HOUSE . . . . . . . No. 4432
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, June 27, 2016.
The committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Bill relative to job creation, workforce development and infrastructure investment (House, No. 4413), reports recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting therefor the accompanying bill (House, No. 4432).
For the committee,
ANTONIO F. D. CABRAL.
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4432
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)
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An Act relative to job creation, workforce development and infrastructure investment.
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. To provide for a program of economic development and job creation, the sums set forth in sections 2A, 2B and 2C, for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in this act, are hereby made available, subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds; provided, however, that the amounts specified in an item or for a particular project may be adjusted in order to facilitate projects authorized in this act. These sums shall be in addition to any amounts previously authorized and made available for these purposes; provided further, that in order to expedite these improvements, which are critical to the continued operation of the commonwealth, its economic well-being, and the immediate need for capital appropriation, the sums set forth in said sections 2A, 2B, and 2C shall not be available later than July 31, 2019 unless the governor requests that the state treasurer issue and sell bonds of the commonwealth for the sums authorized in said sections 2A, 2B and 2C on or before July 31, 2019; and provided further, that upon such a request, the governor shall file a report with the general court detailing the request and a capital plan.
SECTION 2A.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Office of the Secretary
7002-8006 For the MassWorks infrastructure program established by section 63 of chapter 23A of the General Laws …………………………………………. $300,000,000
7002-8007 For matching grants to enable institutions of higher education located in the commonwealth to participate in and receive federal funding from the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation …………………… $71,000,000
7002-8008 For a program administered by the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency for site assembly, site assessment, pre-development permitting and other pre-development and marketing activities that enhance a site’s readiness for commercial, industrial or mixed-use development; provided that a portion of such funds shall be used to facilitate the expansion or replication of successful industrial parks; and provided further that a portion of such funds shall be used to support the revitalization of downtown areas. ………………………….….……$15,000,000
7002-8009 For a program to be administered by the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency to make grants and loans to municipalities, private property owners and business operators for design, construction and, improvement of buildings and for equipment to spur innovation and entrepreneurship across the state, including but not limited to co-working spaces, innovation centers, maker spaces and artist spaces ………………… $15,000,000
7002-8010 For the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund established by section 29A of chapter 23G of the General Laws …………………..…………… $45,000,000
7002-8011 For the Transformative Development Fund established by section 46 of chapter 23G of the General Laws ……………………..………$45,000,000
7002-8012 For the Scientific and Technology Research and Development Matching Grant Fund established by section 4G of chapter 40J of the General Laws …………$15,000,000
7002-8013For the Advanced Manufacturing, Technology and Hospitality Training Trust Fund established in section 2OOOO of chapter 29 of the General Laws..............$30,000,000
7002-8014For the Massachusetts Food Trust Program established by section 65 of chapter 23A of the General Laws …………………..……… $6,000,000
7002-8015For the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation, established in section 3 of chapter 40J of the General Laws and doing business as the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, to create a cybersecurity and data analytics technology development and training center of excellence pursuant to section 95 ……………………..…. $4,500,000
SECTION 2B.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Department of Housing and Community Development
7004-8016For the Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund established by section 35AA of chapter 10 of the General Laws……………………….. $15,000,000
SECTION 2C.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Office of the Secretary
7009-2005For a competitive grant program to be administered by the executive office of education, in consultation with the executive office of housing and economic development and the executive office of labor and workforce development, to provide funding for the purchase and installation of equipment, and any related improvements and renovations to facilities necessary for the installation and use of such equipment, for the purpose of establishing, upgrading and expanding career technical education and training programs that are aligned to regional economic and workforce development priorities; provided further, that grant applications may facilitate collaboration to provide students enrolled in eligible vocational-technical schools with post-secondary opportunities, consistent with the principles recognized in subsection (o) of section 22 of chapter 15A and section 37A of chapter 74 of the General Laws; provided further, that innovation centers that receive funds from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center shall also be eligible for funds from this program; and provided further, that the executive office of education, in consultation with the executive office of housing and economic development and the executive office of labor and workforce development, shall adopt additional guidelines as necessary for the administration of the program……………….. $45,000,000
7009-2006 For competitive grants to cities, towns, regional school districts and institutions of public higher education for the establishment and implementation of early college high school programs; provided, that the programs shall support students who work simultaneously on the completion of a high school diploma from the partnering school district while also earning free college credits towards an associate degree or certificate at the partnering institution of higher education; provided further, that the programs shall provide full access to college support services, student activities and tutoring and shall ensure holistic wrap-around support which meets the academic, social and emotional needs of the student and shall ensure full access to the same for students with physical or learning disabilities; provided further, that in awarding these grants, preference shall be given to innovative joint proposals, developed by partnering school districts, colleges and local and regional nonprofits where appropriate; and provided further, that the grants shall be awarded, to the extent feasible, in a manner that reflects geographic and demographic diversity……….……………..$2,400,000
SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, to meet the expenditures necessary in carrying out section 2A, the state treasurer shall, upon receipt of a request by the governor, issue and sell bonds of the commonwealth in an amount to be specified by the governor from time to time but not exceeding, in the aggregate, $546,500,000; provided, however, that such request by the governor shall be made on or before July 31, 2019. All bonds issued by the commonwealth, as aforesaid, shall be designated on their face, Commonwealth Economic Development Act of 2016, and shall be issued for a maximum term of years, not exceeding 30 years, as the governor may recommend to the general court pursuant to Section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution; provided, however, that all such bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2049. All interest and payments on account of principal on such obligations shall be payable from the General Fund. Bonds and interest thereon issued under the authority of this section shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this act, be general obligations of the commonwealth.
