This bill creates a property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans who are 65+ years old and occupy their home as their primary residence in Massachusetts. To qualify, veterans must have a VA-determined 100% service-connected disability, be legal Massachusetts residents, and meet specific residency requirements before entering service or filing for exemption. The exemption covers the full property tax on the portion of the home used as the veteran's primary residence, and surviving spouses aged 65+ who remain owners and occupants continue the exemption after the veteran's death. The state will reimburse municipalities for the lost tax revenue, ensuring local governments bear no cost for this relief.
This bill would create a single government-run health care system called the Massachusetts Health Care Trust, providing universal coverage to all Massachusetts residents. It eliminates patient cost-sharing (like deductibles and co-pays) and requires the Trust to cover all medically appropriate services, including dental, behavioral health, and long-term care. The Trust would replace current private and public insurance plans, funding care through state revenue to ensure coverage regardless of income, health status, or employment. It directly affects every Massachusetts resident (as defined, including homeless individuals and undocumented people) and all health care providers in the state. The system aims to reduce administrative costs, control spending, and expand preventive care while guaranteeing continuous coverage without job or enrollment changes.
HD 4921 creates a dedicated "Economic Development Special Revenue Fund" for Hopkinton, Massachusetts, using the town’s local meals tax revenue (collected under Chapter 64L, Section 2 of the General Laws). The fund finances economic development projects, business retention efforts, infrastructure improvements, and related activities within Hopkinton. It requires the town treasurer to publish an annual financial report detailing fund revenues, expenditures, and balances by October 1 each year. The fund can be terminated by a 2/3 vote of the town meeting, returning any remaining funds to the general town fund.
This bill changes how certain Massachusetts counties retain property transfer tax revenue (deeds excise receipts). Starting July 1, 2025, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, Norfolk, and Plymouth counties will keep an additional 20% of these receipts, while Barnstable County will keep an additional 7.5%. The funds must go into each county’s general fund and can be used for county operations, maintenance, or saved for future needs. The bill applies only to receipts collected after the specified date and modifies existing retention rules for these specific counties.
This bill redirects 12% of annual cannabis tax revenue to support communities disproportionately harmed by drug enforcement policies. Specifically, it allocates 10% to a community reinvestment grant program for municipalities facing high poverty rates, racial disparities, or significant impacts from the criminal justice system, funding job training, small business development, and mental health services. Another 5% supports municipal equity funds, while 5% aids the Cannabis Control Commission’s social equity program to increase participation by historically marginalized groups in the legal cannabis industry. The bill also mandates minimum annual grants to three specific organizations ($250,000 to The EON Foundation, $500,000 to the Coalition for an Equitable Economy, and $500,000 to Mass CultivatED) for technical assistance and business support.
This bill directs 50% of Massachusetts' cannabis tax revenue to a Community Reinvestment Fund. It specifically allocates these funds to communities disproportionately impacted by historical drug enforcement policies, particularly communities of color. The key mechanism is a mandatory revenue share from cannabis taxes, managed through the fund to support local economic development and social services. The bill directly affects eligible communities across Massachusetts that have faced systemic harms from the "war on drugs." This is a revenue allocation measure, not a change to cannabis laws or regulations.
Report of the Office of the Comptroller (pursuant to Section 5G of Chapter 29 of the General Laws) submitting its Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Gains Tax Revenue Transfers to the Stabilization Fund, the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund, and the Pension Liability Fund
This bill creates the Harbors and Inland Waters Maintenance Fund to support ongoing harbor and waterway upkeep in Massachusetts. It directs 0.05% of aviation fuel excise tax revenue (after reimbursements) into this fund, which will finance specific activities managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Key uses include continuous dredging, cleaning harbors/inland waters, removing sunken vessels and derelict piers, and maintaining state piers. The fund replaces a previously defunded account and ensures dedicated resources for navigation safety and waterway maintenance.
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.
This bill creates a new "Public Transportation Affordability Fund" managed by MassDOT to cover the cost of free public transit. The fund will be financed by 0.75% of business corporation tax revenue (starting in 2025), existing transit revenues, and investment income. It requires the MBTA and regional transit authorities to stop charging fares for all bus, rail, and commuter rail services immediately upon enactment. The fund eliminates the need for annual budget votes to cover these free rides, directly affecting transit riders and the businesses paying the designated tax.
