This bill changes how Massachusetts maintains voter registration lists. It replaces automatic removal of voters after two years of inactivity with a new "inactive voters list" system. Registrars must send voters a notice if their address appears outdated, giving them 2 years to confirm continued residency by voting, returning a notice card, or submitting written affirmation. Voters on the inactive list can restore their status without penalty during this period. The bill directly affects residents whose addresses may no longer match registration records, ensuring they aren't removed without opportunity to verify eligibility.
HD 1474 requires private colleges and universities in Massachusetts with endowments exceeding $1 billion to pay an annual 2.5% tax on those endowment funds. The tax revenue will fund the new Educational Opportunity for All Trust Fund, which will subsidize higher education, early education, and child care costs for lower-income and middle-class Massachusetts residents. The fund will be administered by the Executive Office of Education under a Board of Trustees representing higher education, early education, child care, and community college sectors.
By Representative Biele of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 325) of David Biele and others relative to the sale of alcoholic beverages at certain venues. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
This bill clarifies that payments for food, beverages, or goods sold at bake sales, farmer’s markets, or community festivals organized by political party committees (under G.L. c. 52, §§2-3) do not count as campaign contributions if the total annual amount is under $10,000. It directly affects local political party committees hosting such events, removing the need to report small-scale food sales as contributions. The key provision amends the definition of "contribution" to exclude these nominal-price sales, simplifying reporting requirements for low-value transactions.
HD 1373 requires individuals in major policymaking roles (as defined in Chapter 268B) to disclose transfers of money or valuables exceeding $1,000 to tax-exempt organizations (like 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) groups) or other entities that engage in political activity. This includes donations to groups supporting candidates, ballot measures, or electioneering communications, or to entities that then make such political contributions. The disclosure must be reported to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance by the recipient entity. The law aims to increase transparency around funding flows to political actors by mandating disclosure of significant financial contributions.
HD 2265, titled "An Act relative to pay-to-play schemes," prohibits investment advisers from providing services to state or local government entities within two years of making campaign contributions to officials who influence those contracts. It also bans advisers from soliciting contributions to secure contracts and bars officials from accepting contributions before awarding contracts to the same adviser. Small contributions (up to $350 per official for whom the contributor could vote) are exempt, and violations carry fines up to $1,000 or six months in jail. The bill directly affects investment advisers, government officials, and the process for awarding government investment advisory contracts.
This bill establishes new contribution limits for campaign financing in Massachusetts. It caps individual contributions to a single candidate or their committee at $1,000 per election, to political party committees at $10,000 per election, and to other political committees at $1,000 per election - with no limit for ballot question committees. Government agents (e.g., legislators or executive employees) face lower limits of $200 per election for contributions to candidates or political committees. The limits will automatically adjust for inflation every two years starting in 2026, using the Boston area consumer price index, rounded to the nearest $50.
By Representative Day of Stoneham (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 817) of Vincent Lawrence Dixon relative to the disclosure of the political party offices' campaign contributions. Election Laws.
HD 112 requires groups and individuals spending over $250 on online political ads to report detailed information within 7 days, including the ad content, target demographics, top funders (up to five), and certification that U.S. citizens funded the ad. It applies to entities not classified as political committees, such as businesses or advocacy groups running internet-based electioneering communications. The bill mandates a public online archive where these reports, ads, and removal reasons (if applicable) will be accessible to the public. This aims to increase transparency around online political advertising funding and targeting.
This bill clarifies the jurisdiction of Massachusetts housing courts by updating how court divisions are defined geographically. It removes outdated descriptions of specific cities and counties (like "in the city of Boston" or "Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties") and replaces them with the phrase "within their respective" jurisdiction. The change streamlines the legal language without altering which courts handle housing cases in different regions.
This bill (SD 172) changes Massachusetts' Emergency Assistance shelter program rules. It prohibits individuals convicted or charged with violent felonies or sexual offenses (under Chapter 265) from continuing to receive shelter benefits while using the program, unless they get a written waiver from the program director. The key provision automatically blocks benefit eligibility for these individuals, removing a prior exception that allowed continued aid. This directly affects shelter users facing specific criminal charges under the state's violent crime statutes. The change takes effect immediately without requiring new legislation for each case.
This bill amends Chapter 55 of Massachusetts General Laws to clarify that Commonwealth employees cannot be prohibited from soliciting political contributions from fellow employees for union-organized political committees. It directly affects state employees represented by unions under Chapter 150E, allowing those unions to collect funds for committees focused on improving workplace conditions. The key provision removes a previous restriction, enabling unions to legally gather contributions from members for political committees that advocate for better employment terms. The change specifically permits this solicitation within the context of union-organized committees, not general political activity. The policy change is limited to how unions may fund political efforts related to employee representation.