SECTION 4. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, to meet the expenditures necessary in carrying out section 2B, the state treasurer shall, upon receipt of a request by the governor, issue and sell bonds of the commonwealth in an amount to be specified by the governor from time to time but not exceeding, in the aggregate, $15,000,000; provided, however, that such request by the governor shall be made on or before July 31, 2019. All bonds issued by the commonwealth, as aforesaid, shall be designated on their face, Commonwealth Economic Development Act of 2016, and shall be issued for a maximum term of years, not exceeding 30 years, as the governor may recommend to the general court pursuant to Section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution; provided, however, that all such bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2049. All interest and payments on account of principal on such obligations shall be payable from the General Fund. Bonds and interest thereon issued under the authority of this section shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this act, be general obligations of the commonwealth.
SECTION 5. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, to meet the expenditures necessary in carrying out section 2C, the state treasurer shall, upon receipt of a request by the governor, issue and sell bonds of the commonwealth in an amount to be specified by the governor from time to time but not exceeding, in the aggregate, $47,400,000; provided, however, that such request by the governor shall be made on or before July 31, 2019. All bonds issued by the commonwealth, as aforesaid, shall be designated on their face, Commonwealth Economic Development Act of 2016, and shall be issued for a maximum term of years, not exceeding 30 years, as the governor may recommend to the general court pursuant to Section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution; provided, however, that all such bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2049. All interest and payments on account of principal on such obligations shall be payable from the General Fund. Bonds and interest thereon issued under the authority of this section shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this act, be general obligations of the commonwealth.
SECTION 6. Section 18 of chapter 21A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 269, the figure “3D” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 3G.
SECTION 7. Section 2 of chapter 21E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 80, the figure“3D” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 3G.
SECTION 8. Chapter 23A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out sections 3A to 3G inclusive and inserting in place thereof the following 9 sections:-
Section 3A.(a)The Economic Development Incentive Program shall be administered by the economic assistance coordinating council, under the oversight of the secretary of the executive office of housing and economic development, to provide incentives that stimulate job creation and investment of private capital and to promote economic growth and expand economic opportunity to all areas of the commonwealth. EDIP tax credits and other incentives shall be administered to stimulate job creation, attract new business activity and promote investment that would not otherwise occur in the commonwealth.
(b)As used in sections 3A to 3H, inclusive, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
“Affiliate”, any business which directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by or is under direct or indirect common control with another business, including, but without limitation, any business with whom a business is merged or consolidated, or which purchases all or substantially all of the assets of a business.
“Alternative EDIP tax credits”, tax credits that may be awarded to the controlling business of a certified project that has been designated as an extraordinary economic development opportunity, or to an affiliate of the controlling business, as allowed by paragraph (2) of subsection (g) of section 6 of chapter 62, or subsection (b) of section 38N of chapter 63.
“Business”, a corporation, partnership, firm, unincorporated association or other entity engaging or proposing to engage in economic activity within the commonwealth, and any affiliate thereof, which is subject to taxation under chapter 62 or chapter 63.
“Certified project”, a proposed project that is certified by the economic assistance coordinating council pursuant to section 3C.
