Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3435: An Act to grow and maintain space in cities and towns for the creative economy

HD 3435 establishes a Municipal Creative Space Trust Fund to help cities and towns preserve affordable spaces for artists and creative workers. The bill defines "creative space" as areas primarily used for artistic creation and practice (like studios or workshops) and "presentation space" for showcasing art, while allowing land use restrictions - such as resale price controls - to maintain affordability for low- and moderate-income artists. Municipalities can use zoning fees, private contributions, and general revenues to fund the trust, which may purchase, lease, or maintain properties meeting these definitions to support the local creative economy.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates Municipal Creative Space Trust Fund with price controls to preserve affordable spaces for low/moderate-income artists, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2941: An Act relative to local option zoning voting thresholds

This bill changes voting requirements for local zoning decisions in Massachusetts towns and cities. It allows municipalities to lower the voting threshold from a two-thirds majority to a simple majority for adopting or changing zoning ordinances, by-laws, or amendments. However, any switch to a simple majority vote must be approved by the current voting body and cannot take effect for six months after the vote. This directly affects town councils, city councils, and town meetings that make zoning decisions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLowers voting threshold for zoning changes, enabling faster adoption of housing development policies by municipalities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3548: An Act to establish a window falls prevention program within the Department of Public Health and mandate window guards in residential homes AKA "Zella Ray's Law"

This bill requires window guards in residential homes where children under six live on the third floor or higher, directly affecting landlords and homeowners in multi-story buildings. Landlords must install and provide window guards at no cost to tenants, with fines of $500-$1,000 for discrimination against renters. It establishes a Department of Public Health program to educate families about window fall risks and provide technical assistance for prevention. Violations, such as obstructing installations, can incur civil penalties up to $10,000.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates window guards at landlord cost with anti-discrimination fines, strengthening tenant protections per housing topic description.85% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2052: An Act relative to green jobs

This bill creates the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Authority and establishes the Massachusetts Green Jobs Loan Fund to provide loans for energy efficiency upgrades in residential, multi-family, and non-residential buildings. Repayment for these loans occurs through on-bill recovery charges added directly to customers' utility bills, with residential projects initially receiving at least half of the fund's resources. Utility companies must implement billing systems for these charges within 300 days, starting with a limit of 0.5% of their customers, and receive fees to cover program costs. The authority can adjust the customer cap or suspend the program if significant arrears or disconnections occur.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes Green Jobs Loan Fund for energy efficiency upgrades in buildings, prioritizing residential projects and enabling on-bill repayment via utilities, directly advancing energy efficiency infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates Green Jobs Loan Fund for energy efficiency upgrades in buildings, directly advancing environmental protection through reduced energy consumption and emissions.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds energy efficiency upgrades in residential/multi-family buildings, reducing tenant utility costs and prioritizing residential projects per bill summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3820: An Act to increase community preservation revenue

This bill adds a $80 surcharge to most property documents recorded by registers of deeds (and $40 for municipal lien certificates), with an extra $80 per additional reference to other documents. It exempts homestead declarations, public agency mortgages, and specific filings like sewer assessments. All surcharges fund the Massachusetts Community Preservation Trust Fund, supporting local housing and open space projects. The fee changes apply to individuals and businesses recording deeds, mortgages, or liens, but exclude certain government-related filings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes $80/$40 surcharges on property documents to fund community preservation programs, directly increasing revenue for public housing and open space projects.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill imposes surcharges funding the Community Preservation Trust Fund, explicitly supporting local housing projects per summary. No restrictions on housing policies noted.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3296: An Act relative to a capital gains tax credit for first time homebuyers

HD 3296 creates a refundable tax credit for Massachusetts first-time homebuyers who use capital gains from selling investments to cover their down payment. The credit amount equals the lesser of the capital gains tax owed on the sale or the down payment amount, directly benefiting eligible buyers. To qualify, the capital funds must be liquidated within 60 days before the property transfer. This bill specifically affects Massachusetts residents who haven't owned a home in the past three years and use investment proceeds for a primary residence down payment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers, offering tax relief to middle-income residents through capital gains-based credit.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers to cover down payments, directly advancing affordable housing access by reducing entry barriers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1724: An Act to provide municipalities with the option to freeze residential tax rate or valuation for the elderly with means tested criteria

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief for qualifying elderly/disabled homeowners by freezing rates/valuations, directly reducing tax burden per support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill freezes property taxes for elderly/disabled homeowners, preventing displacement and supporting housing stability for vulnerable seniors. Directly aligns with protecting property rights and affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 288: An Act ensuring domestic violence victims' protections for all employees in the Commonwealth

HD 288 creates new leave protections for contract workers (e.g., staffing agency employees) who are victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or kidnapping. It allows up to 15 days of unpaid leave per year for purposes like seeking medical care, legal help, court appearances, or securing housing related to the abuse. Employers must permit this leave but can decide if it’s paid, require documentation (such as a protective order or sworn statement from a professional), and must keep all related information confidential. The bill specifically excludes regular employees (covered under existing law) and requires contract workers to use other available leave first before taking this leave.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides leave for crime victims to access courts/legal aid, directly supporting victim engagement in criminal justice system per topic definition.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides leave for medical care related to domestic violence, improving access to healthcare services for victims.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly permits leave to secure housing for domestic violence victims, directly supporting housing access for vulnerable populations during crises.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates new leave protections for domestic violence victims, advancing worker safety and rights for vulnerable employees including contract workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime Gig Economy Labor Standards Paid Leave

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3106: An Act relative to senior tax exemptions

HD 3106 proposes expanding Boston's senior homeowner property tax exemption to provide greater relief for residents aged 65 and older. The bill would increase the exemption amount from $500 to $1,500, adjust income limits to 50% of Area Median Income (based on HUD data), and raise asset limits from $28,000/$30,000 to $80,000/$110,000. These changes aim to make the exemption more accessible for seniors on fixed incomes, as current enrollment is far below the estimated eligible population. The bill seeks state legislative approval to modify Boston's local tax rules under Massachusetts' home-rule provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands senior tax exemption by increasing relief amount and adjusting eligibility, providing targeted tax relief for fixed-income seniors per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands property tax exemptions for senior homeowners, reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for this group, directly supporting affordable housing policies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Homeownership Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4207: An Act addressing international real estate speculation

HD 4207 imposes a 15% fee on nonresident purchasers (individuals not U.S. citizens/nationals) buying real estate in Massachusetts cities or towns that adopt the law. The fee, paid by the buyer at closing, must be accompanied by an affidavit and certificate to clear title registration. Exemptions apply if the property is used as the buyer’s principal residence, and collected fees fund local affordable housing trust funds. Failure to pay incurs 14% annual interest and a 5% monthly penalty (capped at 25% of the fee).

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingImposes 15% fee on nonresident buyers to fund local affordable housing trust funds, directly advancing housing affordability through dedicated revenue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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