Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · House May 14, 2026

H 56: An Act empowering municipalities and local governments

This bill empowers Massachusetts municipalities by giving them greater control over local finances and operations. It allows communities to adopt new revenue options like a vehicle excise surcharge and expanded local meal/hotel taxes, while raising procurement bid thresholds to reduce administrative burdens. The bill also codifies pandemic-era hybrid meeting rules and establishes a commission to address unfunded pension liabilities (OPEB). These provisions directly affect all 351 cities and towns across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables new local tax options (vehicle excise surcharge, expanded meal/hotel taxes) and fiscal control, strengthening municipal budget autonomy per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Pensions Procurement

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 3080: An Act relative to embarkation fees

By Representative Diggs of Barnstable, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3080) of Kip A. Diggs relative to the imposition of embarkation fees from ferry services. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes embarkation fees on ferry services to generate revenue, directly contributing to state budget funding through new fee-based income.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 2670: Amendment S.2670

Senate, October 23, 2025 -- Text of the Senate amendment to the House Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects (House, No. 4615) ( being the text of Senate document numbered 2655, printed as amended)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAmendment supplements existing appropriations for fiscal year 2025, directly advancing government funding allocation without cuts or tax changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 9, 2026

H 3159: An Act supporting family caregivers

By Representatives Kushmerek of Fitchburg and Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3159) of Michael P. Kushmerek, David M. Rogers and others for legislation to support family caregivers through tax credits and the establishment an advisory council (including members of the General Court) relative to family care giving. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes tax credits for family caregivers, directly advancing tax relief and fiscal support for caregivers, aligning with budget/tax support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax credits for caregivers and advisory council establish support structure, enhancing healthcare access and reducing burden on formal care systems.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 3229: An Act to increase community preservation revenue

By Representative Rogers of Norwood, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3229) of John H. Rogers relative to community preservation surcharges. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases community preservation revenue via surcharges, directly funding public services through new tax revenue.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 29, 2026

H 4577: An Act authorizing the town of Provincetown to impose a 0.5% real estate transfer fee

By Representative Luddy of Orleans and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4577) of Hadley Luddy and Julian Cyr (by vote of the town) that the town of Provincetown be authorized to impose a real estate transfer fee. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes a 0.5% real estate transfer fee to generate local revenue, strengthening municipal budgeting through new tax revenue.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 3227: An Act relative to bundled cellular telephone transactions

By Representative Rogers of Norwood, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3227) of John H. Rogers relative to taxation of bundled cellular telephone transactions. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly addresses taxation of bundled cellular transactions under 'Revenue', directly impacting tax policy and fiscal management.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 2, 2026

S 2038: An Act to increase the commuter tax deduction to reflect rising costs

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2038) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to increase the commuter tax deduction to reflect rising costs. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases commuter tax deduction, providing tax relief for workers affected by rising costs, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income earners.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 6, 2026

H 4703: An Act authorizing the town of Truro to impose a 0.5% real estate transfer fee

By Representative Luddy of Orleans and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4703) of Hadley Luddy (by vote of the town) that the town of Truro be authorized to impose a 0.5% real estate transfer fee in said town. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes 0.5% real estate transfer fee for local revenue, directly creating a new tax-based funding mechanism for town budgets.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes a real estate transfer fee (0.5%) whose revenue could fund local housing initiatives, aligning with housing funding indicators.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3098: An Act relative to home heating oil deductions

By Representative Frost of Auburn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3098) of Paul K. Frost and Joseph D. McKenna relative to home heating oil tax deductions. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax deduction for home heating oil, providing direct tax relief to homeowners, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income households.95% confidence

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