“Controlling business”, a business that owns, leases or has the power to direct the operation or management of all or a portion of a facility at which the business employs, or intends to employ, permanent full-time employees.
“Economic assistance coordinating council” or “EACC”, the council established pursuant to section 3B.
“EDIP contract”, a written and enforceable agreement between MOBD and the recipient of EDIP tax credits setting forth the amount of credits awarded, the schedule on which the credits may be claimed, any restriction on the carryover of unused credits, the consequences for failing to produce the projected new jobs or new investment, and such other terms and conditions as MOBD may in its discretion require.
“EDIP tax credits”, the tax credits authorized by the EACC pursuant to section 3D of this chapter and claimed by a taxpayer pursuant to subsection (g) of section (6) of chapter 62 or section 38N of chapter 63.
“Expansion of an existing facility”, the relocation of business functions and employees from one location in the commonwealth to another location in the commonwealth, or the expansion of an existing facility located in the commonwealth, provided that such relocation or expansion results in a net increase in the number of permanent full-time employees at the relocated or expanded facility.
“Extraordinary economic development opportunity”, a proposed project that is jointly designated by the secretary of the executive office of housing and economic development and the secretary of the executive office for administration and finance as an extraordinary economic development opportunity as provided in subsection (d) of section 3C.
“Facility”, the real property, which may include multiple buildings or locations, owned or leased, on which a business is undertaking or will undertake a commercial, manufacturing or industrial activity.
“Gateway municipality”, a municipality with a population greater than 35,000 and less than 250,000, a median household income below the commonwealth’s average and a rate of educational attainment of a bachelor’s degree or above that is below the commonwealth’s average.
“Material non-compliance”, the failure of a controlling business to substantially achieve the capital investment, job creation, job retention or other economic benefits set forth in the EDIP contract, or any other act, omission or misrepresentation by the controlling business that frustrates the public purpose of the economic development incentive program.
“MOBD”, the Massachusetts office of business development established in section 1.
“Municipal project endorsement”, an endorsement of a proposed project by the municipality in which a proposed project will be located, which must include (i) a finding by the municipality that the proposed project is consistent with the municipality’s economic development objectives; (ii) a finding by the municipality that the proponent of the proposed project has the means to undertake and complete the proposed project; (iii) a finding by the municipality that the proposed project will have a reasonable chance of increasing or retaining employment opportunities as advanced in the proposal; (iv) a determination by the municipality that the proposed project will not overburden the municipality’s infrastructure and other supporting resources; and (v) a description of the local tax incentive, if any, offered by the municipality in support of the proposed project, together with a copy of the fully executed tax increment financing agreement or agreement setting forth the terms of the special tax assessment, as applicable.
“Municipality”, a city or town in the commonwealth or, in a case in which two or more cities or towns agree to act jointly for some purpose hereunder then, collectively, all cities and towns participating in such a collaborative agreement.
“Permanent full-time employee”, an individual who is paid wages by a controlling business and who (i) at the inception of the employment relationship does not have a termination date which is either a date certain or determined with reference to the completion of some specified scope of work; (ii) works at least 35 hours per week; and (iii) receives employee benefits at least equal to those provided to other full-time employees of the controlling business. For purposes of this chapter, the term permanent full-time employee shall not include any contractors or part-time employees who may be included in a calculation of the controlling business’s full-time equivalent workforce.
“Proportion of compliance”, a fraction which has as its numerator the number of actual permanent full-time employees at a facility and which has as its denominator the number of permanent full-time employees required to be employed at the facility under the terms of an EDIP contract.
“Proposed project”, a proposal submitted by a controlling business to the EACC for designation as a certified project.
“Real estate project”, the construction, rehabilitation or improvement of one or more buildings or other structures on a parcel of real property, which, when completed, will result in an increase in the assessed value of the real property of at least 100 per cent over the assessed value of said real property prior to the project.
“Refundable credit”, a tax credit awarded pursuant to this chapter that is not limited by the amount of the controlling business’s tax liability and which may result in a payment from the department of revenue to the controlling business.
“Replacement of an existing facility”, the relocation of business functions and personnel from one facility located in the commonwealth to another facility in the commonwealth, or the improvement of an existing facility, provided that such relocation or improvement does not qualify as an expansion of the existing facility as defined in this chapter.
“Special tax assessment”, a temporary reduction in real property tax offered by a municipality and approved by the EACC in accordance with subsection (c) of section 3E of this chapter.
