This bill authorizes Provincetown to charge a 0.5% fee on all real estate transfers within the town, paid directly by the property buyer. The fee applies to most sales, but excludes first-time homebuyers (who must live in the home 5+ years), government transfers, family transfers, charitable organizations, and low-value transactions. The first $250,000 collected annually funds Provincetown's capital improvement stabilization fund, with remaining revenue going to the town's general fund. The fee is due at closing, with interest accruing on late payments, and is considered a personal debt of the buyer.
SD 2058 creates a framework for cities and towns to establish Municipal Creative Space Preservation Trust Funds. The bill defines "creative space" as areas used for creating, practicing, or exhibiting art by artists, creative workers, or artisans, and "presentation space" for showcasing such work. These trust funds can accept donations, buy property, and enforce legal restrictions to preserve affordable spaces for artists, preventing conversion to non-creative uses. The law specifically aims to maintain affordability for low- or moderate-income artists through property use restrictions. Cities adopting this can use zoning fees and private contributions to fund these preservation efforts.
HD 3435 establishes a Municipal Creative Space Trust Fund to help cities and towns preserve affordable spaces for artists and creative workers. The bill defines "creative space" as areas primarily used for artistic creation and practice (like studios or workshops) and "presentation space" for showcasing art, while allowing land use restrictions - such as resale price controls - to maintain affordability for low- and moderate-income artists. Municipalities can use zoning fees, private contributions, and general revenues to fund the trust, which may purchase, lease, or maintain properties meeting these definitions to support the local creative economy.
This bill changes voting requirements for local zoning decisions in Massachusetts towns and cities. It allows municipalities to lower the voting threshold from a two-thirds majority to a simple majority for adopting or changing zoning ordinances, by-laws, or amendments. However, any switch to a simple majority vote must be approved by the current voting body and cannot take effect for six months after the vote. This directly affects town councils, city councils, and town meetings that make zoning decisions.
This bill requires window guards in residential homes where children under six live on the third floor or higher, directly affecting landlords and homeowners in multi-story buildings. Landlords must install and provide window guards at no cost to tenants, with fines of $500-$1,000 for discrimination against renters. It establishes a Department of Public Health program to educate families about window fall risks and provide technical assistance for prevention. Violations, such as obstructing installations, can incur civil penalties up to $10,000.
This bill creates the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Authority and establishes the Massachusetts Green Jobs Loan Fund to provide loans for energy efficiency upgrades in residential, multi-family, and non-residential buildings. Repayment for these loans occurs through on-bill recovery charges added directly to customers' utility bills, with residential projects initially receiving at least half of the fund's resources. Utility companies must implement billing systems for these charges within 300 days, starting with a limit of 0.5% of their customers, and receive fees to cover program costs. The authority can adjust the customer cap or suspend the program if significant arrears or disconnections occur.
This bill adds a $80 surcharge to most property documents recorded by registers of deeds (and $40 for municipal lien certificates), with an extra $80 per additional reference to other documents. It exempts homestead declarations, public agency mortgages, and specific filings like sewer assessments. All surcharges fund the Massachusetts Community Preservation Trust Fund, supporting local housing and open space projects. The fee changes apply to individuals and businesses recording deeds, mortgages, or liens, but exclude certain government-related filings.
HD 3296 creates a refundable tax credit for Massachusetts first-time homebuyers who use capital gains from selling investments to cover their down payment. The credit amount equals the lesser of the capital gains tax owed on the sale or the down payment amount, directly benefiting eligible buyers. To qualify, the capital funds must be liquidated within 60 days before the property transfer. This bill specifically affects Massachusetts residents who haven't owned a home in the past three years and use investment proceeds for a primary residence down payment.
HD 1724 allows Massachusetts municipalities to create programs freezing property tax rates and valuations for qualifying elderly homeowners or disabled residents. It directly affects seniors aged 65+ (or disabled individuals, regardless of age) who own and live in their home as their primary residence, have lived in the town for 10 consecutive years, and meet income and asset limits set by the local government. Key provisions require applicants to submit proof by the annual deadline, with towns able to deny applications if assets exceed local thresholds. The tax freeze applies in addition to existing exemptions but does not remove properties from municipal tax rolls.
HD 288 creates new leave protections for contract workers (e.g., staffing agency employees) who are victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or kidnapping. It allows up to 15 days of unpaid leave per year for purposes like seeking medical care, legal help, court appearances, or securing housing related to the abuse. Employers must permit this leave but can decide if it’s paid, require documentation (such as a protective order or sworn statement from a professional), and must keep all related information confidential. The bill specifically excludes regular employees (covered under existing law) and requires contract workers to use other available leave first before taking this leave.
