Massachusetts Bills

Report of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (pursuant to line item 7061-9813 Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting its second FY26 Rural Aid report

This bill serves as a procedural document that places a report from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on file for the legislature. The report details the implementation status and financial impact of the state's Innovation Schools program. No new laws, funding changes, or policy mandates are introduced by this measure.

This bill requires the Department of Revenue to submit its annual report for fiscal year 2025 as mandated by state law. The legislation also clarifies rules regarding tax credits for investments in certified housing and offshore wind facilities, allowing taxpayers to claim these benefits through 2025. Additionally, it adjusts the aggregate limit for certain tax credits to $15,000,000. These provisions are designed to update existing tax codes related to renewable energy and housing development.

Report of the Department of Public Health (pursuant to line-item 4590-0915 of Section 2 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting its Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children April 2026 report

Report of the Department of Public Health (pursuant to 105 CMR 451.403) submitting the inspection report for Essex County Correctional Facility, the Plan of Correction (POC) from the facility and the POC acceptance letter from the Division of Environmental Health Regulations and Standards (EHRS)

Report of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (pursuant to Section 84 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023) submitting its School Meal Waste and Consumption report

Report of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (pursuant to Section 47 of Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2014) summitting its State Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team 2025 annual report

This report recommends that the Massachusetts Legislature take no action on a petition to replace the state's current partisan primary system with an all-party primary. Under the proposed change, candidates from all parties would run together in a single primary election, with only the top two vote-geters advancing to the general election regardless of their party affiliation. The committee cited concerns about potential vote splitting, reduced party accountability, and possible decreases in overall voter turnout based on evidence from other states that have adopted similar systems. The report also noted significant administrative and fiscal challenges associated with implementing this new election structure at both the state and municipal levels.

This bill reports the findings of a special joint committee regarding a citizen initiative petition to lower the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4%. The legislation directly affects state taxpayers by proposing a reduction in the income tax they pay. It serves as a procedural step to formally present the committee's review of the petition to the legislature for further action. The bill does not enact the tax change itself but rather documents the committee's analysis of the proposal.

This report documents the Special Joint Committee's decision to recommend no action on a citizen-led proposal to reform and regulate legislative stipends in Massachusetts. The committee concluded that the initiative petition is unconstitutional because the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled it attempts to regulate legislative procedures rather than establish a permissible law. Consequently, the bill will not proceed to a vote, meaning no changes to legislative pay structures will be enacted through this specific citizen petition.

Report of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (pursuant to Chapter 88 of the Acts of 2024, Section 10 of Chapter 1 of the Acts of 2025, and Section 88 of Chapter 73 of the Acts of 2025) submitting its Emergency Housing Assistance Program bi-weekly report

Senate, May 7, 2026 - Text of the Senate amendment (Senator Rausch) to the House Bill revising the charter of the town of Millis, as amended (House, No. 3911).