“Tax increment financing agreement”, a binding agreement between a municipality and a real property owner consistent with the requirements of subsection (b) of section 3E of this chapter, and with section 59 of chapter 40.
Section 3B. (a) There shall be an economic assistance coordinating council established within MOBD consisting of: the secretary of the executive office of housing and economic development or the secretary’s designee, who shall serve as co-chairperson; the director of housing and community development or a designee, who shall serve as co-chairperson; a second person designated by the secretary of the executive office of housing and economic development; the director of career services or a designee; the secretary of labor and workforce development or a designee; the director of the office of business development or a designee; the president of the Commonwealth Corporation or a designee; and 7 persons to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be from the western region of the commonwealth, 1 of whom shall be from the central region of the commonwealth, 1 of whom shall be from the eastern region of the commonwealth, 1 of whom shall be from the southeastern region of the commonwealth, 1 of whom shall be from Cape Cod or the Islands, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a higher educational institution within the commonwealth and 1 of whom shall be from the Merrimack Valley, all of whom shall have expertise in issues pertaining to training, business relocation and inner-city and rural development, and all of whom shall be knowledgeable in public policy and international and state economic and industrial trends. Each member appointed by the governor shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The council shall adopt by-laws to govern its affairs.
(b) The EACC shall administer the economic development incentive program and, in so doing, shall be empowered to exercise the following powers and duties:
(1) promulgate regulations and adopt policies and guidance to effectuate the purposes of sections 3A to 3H, inclusive;
(2) certify projects for participation in the economic development incentive program and establish regulations for evaluating the proposals of said projects;
(3) certify and approve tax increment financing agreements and special tax assessments pursuant to section 3E and section 59 of chapter 40;
(4)authorize municipalities to apply to the foreign trade zone board for the privilege of establishing, operating and maintaining a foreign trade zone in accordance with section 3G;
(5) assist municipalities in obtaining state and federal resources and assistance for certified projects and other job creation and retention opportunities within the commonwealth;
(6) provide appropriate coordination with other state programs, agencies, authorities and public instrumentalities to enable certified projects and other job creation and retention opportunities to be more effectively promoted by the commonwealth; and
(7) monitor the implementation of the economic development incentive program.
(c) The secretary of the executive office of housing and economic development shall appoint within MOBD a director of economic assistance who shall be responsible for administering the EDIP in consultation with the secretary of the executive office of housing and economic development, the director of MOBD and the EACC. The director of economic assistance shall advise the EACC on matters related to the EDIP, but shall not serve as a member of the EACC. MOBD shall annually submit to the governor, the senate and the house ways and means committees, and the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies, within ninety days after the end of its fiscal year, a report setting forth its operations and accomplishments, including a listing of all projects certified under the EDIP. Such report shall also include recommended policies or actions, if any, to improve the effectiveness of the EDIP.
Section 3C.(a)A controlling business may petition the EACC to certify a proposed project that will create new permanent full-time employees within the commonwealth. Every proposed project submitted by a controlling business to the EACC for review and certification shall include a detailed description of the proposed project; a representation by the controlling business regarding the amount of capital investment to be made, the number of new jobs to be created, the number of existing jobs to be retained; a representation by the controlling business regarding any other economic benefits or other public benefits expected to result from the construction of the proposed project; a municipal project endorsement; and such other information as the EACC shall require by regulation, policy or guidance.
(b)Upon receipt of a complete project proposal and municipal project endorsement, the EACC may certify the proposed project, deny certification of the proposed project, or certify the proposed project with conditions. In order to certify a proposed project, with or without conditions, the EACC shall make the following required findings based on the project proposal, the municipal project endorsement, and such additional investigation, if any, as the EACC shall make and incorporate in its minutes:
(1)The proposed project is located or will be located within the commonwealth;
(2)If the controlling business has one or more existing facilities in the commonwealth, then the proposed project is an expansion of an existing facility and not merely the replacement of an existing facility, except in the case of a proposed project that will enable a controlling business to retain jobs in a gateway city as provided in subclause (ii) of clause (3) below, or
(3)The proposed project will either (i) enable the controlling business to hire new permanent full-time employees in the commonwealth, or (ii) enable the controlling business to retain at least 50 permanent full-time jobs at a facility located in a gateway city, or in an adjacent city or town that is accessible by public transportation to residents of a gateway city, and such jobs otherwise would be relocated outside of the commonwealth;
(4) The controlling business shall commit to maintain new and retained jobs for a period of at least 5 years after the completion of the proposed project;
(5)The proposed project appears to be economically feasible, and the controlling business has the financial and other means to undertake and complete the proposed project,
(6)Unless the proposed project will be located in a gateway municipality, a duly authorized representative of the controlling business has certified to the EACC that the controlling business would not undertake the proposed project but for the EDIP tax credits and local tax incentives available to it under this chapter; and
(7)The proposed project complies with all applicable statutory requirements and with such other criteria that the EACC may from time to time prescribe by regulation, policy or guidance.
