Budget & Taxes

passed both · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 1933: An Act to prevent property tax bill shocks

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1933) of William N. Brownsberger for legislation to prevent property tax bill shocks. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents sudden property tax increases, protecting homeowners from financial shocks, aligning with fiscal responsibility in tax policy.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prevents property tax shocks, supporting property rights (a housing policy aspect) by protecting owners from financial instability due to unpredictable tax burdens.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Aug 11, 2025

H 4373: An Act encouraging the donation of food to persons in need

H 4373 creates a tax credit for Massachusetts food businesses (like restaurants, farms, and grocery stores) that donate food to qualified nonprofits serving the needy. Donors can claim a credit equal to the fair market value of donated food (up to $25,000 annually), provided the nonprofit distributes it free or at cost with proper certification. The bill also provides legal liability protection for donors and distributors of donated food (including expired items), shielding them from civil damages unless the food was misbranded, handled negligently, or violated health regulations. It excludes alcohol, marijuana, and dietary supplements from coverage. This law directly affects food businesses, nonprofits, and food distribution programs across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for food businesses (reducing tax liability) to encourage donations, directly impacting taxation policy to support nonprofit food distribution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3128: An Act relative to improving the efficiency of the state low income housing tax credit

This bill (HD 3715) updates Massachusetts law to clarify who can receive low-income housing tax credits. It replaces the term "owner" with "allocatee" throughout relevant statutes, defining an "allocatee" as either a property owner or a taxpayer committing funds to a qualified housing project. This change directly affects investors and developers who provide capital for affordable housing projects but don't own the property. The key mechanism is simply updating legal definitions to include these funding providers as eligible recipients of tax credits. The bill makes no new policy changes but streamlines the existing program's administration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill improves efficiency of low-income housing tax credit, a fiscal tool supporting affordable housing development through tax incentives.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill improves efficiency of low income housing tax credit, a core funding mechanism for affordable housing development and preservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 22, 2026

S 1971: An Act creating a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1971) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to create a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates graduated deed tax to generate revenue specifically for affordable housing, directly funding a public service program through fiscal means.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates graduated deed excise tax revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing housing affordability goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 29, 2026

S 1970: An Act providing renter relief tax credit

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1970) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to provide an increase in the renter relief tax credit. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases renter relief tax credit, providing direct tax relief for lower-income renters, aligning with fiscal support for middle/lower income through tax policy.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly increases renter relief tax credit, directly advancing affordable housing and providing tenant financial relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 2, 2025

SD 2614: An Act establishing offices of legislative research and fiscal analysis

By Ms. Lovely (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Elizabeth Bradt, Julie Breskin, Jeff Gross, Ian McLeod and others for legislation to establish offices of legislative research and fiscal analysis. Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates offices for fiscal analysis, promoting informed budget decisions and fiscal responsibility per topic description.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 2, 2026

H 3198: An Act relative to senior tax credits

This bill (HD 4198) is a draft titled "An Act relative to senior tax credits" currently being worked on by House Counsel. The provided context does not include the bill's specific provisions, policy details, or who it would directly affect. Since no substantive text or summary is available in the given materials, no factual description of its mechanisms or policy changes can be provided. As a draft, it has not been enacted or finalized.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits for seniors, reducing their tax burden - clear tax relief support per indicators.95% confidence

Tags Seniors

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Sep 17, 2025

H 4003: An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

HD 4540 is a budget bill requesting funding for the state's fiscal year 2025. It proposes supplementing existing state agency budgets and funding specific projects, as submitted by the Governor. This bill directly affects state agencies and programs that receive state funding by providing additional budget resources. The bill itself is procedural, focusing solely on allocating financial resources rather than changing laws or policies. No specific programs or affected groups are detailed in the provided abstract.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes appropriations for FY2025, directly funding government operations and projects per budget category. No tax changes or defunding mentioned.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3208: An Act establishing a sales tax on digital advertising services

This bill imposes a 6.25% sales tax on digital advertising services targeting users in Massachusetts, collected by vendors at the time of sale. It directly affects digital advertisers (vendors) selling to Massachusetts-based audiences, with small vendors earning under $2.5 million annually in such sales exempt. Revenue funds three equal programs: local community TV access (via Dept. of Telecommunications), public health campaigns on safe social media use (via DPH), and AI tools for education (via DESE), after covering 5% in administrative costs. The tax takes effect January 1, 2027, with grants beginning in 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes new sales tax on digital advertising to generate state revenue, directly advancing budget funding through taxation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 2082: An Act relative to the taxation of rolling stock for trucking and railcars

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2082) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to the taxation of rolling stock for trucking and railcars. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly establishes taxation on rolling stock for revenue, directly addressing tax policy under Budget & Taxes topic.90% confidence

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