This bill appropriates $425 million from the General Fund for supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, supplementing existing housing programs. It requires emergency housing applicants to disclose unsealed criminal convictions (excluding sealed/expunged records) and mandates criminal background checks before program placement. The bill limits eligibility for families with no other children to six consecutive months of benefits, with extensions possible for documented hardships like domestic violence, veteran status, or disabilities. It also requires translated informational handouts about resources and benefit duration for recipients, applying to the emergency housing assistance program.
This bill (HD 2330) requires state funding and permitting preferences for urban agriculture projects located in or within one mile of "environmental justice municipalities." It directly affects community gardens, urban farms, and related projects seeking state support in qualifying neighborhoods. The bill defines "environmental justice municipalities" using specific criteria, including low median household income (≤65% of state average), high minority populations (≥40%), or limited English proficiency (≥25% of households). Key provisions amend existing law (Section 1) to prioritize these projects and establish the new definition (Section 2) to identify eligible communities.
HD 2361 creates a state-funded Suburban Infrastructure Fund to support smaller municipalities. It directly affects cities and towns with fewer than 50,000 residents, providing them with grants to improve public infrastructure like roads, bridges, and sidewalks. The fund, administered by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, must receive at least $250 million annually from the state budget, with all allocated funds used for specific qualifying projects through a grant process. Unspent funds in the account do not return to the state’s general budget at year-end.
By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1985) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to 100% disabled veteran excise tax exemptions. Revenue.
H 4144 creates a new funding mechanism to support building decarbonization and energy efficiency programs across Massachusetts. It imposes a 2.5 mills per kilowatt-hour charge on electricity consumers (excluding municipal light plant users) and pools funds from cap-and-trade programs and other sources to finance these initiatives. The law requires 20% of these funds to target low-income residential buildings, with additional priority for moderate-income households, renters, and small businesses. Electric distribution companies and municipal energy groups must submit a statewide decarbonization plan every three years, detailing cost-effective programs to reduce fossil fuel use and energy costs while meeting greenhouse gas targets.
By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2073) of Michael F. Rush, Paul McMurtry and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation relative to veterans tax exemptions. Revenue.
By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1962) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. relative to excluding student loan forgiveness from taxable income for permanently and totally disabled veterans. Revenue.
By Representative Ayers of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3021) of Bruce J. Ayers relative to certain sales tax exemptions for veterans’ organizations. Revenue.
By Representative Hunt of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3140) of Daniel J. Hunt and Bruce J. Ayers relative to exempting certain veterans’ organizations from state and local meals tax. Revenue.
By Representative MacGregor of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3175) of William F. MacGregor relative to increasing access for veterans tax exemptions. Revenue.