The EACC shall by regulation, policy or guidelines provide for the contents of an application for project certification, which may include a requirement that the controlling business provide written evidence to support the certification provided for in clause (6) of this subsection.
(c)A certified project shall retain its certification for the period specified by the EACC in its certification decision; provided, however, that such specified period shall be not less than 5 years from the date of certification nor more than 20 years from such date.
(d) The secretary of the executive office of housing and economic development and the secretary of the executive office for administration and finance may from time to time jointly designate a proposed project as an extraordinary economic development opportunity if the secretaries jointly determine that the proposed project involves the construction or substantial rehabilitation of a new facility or expansion of an existing facility within the commonwealth that is not a replacement of an existing facility in the commonwealth, or involves the relocation of an existing business to the commonwealth from a facility located outside of the commonwealth, and the proposed project meets at least one of the following additional criteria:
(1)The proposed project, if approved and constructed, will create at least 400 new jobs; or
(2)The proposed project, if approved and constructed, will result in the creation of at least 200 new jobs in a gateway municipality or in an adjacent city or town that is accessible by public transportation to residents of a gateway municipality.
The secretary of the executive office of housing and economic development shall promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this subsection. The decision by the secretaries to designate or not to designate a proposed project as an extraordinary economic development opportunity shall be a decision that is within the sole discretion of each of the secretaries, and may include such conditions as the secretaries shall in their discretion impose. Such decisions shall be final and shall not be subject to administrative appeal or judicial review under chapter 30A or give rise to any other cause of action or legal or equitable claim or remedy.
Section 3D. (a)The EACC may award to the controlling business of a certified project, or to its affiliate, tax credits available under subsection (g) of section 6 of chapter 62 or section 38N of chapter 63. The amount of any such credits awarded, and the schedule on which such credits may be claimed, shall be determined by the EACC based on the following criteria:
(1) The degree to which the certified project is expected to increase employment opportunities for residents of the commonwealth, with consideration given to the number of new full-time jobs to be created, the number of full-time jobs to be retained, the salary or other compensation that will be paid to the employees, and the amount of new state income tax to be generated;
(2)The timeframe within which new jobs will be created and the commitment of the controlling business for how long they will be maintained, with preference given to certified projects in which a significant portion of the new jobs shall be created within 2 years;
(3)The amount of capital to be invested by the controlling business in the certified project;
(4) The degree to which the certified project is expected to generate net new economic activity within the commonwealth by generating substantial sales from outside of the commonwealth;
(5)The extent to which the certified project is expected to contribute to the economic revitalization of a Gateway municipality or increase employment opportunities to residents of a Gateway municipality;
(6) The economic need of the municipality or region in which the certified project is located, as determined by income levels, employment levels, or educational attainment level; and
(7)Commitments, if any, made by the controlling business to use Massachusetts firms, suppliers and vendors, or to retain women or minority-owned businesses, during the construction of the certified project.
The EACC shall have discretion as to how to weigh and apply these criteria. When making an award of tax credits pursuant to subsection (g) of section 6 of chapter 62 and section 38N of chapter 63, the EACC may at its sole discretion limit the award to a specific dollar amount, may specify the schedule on which such credits may be claimed, and may limit or restrict the right of the controlling business to carry unused credits forward to future tax years. When a controlling business expects that new jobs will be created over a period of multiple years, the EACC award of tax credits may allocate and make such credits available to the taxpayer on a schedule that ensures credits are claimed on or after the date that the jobs are created.
