Rep. Thomas Moakley

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 5474) formally names asparagus as the official vegetable of the Commonwealth. It has no policy impact or effect on any specific group, as it is purely a ceremonial designation. The bill adds a single line to state law stating "Asparagus shall be the official vegetable of the commonwealth." It does not create new regulations, funding, or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the regional lockup in Dukes County as an official part of the county jail. The change is administrative and affects how the facility is classified within the state's legal framework. By adding a specific sentence to existing law, the measure ensures the lockup is treated consistently with the main jail for administrative purposes.

Maddy summaryHD 3390 modifies Massachusetts tax law to address income from foreign entities. It specifies that amounts included in federal income under Section 951A of the IRS Code (related to global intangible low-taxed income) will no longer be treated as dividends for state tax purposes, and taxpayers can only deduct 50% of this income instead of the full amount. This primarily affects businesses and individuals with foreign income subject to Section 951A provisions. The changes apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHD 5683 allows the Town of Falmouth to use town funds to pay back property owners for costs of installing low-pressure pumps on their private property. These pumps are required to connect to the town's sewer system in any future sewer service areas. The Select Board must set a uniform payment amount for all properties after the pumps are installed and inspected by the town wastewater superintendent. This bill directly affects property owners in newly developed sewer areas who need these pumps for connection.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a real estate transfer fee on residential property sales in Falmouth where the purchase price is $1 million or more. Sellers pay a graduated fee: 1% on amounts over $1 million up to $1.5 million, plus additional percentages for higher tiers (e.g., 1.5% on amounts over $1.5 million up to $2 million, and 2% above $2 million). All collected fees go directly to the Falmouth Affordable Housing Fund, which uses them for affordable housing projects. Exemptions include government transfers, family sales, charitable organizations, and properties under existing affordable housing restrictions. The fee applies to residential transfers only, with sellers required to submit documentation verifying the purchase price and fee amount.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Town of Nantucket to impose a 0.5% fee on the sale of real estate within Nantucket County. The fee is paid by the seller (not the buyer) and funds must be deposited into a dedicated Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The money will directly support affordable and workforce housing projects and related capital improvements. Exemptions include transfers to government entities, but the seller must prove exemption claims to avoid the fee.

Maddy summaryHD 3381 establishes a transfer fee on property sales in Dukes County towns (Martha’s Vineyard) to fund year-round affordable housing preservation. The bill requires purchasers to pay a fee of 0.5% to 2% on the portion of a property’s sale price exceeding a set threshold, with rates potentially varying by property type or price. The collected fees will support a regional housing trust fund managed by member towns to maintain properties as permanently affordable for low- and moderate-income households. This directly affects property buyers and sellers in Dukes County, with the fee applying to most real estate transactions to generate dedicated funding for housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to use eminent domain to acquire specific land parcels in Norwood owned by MPT of Norwood-Steward, LLC. The acquired land includes Norwood Hospital and any adjacent properties needed to support the project. After acquisition, the Division will transfer control of the land to the Department of Public Health, which will then assign it to a qualified nonprofit hospital operator. The stated goal is to ensure public access to healthcare, and the bill applies specifically to the town of Norwood and the named property owner.

Maddy summaryHD 1112 allows Massachusetts cities and towns to implement a real estate transfer fee on property sales to fund affordable housing. The fee, collected by settlement agents during property closings, would be directed to municipal or regional housing trust funds. These funds must be used for acquiring, constructing, rehabilitating, or preserving housing for low- and moderate-income households (as defined by HUD). The bill provides definitions for key terms like "affordable housing purposes" and "settlement agent" to ensure consistent implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the town charter of Falmouth to change how the town clerk is selected, shifting the role from an elected position to one appointed by the town manager with approval from the town select board. The legislation abolishes the elected town clerk office immediately, allowing the current holder to finish their term before the new appointment process begins. Under the new rules, the town clerk will continue to manage official records, vital statistics, and licenses but will no longer be a candidate for public election. This change aligns the clerk's hiring with other administrative roles in the town, placing the position on a specific non-union salary table.