (HD 164) allows towns to create a property tax cap for homeowners aged 65 or older who meet specific income and asset limits: $50,000 or less annual income for singles, $60,000 for married couples, and $75,000 in assets (excluding their primary home and one vehicle). Eligible homeowners would have their property tax recalculated annually based on their adjusted federal gross income (after excluding certain retirement distributions), with the lower of two calculated tax amounts applied each year. The cap applies only to qualifying properties and requires towns to adopt the provision under existing procedures. It directly affects low-income seniors in participating municipalities by limiting their property tax burden.
By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1014) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to establish a low-income sewer and water assistance program. Housing.
HD 3208 creates a tax credit for taxpayers developing air rights above MBTA parking areas, allowing them to reduce state taxes by up to $50 million annually for qualifying projects. It directly affects developers and property owners working with the MBTA on such developments. The bill also establishes the MBTA Capital Projects Fund, requiring all revenue from air rights leases on MBTA property to be deposited into this fund for use on MBTA capital projects. Funds in the account can be carried forward for future projects, with annual reporting to legislative committees.
HD 1713 (An Act regularizing water rates for tenants) clarifies how water costs are billed in buildings with submeters. It requires landlords to calculate tenant bills by multiplying each tenant’s individual water usage by the municipal rate, rather than basing it on the entire building’s total usage. The bill also explicitly states that landlords must cover any additional water costs resulting from municipal rate increases tied to the building’s overall water consumption. This directly affects tenants in multi-unit buildings with submeters and their landlords. The law ensures tenants pay only for their individual usage and shields them from rate hikes caused by the building’s total water demand.
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Colleen M. Garry for legislation to eliminate discrimination against municipalities who are unable to meet certain zoning requirements. Municipalities and Regional Government.
This bill allows cities and towns to impose a local tax on vacant residential units in buildings with six or more units that have been unoccupied for 90 consecutive days or newly constructed units not rented within 90 days of occupancy. The tax rate would be 12.5% of the last agreed rental rate or set by the municipality, requiring owners to register vacant units with the local tax office within 30 days. Exemptions apply for units undergoing active redevelopment, during military deployment, after significant medical events, inheritance, or title disputes. It directly affects property owners in qualifying multi-unit buildings, with the tax applying only if a municipality chooses to adopt the program.
