Budget & Taxes

in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 9, 2026

H 5055: An Act providing for equity within the Judicial Branch

H 5055 adjusts specific numerical values in several judicial branch statutes to increase funding and salary figures. It raises percentages from 81.57% to 84.57% in multiple sections (affecting judicial compensation calculations) and increases dollar amounts in salary schedules (e.g., $232,101 to $242,101 for certain positions). The bill directly affects judicial branch budgets and employee compensation structures by updating these fixed figures. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with no new policy provisions - only technical numerical adjustments to existing law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases judicial branch funding by raising salary figures and compensation percentages, directly advancing judicial budget allocations and compensation structures.95% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 31, 2025

H 4855: An Act relative to urban farmland

This bill creates a state-funded "Vacant Lots to Urban Agriculture Fund" managed by the Department of Agricultural Resources to convert vacant urban properties into farms and community gardens. The fund supports land acquisition, infrastructure development, and startup costs for projects prioritizing environmental justice communities - areas defined by Chapter 30 - to boost food security, economic development, and climate-resilient farming. Grants will cover collaborative planning, land purchases, renovations, and pilot programs in underserved neighborhoods. The department must report annually on grant recipients, funding amounts, and projects serving environmental justice areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState-funded program allocates budget for urban agriculture initiatives, directly supporting food security through public appropriations and fiscal investment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates fund for climate-resilient urban farms prioritizing environmental justice communities, directly advancing environmental protection through land use and climate adaptation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 12, 2026

H 4910: An Act to bring child support home

This bill (H 4910) affects families receiving public assistance (like TANF) who have child support obligations. It requires recipients to cooperate with child support agencies to establish or enforce support orders, with sanctions for non-cooperation unless exemptions apply (e.g., abuse, safety risks, or child's best interest). Key provisions include: (1) creating an income disregard for the first $100/month (one child) or $200/month (two+ children) in child support collected, preventing these amounts from reducing their public assistance benefits; and (2) extending this disregard to former recipients and payments on past-due support, starting July 2027. The changes aim to ensure child support payments directly benefit the family receiving assistance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncome disregard for first $100-$200 child support collected prevents TANF recipients from losing aid, providing tax relief for low-income families.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 23, 2026

H 4987: An Act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges

H 4987 allocates over $2.1 billion in state funds for municipal road and bridge improvements across Massachusetts. It directly affects all cities and towns by providing grants for road construction/reconstruction ($1.2 billion), bridge and pavement repairs ($500 million), housing-related transportation projects ($200 million), and parkway safety upgrades ($200 million), with additional rail funding ($200 million). Key mechanisms include requiring municipalities to follow state procedures, certify project completion, and use funds for climate-resilient infrastructure, bicycle/pedestrian paths, and safety improvements. The bill mandates reimbursement to towns within 30 days of submitting documentation, with funds allocated based on local road mileage and prioritized for long-term capital planning.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.1B in state funds for municipal infrastructure, directly increasing budget spending on essential public works projects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $2.1B for road/bridge repairs, safety upgrades, and rail infrastructure - directly funds transportation improvements across multiple categories.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 2901: An Act relative to senior property tax deferral

Senate, January 8, 2026 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to senior property tax deferral (Senate, No. 2713),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2901).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax deferral for seniors, a form of tax relief for fixed-income residents, aligning with support indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax deferral for seniors, protecting homeownership stability and property rights under housing topic's scope.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 5610: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for responding to recent federal actions

This bill primarily allocates funding for Massachusetts state operations in fiscal year 2026, including $12.3 million for indigent legal services and $300 million for group health insurance. It also includes significant policy changes: it removes a citizenship application requirement for financial assistance programs and adds privacy protections for applicant information. Most notably, Section 5 creates new rules for child care settings, requiring law enforcement to obtain a judicial warrant before entering licensed child care centers, family child care homes, or school-aged programs for immigration enforcement. These rules mandate that staff verify warrants, obtain director approval before allowing entry, and limit access to areas without children. The policy directly affects child care providers and law enforcement interactions within these facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $12.3M for indigent legal services and $300M for group health insurance, directly funding public services through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $12.3M for indigent legal services, directly supporting defendants' access to counsel in criminal cases.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $300M for group health insurance, removes citizenship barriers for financial assistance, and adds privacy protections - expanding access and strengthening coverage.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves citizenship requirement for financial assistance and adds privacy protections, increasing immigrant access to state services while limiting data sharing with federal enforcement.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly adds privacy protections for applicant information, directly advancing data privacy - a core component of technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Insurance Citizenship & Naturalization Enforcement

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passed both · Massachusetts · House Jul 16, 2026

H 5035: An Act relative to Grafton's senior tax exemption

By Representative Muradian of Grafton and Senator Moore, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5035) of David K. Muradian, Jr., (by vote of the town) relative to the senior property tax exemption in the town of Grafton. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief for seniors via property tax exemption, directly reducing tax burden for a specific group within tax policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 15, 2026

HD 5525: An Act establishing tax exemptions for veteran's clubs and organizations

By Representative Gallagher of Bridgewater, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Dennis C. Gallagher for legislation to establish tax exemptions for certain veteran's clubs and organizations. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax exemptions for veteran's clubs, reducing tax burden for these organizations, aligning with tax relief support indicators.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes tax exemptions for veteran clubs, reducing operational costs and supporting their ability to serve veterans through financial relief.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 2917: An Act to prevent property tax bill shocks

Senate, January 15, 2026 -- Text of the Senate Bill to prevent property tax bill shocks (Senate, No. 2917) (being the text of Senate, No. 2899, printed as amended)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents sudden property tax increases, shielding homeowners from unexpected costs and promoting fiscal stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 4940: An Act to redirect excessive health insurer reserves to support health care safety net programs

This bill requires health insurers with reserves exceeding 550% of risk-based capital to pay an assessment generating $400 million total. The funds are split equally: $200 million goes to the Health Safety Net Trust Fund (supporting community health programs) and $200 million to the Medicaid Stabilization Trust Fund (preventing access cuts for MassHealth beneficiaries). The assessment applies to insurers meeting specific reserve thresholds set by the Division of Insurance, with enforcement mechanisms including interest charges for late payments. The program expires on December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes assessment on insurers to generate $400M funding for health safety net and Medicaid programs, directly increasing public service funding through targeted revenue.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects insurer reserves to Health Safety Net and Medicaid Stabilization Trust Funds, increasing funding for community health programs and preventing access cuts for MassHealth beneficiaries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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