HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 6232        FILED ON: 6/17/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Bud L. Williams

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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 establishing a special commission to study property tax relief and local aid reform.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 6232        FILED ON: 6/17/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act establishing a special commission to study property tax relief and local aid reform.

 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. There shall be a special legislative commission to study the commonwealth’s system of local property taxes. The commission shall: (i) explore how municipalities could reduce or phase out parts of the property tax system; (ii) examine how the commonwealth could increase local aid to cities and towns to help communities reduce dependence on local property taxes without undermining local services; (iii) consider the effect on such a reduction or phase out on taxpayers, property owners, business owners, municipalities and local services and other stakeholders; (iv) and study any other matters the commission deems relevant.

 SECTION 2. The commission shall consist of 13 members: the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on revenue or their designees; 1 member of the house who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house; 1 member of the senate who shall be appointed by the senate president; 1 member of the house who shall be appointed by the house minority leader; and 1 member of the senate who shall be appointed by the senate minority leader; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Inc. as its representative; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Inc. as its representative; 1 representative of the department of revenue, to be appointed by the commissioner of revenue; and 4 members to be appointed by the governor, who shall have expertise in tax policy or municipal budgeting.

 SECTION 3. The commission shall hold no fewer than 3 public hearings to gather input from stakeholders and advocates, including taxpayers, municipal officials, tax policy experts, budgeting experts, homeowners, business owners and state officials. The commission shall hold the public hearings in geographically diverse locations around the commonwealth.

 SECTION 4. Not later than June 30, 2027, the commission shall submit a report on its findings, together with any recommendations for legislative or policy changes, to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on revenue.