Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 18, 2025

H 7: An Act improving the internal controls within state agencies

This bill requires state agencies to adopt specific recommendations from the State Auditor's report (House No. 3) to strengthen internal controls. It directly affects all state agencies subject to the State Auditor's review, mandating they implement these identified improvements. The key mechanism is the adoption of the auditor's concrete findings to enhance financial oversight and accountability within agency operations. The bill focuses on implementing existing audit recommendations, not creating new rules or policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates adoption of State Auditor's recommendations to strengthen financial oversight and accountability in state agency spending, promoting fiscal responsibility.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 17, 2025

HD 4893: An Act exempting precious metal purchases from state sales tax

By Representative Marsi of Dudley, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of John J. Marsi relative to exempting precious metal purchases from the sales tax. Revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts precious metal purchases from sales tax, creating a tax break primarily for wealthy investors, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 18, 2025

H 678: An Act to fix the chapter 70 inflation adjustment

This bill amends Chapter 70 of the General Laws to adjust how public school funding is calculated for inflation. It sets a new "Foundation inflation index" based on a specific economic measure, capping annual increases in per-student funding rates at 4.5% (except for employee benefits and fixed charges, which use the prior year's rate). The changes directly affect public school districts receiving state foundation allotments by ensuring funding per student doesn't decrease below a minimum adjusted rate each year. The key mechanism prevents significant year-to-year cuts in school funding during inflationary periods.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts inflation adjustment for education aid, maintaining funding levels to prevent erosion, aligning with fiscal responsibility in budget management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill adjusts education aid for inflation, ensuring funding maintains real value against rising costs, directly supporting school budgets and stability.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 944: An Act relative to funding water infrastructure and addressing economic target areas

This bill creates the Commonwealth Water Infrastructure Trust Fund, financed by new fees charged by cities and towns for water/sewer connections ($250 for residential, $1,000 for commercial/industrial). The fund distributes 50% of collected fees back to the cities/towns that collected them for local water infrastructure projects, 40% to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, and 5% each to the Department of Environmental Protection (for economic target areas) and the Department of Revenue (for administration). Municipalities receiving funds must report annually on project use, and the Department of Environmental Protection must create a specific initiative to assist municipalities in economic target areas with water infrastructure planning. The bill directly affects local governments, the Clean Water Trust, and the DEP, with funding flowing without needing annual legislative approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for water infrastructure, a public service program, directly advancing fiscal management under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds water infrastructure under Environment committee, directly supporting pollution control and conservation through infrastructure investment.92% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 2, 2026

S 2001: An Act establishing the Massachusetts downsizing tax credit

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2001) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to establish the Massachusetts residence downsizing tax credit. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes tax credit for downsizing, providing tax relief directly impacting taxation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3182: An Act relative to a capital gains tax credit for first time homebuyers

HD 3296 creates a refundable tax credit for Massachusetts first-time homebuyers who use capital gains from selling investments to cover their down payment. The credit amount equals the lesser of the capital gains tax owed on the sale or the down payment amount, directly benefiting eligible buyers. To qualify, the capital funds must be liquidated within 60 days before the property transfer. This bill specifically affects Massachusetts residents who haven't owned a home in the past three years and use investment proceeds for a primary residence down payment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides capital gains tax credit for first-time homebuyers, reducing tax burden on middle-income residents per tax relief indicator.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax credit for first-time homebuyers reduces purchase costs, directly increasing affordable housing access and aligning with housing support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Property Taxes

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3216: An Act supporting home sales to first-time home buyers

This bill creates a tax credit for sellers of residential properties in Massachusetts who sell to first-time home buyers using the home as their primary residence. Sellers would receive a credit equal to 50% of the profit (capital gain) from the sale, up to a maximum of $7,500 per transaction. The credit applies only to properties priced under $750,000, containing four or fewer dwelling units, and sold to buyers who have never owned a home before. The policy directly affects sellers meeting these criteria by reducing their tax liability on the sale.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits for first-time home buyers, a direct tax relief measure for middle-income households, advancing fiscal policy to support housing affordability.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credits to reduce costs for first-time home buyers, directly advancing affordable housing access through financial incentives.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 2, 2025

H 704: An Act increasing the Commonwealth's share of the education foundation budget

By Representative Sena of Acton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 704) of Danillo A. Sena and Margaret R. Scarsdale relative to increasing the Commonwealth's share of the education foundation budget. Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state funding for education, a core public service, directly advancing budget allocation for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly increases state funding for education foundation budget, directly aligning with support indicators of strengthening and funding education.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 1960: An Act establishing tax credits for health care preceptorship

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1960) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to establish tax credits for health care preceptorship that pairs an eligible student with a health care practitioner to attain specified learning objectives. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax credits for health care preceptorship, providing tax relief which aligns with fiscal support for targeted programs under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes tax credits for healthcare preceptorship, directly funding training programs to strengthen healthcare workforce development and improve access to care.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3174: An Act relative to a child and dependent care tax credit

This bill amends Massachusetts tax law to create a state-level child and dependent care tax credit. It provides a credit equal to 25% of the federal credit amount, capped at $500 per dependent, for Massachusetts residents who paid for child or dependent care. To qualify, taxpayers must be Massachusetts residents for part of the year (with credit prorated by days lived in state), and married couples must file jointly or qualify as head of household. The credit directly affects Massachusetts taxpayers with eligible care expenses who meet the residency and filing requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit for child/dependent care, reducing tax burden for families - aligns with tax relief for middle/lower income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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