By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 185) of Pavel M. Payano, Vanna Howard and John F. Keenan for legislation to promote school centered neighborhood development. Community Development and Small Businesses.
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2033) of Jason M. Lewis, Liz Miranda, Paul W. Mark, Carmine Lawrence Gentile and other members of the General Court for legislation to close corporate tax loopholes and create progressive revenue. Revenue.
Senate, July 13, 2026 -- The committee on The Judiciary to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1205) of Michael O. Moore, Joanne M. Comerford, Jacob R. Oliveira, Joan B. Lovely and other members of the Senate for legislation relative to controlling and abusive litigation, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 3158).
Senate, July 13, 2026 -- The committee on Municipalities and Regional Government to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1430) of Brendan P. Crighton and Vanna Howard for legislation relative to the taxation of certain land and zoning ordinances owned by religious organizations, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 3161).
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies fees collected under Chapter 64D to redirect funds into three specific trust funds: the Global Warming Solutions Trust Fund (for climate programs), the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund. It increases certain fees (e.g., from $1.50 to $1.71) and requires that funds deposited into these trusts prioritize investments in environmental justice populations and regional equity. The bill also creates tax credits for low-income home sellers (25% of the fee payment) and for sellers to first-time homebuyers, with eligibility tied to income thresholds and joint tax filing. These changes aim to channel revenue toward housing affordability and climate adaptation efforts while specifying allocation rules for the trust funds.
Maddy summarySD 94 creates new legal protections for victims of abuse in family or household disputes by defining and addressing "controlling and abusive litigation." It allows courts to issue restraining orders against parties who file lawsuits primarily to harass, intimidate, or maintain contact with an abuse victim - after verifying the parties' relationship and prior abuse findings. If found guilty, the court can dismiss the case with prejudice, award the victim court costs and attorney fees, and impose 48-72 months of prefiling restrictions on the offending party. This bill directly affects individuals in domestic disputes where lawsuits are weaponized as tools of abuse, not the broader public.
Maddy summaryHD 3390 modifies Massachusetts tax law to address income from foreign entities. It specifies that amounts included in federal income under Section 951A of the IRS Code (related to global intangible low-taxed income) will no longer be treated as dividends for state tax purposes, and taxpayers can only deduct 50% of this income instead of the full amount. This primarily affects businesses and individuals with foreign income subject to Section 951A provisions. The changes apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.
By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1430) of Brendan P. Crighton and Vanna Howard for legislation relative to the taxation of certain land and zoning ordinances owned by religious organizations. Municipalities and Regional Government.
By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1447) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Adam Gomez, Mike Connolly, Paul W. Mark and other members of the General Court for legislation to enable cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants. Municipalities and Regional Government.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover and reimburse new telehealth services, including e-consults (provider-to-provider digital advice), e-visits (patient-initiated digital check-ins), and remote monitoring of health data. It directly affects patients seeking virtual care, healthcare providers delivering telehealth services, and insurance carriers. Key provisions mandate coverage for these services without extra prior authorization compared to in-person visits, include interpreter services for non-English speakers or Deaf patients, and require insurers to offer digital health literacy programs for patients with low tech skills. The bill also creates a shared portal for applying to affordable broadband programs to support digital access.
