Sen. Vanna Howard

Maddy summaryThis bill increases excise taxes on specific goods in Massachusetts to generate revenue for climate change adaptation and affordable housing. The additional funds collected are directed into three separate trust funds: one for climate resilience projects, another for affordable housing development, and a third for preserving existing housing. The legislation also mandates that climate-related investments prioritize communities facing environmental justice challenges. By adjusting tax rates and specifying fund allocations, the bill aims to secure dedicated resources for infrastructure and housing needs without changing the underlying tax structure itself.

By Representative Montaño of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2893) of Samantha Montaño and others relative to freezing of the rate and valuation of taxes on real income to protect elder housing. Revenue.

By Representative Montaño of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2894) of Samantha Montaño and others for legislation to increase the deeds excise to fund emergency assistance needs of certain low income tenants and homeowners. Revenue.

By Representative Livingstone of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2876) of Jay D. Livingstone and others relative to the community investment tax credit. Revenue.

By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2747) of Mike Connolly and others for legislation to support affordable housing with a local option for a fee to be applied to certain real estate transactions. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to exempt low-income veterans from paying excise taxes on one personal motor vehicle in Massachusetts. To qualify, a veteran must have an annual income at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level and must own or lease the vehicle for noncommercial use. Once an assessor grants this exemption, the veteran does not need to reapply in future years unless their income or vehicle ownership status changes. The legislation directly affects veterans who meet these specific financial and ownership criteria, relieving them of a specific vehicle registration fee.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to choose whether to implement local rent control and eviction protections for multi-family housing. Under the new Tenant Protection Act, municipalities that opt in can regulate rents and require landlords to provide specific reasons, such as non-payment or lease violations, before evicting tenants. The law includes exemptions for owner-occupied homes with three or fewer units, newly constructed buildings, and certain specialized facilities like dormitories and hospitals. Additionally, the bill permits local governments to set fair return standards for landlords and establish administrative bodies to oversee these regulations and assist small property owners.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to pass local laws that limit how much landlords can raise rents and restrict when they can evict tenants. Municipalities would adopt these rules by voting to accept the chapter and then creating specific ordinances that cap annual rent increases at the lower of the Consumer Price Index or 5 percent. The protections apply to most rental units but exclude small owner-occupied buildings, dormitories, elderly care facilities, and new buildings with a recent occupancy certificate. Additionally, the bill requires that evictions or lease non-renewals only happen for specific reasons such as unpaid rent, lease violations, criminal activity, or the owner converting the unit to a cooperative.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the City of Boston to set rent limits for specific apartments that were previously owned, insured, or subsidized by the government. It directly affects low-income residents, particularly the elderly and disabled, living in these units by protecting them from displacement due to rising rents or expiring subsidies. The law authorizes the city to create an ordinance regulating these rents whenever federal or state preemption rules no longer block such action. Essentially, it gives Boston the power to maintain affordability in government-linked housing stock to address the local housing crisis.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "An Act enabling local options for tenant protections," amends Massachusetts law to allow cities and towns to choose whether to implement specific local tenant protections. Under the new provisions, municipalities that opt in can regulate rent and evictions in multi-family housing, provided they also establish fair return standards for property owners and exclude owner-occupied homes with three or fewer units. The legislation defines "just cause" evictions, permitting landlords to end tenancies only for specific reasons such as non-payment of rent, lease violations, or illegal activity. Additionally, the bill allows local communities to set income-based eligibility requirements for regulated units and create administrative bodies to oversee these programs and assist small landlords. Ultimately, the act shifts the decision-making power regarding these housing measures to individual municipalities rather than mandating them statewide.