(b)A certified project that has been designated as an extraordinary economic development opportunity shall be eligible, at the discretion of the secretary of housing and economic development and the secretary of administration and finance, for the alternative EDIP tax credit provided for in paragraph (2) of subsection (g) of section 6 of chapter 62 and subsection (b) of section 38N of chapter 63. The EACC shall not make an award of alternative EDIP tax credits unless the award of such credits is expressly authorized by the secretaries in their decision to designate a certified project as an extraordinary economic development opportunity. A controlling business that receives an award of alternative EDIP tax credits shall not be eligible to receive any other EDIP tax credits for the same certified project.
(c)The EACC shall have the discretion to grant refundable credits to a certified project; provided that the council shall not authorize more than $5,000,000 in refundable credits for any single calendar year. Refundable credits awarded to a certified project that has been designated as an extraordinary economic development opportunity shall not be counted against the cap set forth in this subsection.
(d)The total amount of credits that may be authorized by the EACC under this section for any single calendar year shall not exceed $30,000,000, to be calculated in accordance with the relevant provisions of subsection (g) of section 6 of chapter 62 and section 38N of chapter 63. Notwithstanding the cap set forth in the preceding sentence, the EACC may authorize credits in excess of the annual cap of $30,000,000 for a certified project that is designated as an extraordinary economic development opportunity; provided that the total amount awarded shall not exceed $50,000,000 in a calendar year. The EACC may authorize an award of credits to a controlling business that spans multiple years so long as the total amount of credits due to be taken in any single calendar year does not exceed the applicable cap.
(e)MOBD shall require the recipient of tax credits awarded pursuant to this section to execute an EDIP contract after the EACC awards tax credits under this section.
(f)The decision by the EACC to certify or deny certification to a proposed project pursuant to section 3C, and the decision by the EACC to award or deny tax credits to the controlling business of a certified project pursuant to this section, including without limitation the amount of such award, and any conditions or limitations on such award, shall be decisions that are within the sole discretion of the EACC. Such decisions by the EACC shall be final and shall not be subject to administrative appeal or judicial review under chapter 30A or give rise to any other cause of action or legal or equitable claim or remedy.
Section 3E. (a) A municipality may offer a local tax incentive to the owner or controlling business of a certified project, or to the owner of a real estate project, if the municipality determines such project is consistent with the municipality’s economic development objectives and is likely to increase or retain employment opportunities for residents of the municipality.
(b)Tax increment financing may be offered by a municipality in accordance with section 59 of chapter 40 to the controlling business of a certified project, or to any person or entity undertaking a real estate project, or to any person or entity expanding a facility in an area designated by the EACC as a TIF-eligible area. The EACC may designate an area as a TIF-eligible area if it finds, upon petition from the municipality, that there is a strong likelihood that any of the following will occur within the area in question within a specific and reasonably proximate period of time: (i) a significant influx or growth in business activity; (ii) the creation of a significant number of new jobs and not merely a replacement or relocation of current jobs within the commonwealth; or (iii) a private project or investment that will contribute significantly to the resiliency of the local economy.
If a municipality offers tax increment financing to the owner of a certified project, the municipal project endorsement for said certified project shall include a fully executed copy of the tax increment financing agreement adopted in accordance with section 59 of chapter 40. Any TIF agreement shall be approved by the EACC before it shall be valid and enforceable. The EACC may approve such tax increment financing agreement pursuant to regulations adopted by the EACC. Any such approval shall include a finding, reflected in the EACC’s minutes, that the tax increment financing agreement complies with section 59 of chapter 40 and will further the public purpose of encouraging increased industrial and commercial activity in the commonwealth.
(c)A municipality may offer a special tax assessment to the controlling business of a certified project, or to a person or entity undertaking a real estate project, or to a person or entity proposing to retain permanent full-time jobs at a facility that otherwise would be at risk of relocating outside of the commonwealth. Any special tax assessment shall be set forth in a written agreement between the municipality and the property owner. Such agreement shall set forth the amount of the tax reduction and the period of time over which such reduction shall be in effect, which shall be not fewer than 5 years or more than 20 years. Every special tax assessment approved by the EACC shall provide for a reduction of the real property tax that otherwise would be due based on a percentage reduction in the tax that otherwise would be due based on the full assessed value of the affected property. The special tax assessment shall provide for tax reduction at least equal to the following:
(1)in the first year, the tax reduction shall be at least 50 per cent of the tax that would be due based on the full assessed value of the affected property;
(2)in the second and third years, the tax reduction shall be at least 25 per cent of the tax that would be due based on the full assessed value of the affected property;
(3)in the fourth and fifth years, the tax reduction shall be at least 5 per cent of the tax that would be due based on the full assessed value of the affected property.
