Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 3132: An Act providing volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians with a local option real estate tax exemption

By Representative Howitt of Seekonk, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3132) of Steven S. Howitt, Susannah M. Whipps and Joanne M. Comerford relative to providing volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians with a local option real estate tax exemption. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemption for volunteer first responders, reducing property tax burden - aligns with tax relief for community members in middle/lower income brackets.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 22, 2025

S 1972: An Act to allow cities and towns to increase the local tax rate on meals

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1972) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to allow cities and towns to increase the local tax rate on meals. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allows local tax rate increase on meals, directly addressing taxation and generating revenue, advancing Budget & Taxes topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3022: An Act providing for property tax relief for small business owners

By Representative Ayers of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3022) of Bruce J. Ayers relative to providing property tax relief for small business owners. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly provides property tax relief for small business owners, reducing their tax burden under taxation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tags Small Business

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 13, 2026

S 1430: An Act to promote Yes in God's Back Yard

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1430) of Brendan P. Crighton and Vanna Howard for legislation relative to the taxation of certain land and zoning ordinances owned by religious organizations. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill targets taxation of religious land, closing a potential tax exemption loophole to increase revenue, aligning with fiscal responsibility.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 30, 2025

S 1440: An Act ensuring municipal access to state funding

By Ms. Dooner, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1440) of Kelly A. Dooner and Steven S. Howitt for legislation ensuring municipalities access to state funding and financial assistance. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill ensures municipalities access to state funding, directly supporting budget allocation for local government services and fiscal management.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 9, 2026

S 2694: An Act promoting fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles

By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2694) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Paul W. Mark, Joanne M. Comerford and Joan B. Lovely for legislation to promote fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax treatment adjustments for zero-emission vehicles, constituting tax relief/incentive under fiscal policy.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes zero-emission vehicles via tax incentives, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing clean transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes tax incentives for zero-emission vehicles, directly reducing transportation emissions and advancing clean energy adoption per environmental indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes tax fairness for zero-emission vehicles, advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure as per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Vehicle Registration

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 18, 2026

H 4722: An Act promoting fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles

By Representatives Sangiolo of Newton and Gentile of Sudbury, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Amy Mah Sangiolo relative to taxes for zero-emission vehicles. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes tax treatment changes for zero-emission vehicles, directly impacting taxation policy through potential tax relief or incentives, aligning with 'provides tax relief' indicator.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes tax incentives for zero-emission vehicles, directly reducing transportation emissions and supporting clean energy adoption per title and summary.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes zero-emission vehicles through tax incentives, advancing sustainable transportation policies per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 17, 2025

S 393: An Act relative to the net school spending cap

This bill adjusts the net school spending cap for Massachusetts public school districts. It sets a 9% spending cap for districts that move out of the lowest 10% spending category, unless they previously spent above 9%, in which case the cap remains at their prior spending level. The bill also prevents the state from approving new charter school seats from districts that exited the lowest 10% category with spending above 9%, and requires the state to cover tuition costs for students enrolled in charter schools from those districts without deducting from the district's state aid. These changes specifically affect school districts and charter schools, particularly those transitioning out of the lowest spending category.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSets 9% school spending cap to promote fiscal responsibility, directly managing state budget allocation for public schools.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill imposes 9% spending cap on districts exiting lowest spending category, restricting funding flexibility and preventing new charter seats for certain districts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending School Choice

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 17, 2025

H 434: An Act relative to apportionment of lottery revenues

By Representatives Mahoney of Worcester and Garcia of Chelsea, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 434) of John J. Mahoney and Judith A. Garcia relative to apportionment of lottery revenues. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs apportionment of lottery revenues (a state budgetary revenue source) for allocation, advancing fiscal management within state budget framework without tax changes or defunding.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 12, 2026

H 4297: An Act relative to the Lowell Mason Act to mandate a percentage of Chapter 70 funds for Arts Education Programs

This bill (H 4297) mandates that a specific percentage of Chapter 70 state education funds must be allocated to arts education programs in Massachusetts public schools. It directly affects school districts receiving Chapter 70 funding by requiring them to dedicate a defined portion of those resources to arts education, aligning with the Lowell Mason Act's goals. The key provision is the mandatory allocation requirement, shifting how districts use a portion of their state education funding. This policy change ensures dedicated financial support for arts programs within the public school system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates reallocation of existing Chapter 70 funds to arts education, increasing program funding within current budget structure.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific percentage of Chapter 70 funds for arts education programs, directly increasing dedicated funding for arts curriculum in public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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