Massachusetts Bills

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 15, 2026

H 4867: An Act relative to school choice

By Representative Barrett of North Adams and Senator Mark, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of John Barrett, III relative to school choice. Education.

passed both · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 15, 2026

S 1831: An Act providing killed in the line of duty benefits to Joanne Songy, surviving spouse of Detective John D. Songy, a police officer of the town of Rutland

By Mr. Durant, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1831) of Peter J. Durant, Kimberly N. Ferguson, Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to provide killed in the line of duty benefits to Joanne Songy, surviving spouse of Detective John D. Songy, a police officer of the town of Rutland. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SD 3996: Order considering Senate Bill, No. 867 during the Senate Session of June 18, 2026

This bill is a procedural order that schedules Senate Bill No. 867 for immediate consideration during a specific Senate session on June 18, 2026. It temporarily suspends standard Senate rules to allow the bill, which relates to primary care, to be read and debated alongside another pending amendment. The order also sets specific guidelines for how future amendments to the bill can be introduced and voted on during that session. This measure does not change the content of the primary care legislation itself but rather manages the legislative process to ensure the bill is discussed on time.

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 11, 2026

H 5495: Resolutions designating August 8th and 9th, 2026 as the sales tax holiday

This bill designates August 8 and 9, 2026, as the official sales tax holiday weekend for Massachusetts. It directly affects retail consumers and businesses by setting the specific dates when sales tax will not be charged on qualifying purchases. The legislation simply confirms the schedule required by state law, ensuring the holiday occurs on the correct weekend for the upcoming year.

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 11, 2026

H 5496: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill appropriates additional state funds for fiscal year 2026 to support various government programs, including substance addiction services, homelessness initiatives, and transportation snow removal. It also establishes a new State Lottery and Gaming Fund to manage lottery revenues specifically for prize payments, administrative costs, and affordable childcare grants. Furthermore, the legislation amends laws regarding military service recognition to define specific conflict periods and remove residency requirements for certain veteran benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 3111: Amendment S.3111

Senate, June 4, 2026 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means to whom was referred the House Bill enhancing child welfare protections (House, No. 4646) (also based on Senate, No. 2659); reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of Senate document numbered 3111.

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 11, 2026

H 5097: An Act authorizing the city of Salem to convert seasonal licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises to annual licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises

H 5097 converts two specific seasonal alcohol licenses for on-site consumption to annual licenses for two Salem businesses: Amazing Pizza LLC at 62 Wharf Street and Maitland Farm LLC at 84 Derby Street. The bill allows Salem's licensing authority to make this change, requiring tax compliance letters from state departments before any new applicant can receive the license at the same location. If either license ends, it must be returned to the city for potential reissuance within 3 years under the same terms. This bill applies exclusively to these two businesses and their exact locations, with no broader effect on other licenses.

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 11, 2026

H 4547: An Act relative to excise upon the transfer of parking spaces in the city of Salem

By Representative Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4547) of Manny Cruz (with the approval of the mayor and city council) relative to excise upon the transfer of parking spaces in the city of Salem. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 11, 2026

H 4201: An Act relative to changing the two-year elected term for the Mayor of Chicopee to a four-year elected term

This bill changes Chicopee's mayoral election cycle from a two-year term to a four-year term. Starting at the next municipal election (and every four years after), voters will elect the mayor to serve a four-year term beginning January 1st following their election. The bill repeals the existing two-year term provision in Chicopee's charter and requires voter approval at the current year's state election for the change to take effect. It directly affects Chicopee residents who vote in mayoral elections and the city's governing structure.

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 2635: An Act authorizing the city known as the town of Barnstable to use red lights on certain emergency response vehicles

By Mr. Cyr and Mr. Diggs of Barnstable, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2635) of Julian Cyr and Kip A. Diggs (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the city known as the town of Barnstable to use red lights on certain emergency response vehicles. Public Safety and Homeland Security. [Local Approval Received.]

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 11, 2026

H 4605: An Act authorizing the town of Millis to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption for school building construction projects

HD 5225 allows the town of Millis to create a property tax exemption for seniors to help fund school building construction. It directly affects residents aged 65+ (or 60+ with a 65+ partner) who own their primary home in Millis for 10+ years, meet income limits tied to the state's circuit breaker tax credit, and have limited assets. The exemption covers up to the actual borrowing cost for school projects, applied only to the senior's primary residence, and must be renewed annually with proof of income and assets. The town will fund this exemption by shifting the tax burden proportionally to other residential taxpayers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 11, 2026

H 3907: An Act amending chapter 445 of the acts of 1960 and establishing a board of election commissioners in the city of Salem

This bill establishes a new five-member Board of Election Commissioners in Salem, replacing the existing Board of Registrars of Voters. The board must include at least two members from each of Salem's two leading political parties, with the fifth member unenrolled, and should reflect the city's racial and ethnic diversity. It transfers all election-related duties - including voter registration, election administration, complaint investigations, and promoting voter participation - from the city clerk and former board to this new board. The bill amends Chapter 445 of the 1960 acts to update references to the new board structure, effective upon passage or July 1, 2026, whichever is later. The current board members become the first commissioners, with two additional members appointed to ensure staggered terms.

Bill results