By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 991) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to create a interagency supportive housing finance and strategy board to end and prevent homelessness. Housing.
Maddy summaryMassachusetts bill SD 1327 requires transportation agencies to align regional and statewide transportation plans with the state's emissions and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction goals. It mandates that all transportation plans include 20-year emissions and VMT impact assessments, and that projects must incorporate localized "mitigation measures" (like transit expansions, active transportation infrastructure, or land-use changes) prioritized for communities directly affected by the project. The bill directly affects metropolitan planning organizations and state transportation agencies, requiring them to demonstrate compliance with existing emissions sublimits and VMT reduction targets set under Chapter 21N. These targets, established by the Secretary of Transportation, must be integrated into all transportation planning documents and public hearings.
Maddy summaryHD 2201 requires the state's Uniform State Plumbing Code to include regulations allowing gender-neutral bathrooms in all buildings covered by the state building code. This applies to both new construction and renovations, mandating facilities with multiple separated fixtures (toilets, urinals, showers) and separate or grouped handwashing stations. The bill directly affects building owners, architects, and contractors who must comply with these plumbing code requirements for any public or commercial space.
By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 962) of Brendan P. Crighton, Manny Cruz, Mike Connolly, Sal N. DiDomenico and others for legislation to promote Yes in My Back Yard. Housing.
By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2104) of Michael D. Brady, Vanna Howard, Jacob R. Oliveira and James K. Hawkins for legislation to strengthen the taxpayer protection act. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law regarding public construction contracts by changing disclosure rules for contractor applications. It specifically removes financial information from being considered "public record" in applications for a certificate of eligibility and update statements, while keeping other application details public. The change directly affects contractors seeking public construction work who must submit these applications. The key mechanism is a precise textual amendment to two sections of Chapter 149, ensuring financial details remain confidential under the law.
Maddy summaryMassachusetts Bill SD 1573 establishes the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), providing rental assistance to low-income households (with 75% of vouchers targeted to households earning 30% or less of area median income) to help them afford decent, stable housing. The program sets payment standards at 100-110% of local market rent rates, limits tenant rent payments to 30% of income (with a temporary 40% exception), and requires unit inspections for safety compliance. It mandates annual data collection on voucher usage, including household demographics and location, to be reported to state legislators. The bill also sets a minimum $80 monthly administrative fee per voucher and ensures unspent funds carry over to the next fiscal year.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study how Massachusetts public schools teach about the history of slavery and racism. The commission will examine current curriculum practices and recommend changes, including requiring all middle and high school districts to add a unit on slavery history using the state's existing curriculum framework. The commission must include educators, lawmakers, and legal experts, and will submit its report with recommendations by November 30, 2025. This is a procedural measure to guide future curriculum decisions, not an immediate law change.
Senate, December 8, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1010) of Liz Miranda, Sal N. DiDomenico and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to create a permanent affordability homeownership program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2762).
Maddy summarySD 988 creates a state program to fund permanently affordable homeownership units for low- and moderate-income buyers (defined as 70-120% of area median income). Administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, the program requires units to remain affordable for at least 99 years and limits projects to 1-25 units, including within mixed-use developments. Funds can only support new homeownership units meeting income and affordability criteria. Annual reports will detail funded projects, grant amounts, units created, and affordability levels.
