Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1240: An Act related to a universal basic income pilot

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2032) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to a universal basic income pilot. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds UBI pilot through state budget allocation, advancing public service funding per topic indicators.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1229: 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 & TaxesBill creates a graduated deed excise tax to generate revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates graduated deed excise tax revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing housing affordability goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1189: An Act relative to taxes due upon the death of active duty personnel and the elderly

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2010) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation relative to taxes due upon the death of active duty personnel and the elderly. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces tax burden for active duty personnel and elderly upon death, aligning with tax relief support indicator for vulnerable groups.90% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 693: An Act creating the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest Trust Fund

This bill creates the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest Trust Fund to support recreational, educational, and conservation activities within Manuel F. Correllus State Forest. The fund will collect revenue from permits, licenses, and agreements related to forest use - instead of directing these fees to the state’s general budget - and use them for facility construction and maintenance. It specifically requires that fees generated by forest activities be dedicated to this trust fund for infrastructure improvements. The fund cannot be depleted through spending, ensuring dedicated resources for the forest’s upkeep. This directly affects the forest’s operations and users who pay associated fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects forest-related fees to a dedicated trust fund for forest maintenance instead of general budget, promoting fiscal responsibility and targeted funding for conservation programs.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates dedicated fund for forest conservation, recreational, and educational activities within Manuel F. Correllus State Forest, directly advancing environmental protection through resource allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1353: An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty

HD 1353 increases monthly benefits for low-income households receiving state assistance programs. It mandates a 20% annual benefit increase starting July 1, 2025, until payments reach 50% of the federal poverty level for each household size. Once this target is met, benefits will automatically adjust each July to maintain at least 50% of the federal poverty level. The bill also includes adjustments for clothing allowances and rental costs for eligible households. This directly affects low-income families relying on these state assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 20% annual state spending increases for low-income assistance until benefits reach 50% of federal poverty level, directly expanding government appropriations for social programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases state benefits for low-income households with specific rental cost adjustments, directly boosting affordable housing affordability through enhanced housing expense support.90% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 6, 2025

H 51: An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill appropriates $425 million from the General Fund to provide supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, directly affecting families experiencing homelessness. Key provisions require these funds to be used for specific housing-related services outlined in prior legislation and allow transfers to state agencies or workforce programs supporting this population. The bill also makes technical changes to eligibility rules for the emergency housing assistance program, specifying that families with children or pregnant women may remain eligible for up to six consecutive months of aid (removing prior restrictions on weekly terminations). These funds are available through June 2026 and must follow existing laws governing public fund disbursement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $425M from General Fund to fund housing services for unhoused families, directly increasing public service funding as a core budget action.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $425M for supportive housing services and safe shelter for unhoused families, directly addressing homelessness through funding and program support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4594: An Act relative to the establishment of a Milton means-tested property tax exemption

HD 4594 creates a property tax exemption for seniors in Milton who own and live in their homes as their primary residence. To qualify, applicants must be 65+ (or jointly with a 65+ spouse) and have owned their Milton home for 10+ consecutive years, meet income limits tied to the circuit breaker income tax credit, and pass asset tests. The exemption covers 50-100% of the applicant’s prior year’s circuit breaker credit amount, but cannot reduce taxes by more than 50%. Applicants must reapply yearly with income and asset documentation, and the town sets the exact exemption amount annually within budget limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides targeted property tax relief for qualifying seniors via exemption tied to circuit breaker credit, aligning with tax relief for lower-income residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 24, 2025

HD 4578: An Act repealing the sales tax on boats built or rebuilt in the Commonwealth

By Representative Kearney of Scituate, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Patrick Joseph Kearney relative to repealing the sales tax on boats built or rebuilt in the Commonwealth. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals sales tax on boats, providing tax relief and reducing government revenue from this source, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2942: An Act relative to a refundable Title 5 septic tax credit

HD 2942 creates a refundable tax credit for Massachusetts homeowners who must repair, replace, or upgrade their septic systems or cesspools, or connect to a sewer system under environmental regulations. The credit covers 60% of eligible costs (up to $30,000 total) for work required by Title 5 of the state environmental code or related permits, with a maximum annual credit of $4,000 that can be carried forward for up to five years, totaling $18,000. Homeowners who are not dependents of another taxpayer and have not claimed this credit for the same property before qualify. The credit is refundable, meaning it can reduce tax liability to zero and the state will pay any remaining credit amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable tax credit for septic repairs, providing direct tax relief to homeowners, aligning with middle-income tax support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 2, 2025

H 739: An Act relative to MSBA school funding

By Representative Vaughn of Wrentham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 739) of Marcus S. Vaughn relative to School Building Advisory Board funding. Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state budget resources to MSBA school building projects, directly funding public education infrastructure as a government spending priority.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directly addresses MSBA school funding, providing financial support for school infrastructure and operations, aligning with educational funding initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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