Massachusetts Congressional Bills

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

HRES 1209: Recognizing the significance of "Community College Month" in April as a celebration of more than 1,000 institutions throughout the United States supporting access to higher education, workforce training, and more, broadly sustaining and advancing the Nation's economic prosperity.

This resolution designates April as "Community College Month" to recognize the significance of community colleges across the United States. It celebrates over 1,000 institutions for their role in providing accessible higher education and workforce training, and for contributing to the nation's economic prosperity.

Topics ✓ Education

Joe Courtney (D) · 42 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8488: AI Data Center Site Selection Transparency Act of 2026

This bill requires developers of artificial intelligence data centers to publicly disclose project details, such as location and environmental impact, at least 180 days before taking definitive construction steps. To ensure community awareness, the legislation mandates that developers engage local media, post on social media, send direct mail, place physical signs at the site, and provide materials in multiple languages. Additionally, the bill restricts the use of non-disclosure agreements with government entities and requires independent third-party environmental impact analyses funded by the developers. The Federal Trade Commission is designated as the enforcement agency, with violations treated as unfair or deceptive acts under existing federal law.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8484: Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act

The Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act establishes a grant program to provide financial compensation and safety resources to essential health care workers during declared emergencies or disasters. This legislation directly affects medical providers, support staff, and other frontline workers whose jobs cannot be performed remotely, such as orderlies and janitors in health care settings. Under the bill, eligible facilities can receive federal funds to pay workers an additional hourly rate of up to $13 for hazardous duties, with a yearly cap of $25,000 per employee, while also allowing funds for protective equipment and alternative transportation. The program is triggered by various federal or state emergency declarations and authorizes the necessary funding to implement these hazard pay measures.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Summer L. Lee (D) · 22 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8474: Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026

The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 establishes a new federal "Neighborhood Tree Fund" to provide financial assistance for planting and maintaining urban trees. This fund will support states, Indian Tribes, and local governments or community groups in increasing tree canopy and improving urban forest health. The bill prioritizes projects in low-income areas, historically disadvantaged communities, and neighborhoods with less tree cover and higher summer temperatures to address environmental inequities. It authorizes substantial funding, starting at $100 million in fiscal year 2025, and also adjusts an existing advisory council's membership to include representatives from smaller and low-income communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8465: Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act

The "Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act" proposes to increase authorized funding for specific programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This bill sets new appropriation levels for Part C of IDEA, which provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. It also increases authorized funding for Section 619 of IDEA, which supports preschool special education for children aged three to five. These funding authorizations are scheduled for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, directly affecting children with disabilities and the state and local agencies that provide these services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Mark DeSaulnier (D) · 26 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8092: Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026

This bill modernizes housing assistance programs for Native American tribes and Native Hawaiians by streamlining environmental reviews, extending funding authorization through 2032, and expanding loan guarantee options. Key provisions include consolidating environmental review requirements to reduce paperwork for tribes, allowing 99-year leasehold interests on trust lands for housing, and creating new rental assistance specifically for homeless or at-risk Native American veterans. The legislation also clarifies rent rules, waives certain housing counseling certifications for tribal entities, exempts tribal housing projects from some federal civil rights and Buy America requirements, and establishes a direct loan guarantee process for tribal housing projects.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Troy Downing (R) · 50 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 22, 2026

HRES 1208: Expressing support for honoring Earth Day, and for other purposes.

House Resolution 1208 expresses the House of Representatives' support for honoring Earth Day and its historical role in promoting environmental protection and action. It encourages American citizens to engage in environmental stewardship and urges the President and the U.S. Government to take immediate action to address climate change, environmental injustices, and rejoin international climate agreements.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Doris O. Matsui (D) · 55 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 4377: Climate Change Education Act

This bill establishes a Climate Change Education Program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to increase public understanding of climate change and its solutions. It authorizes funding to provide grants to schools, universities, and community organizations for developing curricula, training teachers, and supporting student-led climate projects. The legislation requires that 40 percent of certain grant funds be directed toward environmental justice communities and mandates annual reporting to Congress on the program's effectiveness. Funding is authorized at $50 million per year from 2027 through 2032 to support these educational initiatives.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 4376: Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026

The Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026 requires heads of five major federal agencies to create advisory councils composed of young people aged 16 to 29 to provide recommendations on environmental issues. These councils must include at least 50% of members from disadvantaged communities and draw from diverse backgrounds such as business, academia, and government, with no single group making up more than 60% of the membership. The councils will meet at least once a year, submit annual reports to agency heads, and receive administrative support and funding of $250,000 annually from 2027 through 2037.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 4369: Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act

This bill, known as the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, aims to overturn a specific executive order by repealing it and prohibiting the use of federal funds to implement similar directives in the future. It directly affects the United States Postal Service, various federal agencies, and state election officials by restricting their ability to regulate mail-in ballots or create national citizenship lists for voting purposes. Key provisions ban federal agencies from sharing voter registration data, compel the Postal Service to continue delivering state-issued mail ballots without interference, and forbid the use of taxpayer money to enforce rules that would require states to adopt specific citizenship verification methods. The legislation seeks to preserve the current system where states manage their own election administration while the Postal Service delivers ballots, citing historical precedents and the high volume of mail-in voting used by Americans.

Alex Padilla (D) · 40 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 22, 2026

HR 5543: Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025

HR 5543, the Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025, requires the U.S. State and Defense Departments to submit a report within 180 days of enactment. The report will assess emerging military, cyber, hybrid, and political threats to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, including the roles of Russia, Belarus, China, Iran, and other actors. It will also evaluate U.S. and NATO military presence in the region, opportunities for defense cooperation, and recommendations to strengthen deterrence, cybersecurity, and democratic resilience in the Baltic countries. This bill directly affects U.S. foreign policy and defense planning regarding the Baltics, but does not create new programs or funding.

Wesley Bell (D) · 101 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 4364: Speedy Tariff Refund Act of 2026

The Speedy Tariff Refund Act of 2026 requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to automatically issue interest-bearing refunds for duties collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This process applies to all importers of affected goods and does not require them to submit requests or additional paperwork to receive their money. The bill also mandates that Customs prioritize these refunds for small businesses and re-process any previously finalized transactions to ensure the correct refund amount is paid. Additionally, the legislation expresses a congressional preference that importers pass these refunds on to their customers, though this is a statement of intent rather than a mandatory requirement.

Massachusetts Congressional Bills

Bill results