The municipality may at its discretion provide for greater real property tax reductions than provided in clauses (1) to (3) above.
The written agreement required by the first paragraph of this subsection (c) shall be approved by the EACC before it shall be valid and enforceable. The EACC may approve such special tax assessments pursuant to rules or regulations adopted by the EACC if the EACC shall determine: (i) the municipality has made a formal determination that the property owner is either undertaking a project or making other investment that will contribute to economic revitalization of the municipality and will significantly increase employment opportunities for residents of the municipality, or is retaining permanent full-time employees that otherwise would be relocated to a facility outside the commonwealth, (ii) the special tax assessment is reasonably necessary to enable the owner’s investment in the project or to retain the jobs that otherwise would be relocated; and (iii) the total amount of local tax foregone is reasonably proportionate to the public benefits resulting from the special tax assessment. Any such approval shall include a finding, reflected in the EACC’s minutes, that the special tax assessment complies with the requirements of this section 3E.
(d)Any tax increment financing agreement or special tax assessment approved by the EACC may not be amended without the approval of the EACC.
Section 3F. (a)No later than 2 years after the initial certification of a project by the EACC, and annually thereafter, the controlling business or affiliate awarded EDIP tax credits shall file with MOBD a report, signed by an authorized representative of the controlling business or affiliate, certifying whether the controlling business or affiliate has achieved the job creation projections, job retention projections and other material obligations or representations set forth in the EDIP contract.
(b)In the event that MOBD shall find that a controlling business or an affiliate is in material non-compliance with a representations made to the EACC in its application for project certification or the obligations set forth in an EDIP contract, MOBD may recommend to the EACC that it revoke the project certification. Prior to making such recommendation, MOBD shall provide written notice to the controlling business stating the basis for the recommended revocation and offering the controlling business an opportunity for a hearing at which the controlling business may contest the basis for the recommendation or establish mitigating circumstances which may be relevant to the recommendation.
(c)The EACC may revoke a project certification if it determines that a controlling business or affiliate is in material non-compliance with a representations made in its application for project certification or the obligations set forth in an EDIP contract. The EACC shall have the discretion to determine whether material non-compliance shall result in revocation of a project certification, taking into account:
(1)the conduct of the controlling business subsequent to the project certification;
(2)the extent to which the material non-compliance is the result of unforeseen conditions that are outside the control of the controlling business;
(3)the potential impact on the municipality in which the certified project is located; and
(4)such other considerations as the EACC shall establish by regulation or policy.
Where the EACC determines that material non-compliance is due to factors outside the control of the controlling business, the EACC may elect to provide the controlling business with reasonable opportunity to cure the material non-compliance. If the EACC revokes a project’s certification, it shall determine the proportion of compliance with job creation requirements applicable to the certified project, and shall report the proportion of compliance to the controlling business and to the department of revenue.
(d)Revocation of a project certification shall take effect on the first day of the tax year in which the material non-compliance occurred, as determined by the EACC. If the EACC revokes a project certification, then (i) all EDIP tax credits available to the controlling business shall be recaptured in accordance with subsection (g) of section 6 of chapter 62 and subsection (h) of section 38N of chapter 63, and (ii), the local tax incentive, if any, shall terminate unless the written agreements between the municipality and the controlling business provide otherwise. In the event of such termination, the municipality may, at its discretion, preserve the local tax incentive by amending the written agreement with the controlling business in same manner as the municipality approved it, and submitting such amendment to the EACC for approval in accordance with this section.
(e)If a controlling business has claimed tax credits awarded under this chapter prior to the date on which the EACC makes a determination to revoke project certification, then the recapture provisions of subsection (g) of section 6 of chapter 62 and subsection (h) of section 38N of chapter 63 shall apply. If a controlling business has benefited from a local tax incentive under this chapter prior to the revocation of a project certification, then notwithstanding any provision of the general laws to the contrary, the municipality that offered the local tax incentive may recapture the value of the tax not paid by making a special assessment on the controlling business in the tax year that follows the EACC’s decision to revoke project certification. The assessment, payment and collection of the special assessment shall be governed by procedures provided for the taxation of omitted property under section 75 of chapter 59 notwithstanding the time period set forth in said chapter 59 for which omitted property assessments may be imposed for each of the fiscal years included in the special assessment.
