HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3757        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2716

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Nicholas A. Boldyga and Paul W. Mark

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to the town of Blandford volunteer fire department.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Nicholas A. Boldyga

3rd Hampden

1/19/2023

Paul W. Mark

Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire

8/23/2023


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3757        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2716

By Representative Boldyga of Southwick and Senator Mark, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2716) of Nicholas A. Boldyga and Paul W. Mark that the town of Blandford be authorized to establish a program for certain members of the Blandford volunteer fire department to reduce the real property tax obligations or the motor vehicle and trailer excise tax obligations of such volunteers in exchange for their volunteer service.  Revenue.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act relative to the town of Blandford volunteer fire department.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the select board of the town of Blandford may establish a program for the firefighters, line officers and deputy chiefs of the Blandford volunteer fire department to reduce the real property tax obligations or the motor vehicle and trailer excise tax obligations of such volunteers in exchange for their volunteer services. Any reduction so provided shall be in addition to any exemption or abatement to which such persons are otherwise entitled; provided, however, that no reduction of a real property tax bill shall be granted which exceeds $250 in a tax year. (b) The town shall maintain a record for each program participant including, but not limited to, the total amount by which a tax obligation thereof has been reduced and the criteria used to determine such tax reduction. The town shall provide a copy of such record to the assessor so that the participant’s tax bill reflects the reduced rate. The town shall also provide a copy of such record to the program participant receiving the reduced tax rate prior to the issuance of the actual tax bill. (c) The select board may adopt rules and procedures to implement this act.

SECTION 2. The amount by which a person’s tax liability is reduced under section 1 shall not be considered income, wages or employment for purposes of taxation as provided by chapter 62 of the General Laws, withholding taxes as provided by chapter 62B of the General Laws, workers’ compensation as provided by chapter 152 of the General Laws or any other general law to the contrary. A person participating in the program authorized by section 1 shall be a public employee for the purposes of chapter 258 of the General Laws.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.