Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 3264: An Act relative to payments in lieu of taxation by organizations exempt from the property tax

This bill requires certain large tax-exempt organizations in Massachusetts to pay 25% of the property tax they would owe if their property were taxable. It applies to organizations owning property valued at $15 million or more in cities or towns that adopt the provision. Key exceptions include "High Public Payment Hospitals" defined under state law, which remain fully exempt. The bill establishes a clear payment mechanism but does not change existing tax exemptions for qualifying nonprofits. Municipalities must first approve the provision through local vote to implement it.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates payments in lieu of property tax for exempt organizations, increasing state revenue and supporting budget funding mechanisms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 2016: An Act relative to payments in lieu of taxation by organizations exempt from the property tax

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2016) of Adam Gomez for legislation relative to payments in lieu of taxation by organizations exempt from the property tax. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires tax-exempt organizations to make payments in lieu of property tax, increasing state revenue and closing a tax loophole to strengthen budget funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 15, 2025

H 4601: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.

This bill, H 4601, is a fiscal year 2025 appropriations measure that allocates specific funds to Massachusetts state agencies and programs. It directly affects state operations by supplementing existing budgets, including $2.05 billion for MassHealth fee-for-service payments, $35 million for housing preservation, $15 million for World Cup event support, and $60.7 million for snow removal services. Key mechanisms include re-appropriating unspent funds from previous years and creating new funding reserves for specific purposes like reproductive health care continuity and substance use disorder treatment facilities. The bill ensures these funds are available through June 2026, supplementing existing appropriations without creating new policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2.05B for MassHealth, $35M housing preservation, and $60.7M snow removal, directly funding essential public services and supplementing existing budgets.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2.05B for MassHealth fee-for-service payments, directly funding healthcare coverage under public health programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $35 million specifically for housing preservation, directly funding housing stability efforts per the summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Substance Abuse Women's Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 14, 2025

H 4429: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

H 4429 is a supplemental appropriations bill for Massachusetts' fiscal year 2025, adding funding to existing state budgets rather than creating new programs. It allocates specific sums to current operations, including $700,000 for the Suffolk District Attorney's Office, $12 million for school meals, $2.05 billion for MassHealth payments, and $18.5 million for public health hospitals. The bill provides these supplemental funds from the General Fund or Transitional Escrow Fund, with most amounts available through June 2026, to support ongoing state services and address unanticipated needs. It directly affects state agencies and programs already funded in the annual budget, not new policy initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.05B for MassHealth, $12M for school meals, and other essential services from existing funds, strengthening public program funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $12 million for school meals under K-12 education funding, directly advancing educational access and operations through supplemental appropriations.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2.05 billion for MassHealth payments, directly strengthening public health coverage and funding existing healthcare programs without defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3184: An Act implementing a home water filtration tax credit

This bill creates a tax credit for Massachusetts homeowners who install home water filtration systems when their public water supply is deemed unsafe by the state. Eligible homeowners can claim a credit equal to 60% of installation costs (up to $2,500 total), capped at $750 per tax year and $1,500 lifetime. The credit does not cover maintenance or filter replacements, and only applies to properties with public water connections where the water is officially classified as unclean or unsafe. The state environmental department will establish rules for administering the credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for home water filtration, providing tax relief for homeowners under Revenue topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 3274: An Act establishing a local option gas tax

This bill (HD 1820) allows Massachusetts cities and towns to impose a local 3-cent-per-gallon excise tax on fuel and special fuels sold to retail dealers within their borders. Retail fuel suppliers must collect this tax monthly and remit it to the state, which then distributes the funds quarterly back to the adopting municipality. The revenue must be spent equally on three specific transportation purposes: road/bridge maintenance (1/3), public transit (1/3), and alternative transportation projects like bike lanes or carpool programs (1/3). It does not change existing state fuel taxes and applies only to communities that choose to adopt the new local option.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes local option gas tax to generate revenue, directly advancing tax policy for budget funding.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 1941: An Act establishing a highway use tax for heavy trucks

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1941) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation to establish a highway use tax for heavy trucks. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes new highway use tax on heavy trucks to generate revenue, directly advancing state budget funding through dedicated tax collection.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes highway tax for heavy trucks, generating revenue for transportation infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Transportation Funding

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3118: An Act to establish a digital advertising revenue commission

This bill establishes a special commission to study how Massachusetts could generate revenue from digital advertising displayed in the state by large companies (those with over $100 million in global annual revenue). The commission will examine tax models used by other states, analyze current tax payments by these companies, and assess how proposed tax rates might impact state revenue, infrastructure funding, and competitiveness. Its report, due by March 2026, must include recommendations for equitable tax rates and specific revenue uses, such as expanding broadband access in underserved communities and upgrading school technology. The commission will include lawmakers, state officials, and experts appointed by legislative leaders and the governor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes commission to study digital ad revenue generation, directly addressing budget revenue streams and fiscal management.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 13, 2026

S 1958: An Act establishing the micro business employee training and workforce development program

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1958) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation to establish a tax incentive program for micro businesses to hire formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals receiving transitional benefits. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax incentive program for micro businesses, providing tax relief as fiscal policy tool to fund workforce development.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill incentivizes hiring formerly incarcerated individuals, directly reducing recidivism through workforce integration and rehabilitation support.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentTax incentives for hiring formerly incarcerated and transitional benefits recipients directly expands employment opportunities, aligning with labor & employment support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Workforce Development

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3263: An Act establishing a tax on local revenues from digital advertising

HD 1007 establishes a new tax on digital advertising revenue generated within the commonwealth, targeting large companies with significant digital ad sales. It imposes tiered tax rates (5% for $50M-$100M in annual gross revenue, 10% for $100M-$200M, and 15% for over $200M) on the "assessable base" (revenue from digital ads in the state). Companies earning over $100,000 annually from digital advertising in the commonwealth must file annual returns by April 15 and quarterly estimated tax payments. The tax begins for the 2026 tax year, applying to digital advertising services shown to users in the state via IP address or reasonable presumption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes new tax on digital advertising revenue to generate state funds, directly advancing fiscal management and budgetary revenue streams.95% confidence

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