Section 3G. (a)The EACC shall have the authority to designate one or more areas of the commonwealth as an economic target area or economic opportunity area in connection with an application from a municipality seeking such designation under the federal empowerment zones and enterprise communities program, so called, or other local, state or federal programs that contemplate such designations. Designations of new economic target areas, if any, shall be made in accordance with the criteria set forth in subsection (b) of this section. Designations of new economic opportunity areas, if any, shall be made at the discretion of the EACC in accordance with regulations to be promulgated by the EACC, or rules or policies adopted by the EACC.
(b)The EACC may from time to time designate as an economic target area an area of the commonwealth comprised of 3 or more contiguous census tracts or 1 or more contiguous municipalities, provided that the area proposed for designation meets one of the following criteria:
(1) the proposed economic target area has an unemployment rate that exceeds the statewide average by at least 25 percent; or
(2)if the proposed economic target area is located in a metropolitan area, then at least 51 percent of the households in the proposed economic target area have incomes that are below 80 per cent of the median income for households in the metropolitan area; or
(3)if the proposed economic target area is not located in a metropolitan area, then at least 51 per cent of the households in the proposed economic target area have incomes that are below 80 per cent of the median income for households in the commonwealth; or
(4)the proposed economic target area has a poverty rate which is at least 20 per cent higher than the average poverty rate for the commonwealth; or
(5)the area proposed for designation has heightened economic need due to an industrial or military base closure; presence of underutilized maritime or electric generation facilities; or a commercial vacancy rate exceeding 20 percent; or
(6) the area proposed for designation has exceptional potential for economic development as a result of the proposed redevelopment of blighted real estate or abandoned buildings totaling at least 1,000,000 square feet; the proposed establishment of a regional technology center of 3,000,000 or more square feet; or the proposed development of a Class I renewable energy generating facility.
(c)Any municipality which contains an economic opportunity area is hereby authorized to make application to the foreign trade zone board established by an act of Congress, Public Law 397, 19 U.S.C. sections 81(a) to 81(u), inclusive, for a grant to said city or town for the privilege of establishing, operating and maintaining a foreign trade zone within its economic opportunity area. Upon petition from a city or town, the EACC may authorize any other city or town to make application to said foreign trade zone board for a grant to said city or town for the privilege of establishing, operating and maintaining a foreign trade zone.
SECTION 9. Section 3J of said chapter 23A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1 to 22 inclusive, the first paragraph of subsection (a) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
The Massachusetts office of business development shall establish a plan to support regionally-based efforts to grow and retain existing businesses and attract new business to the commonwealth. To implement the regional plan and to provide efficient and consistent response to businesses seeking assistance from the commonwealth, the office shall contract with regional economic development organizations, as defined in section 3K. The contracts and reimbursements shall be designed to support regionally-based efforts to stimulate, encourage, facilitate and nurture economic growth and prosperity in the commonwealth, including, but not limited to, the identification of regional competitive strengths, challenges and opportunities, regional cluster development strategies, long-range regional skills pipeline, transportation and land use planning, and other systems-based activities related to the growth and retention of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses into the commonwealth. The contracts shall support a network of partnerships between regional economic development organizations and the Massachusetts office of business development.
SECTION 10. Said section 3J of said chapter 23A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out subsection (c) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
(c) Contracts for services entered into under this section shall include, but not be limited to, the following services to be performed by the organization on behalf of the commonwealth: (i) assess regional competitive strengths, weaknesses and opportunities; (ii) represent the regional business community in long-range skills pipeline planning efforts to ensure robust skills and talent pipelines that meet regional needs; (iii) represent the regional business community in collaborative, long-range skills, transportation and land use planning; (iv) promote regionally significant industry clusters; (v) promote connections across sectors of the regional economy; (vi) maintain an inventory of key development parcels; (vii) market the region in coordination with the Massachusetts marketing partnership established under section 13A; and (viii) furnish advice and assistance to businesses and industrial prospects which may locate in the region.
SECTION 11. Section 65 of chapter 23A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking subjection (j) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:
(j) The department shall consult with the Massachusetts department of agricultural resources in the development and implementation of the Massachusetts food trust program. To the maximum extent feasible, a community development financial institution and the department shall seek to align efforts with the recommendations of the Massachusetts local food action plan accepted by the Massachusetts food policy council in 2015, or subsequent plans accepted by said council.
SECTION 12. Section 5 of Chapter 23G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out paragraph (1) of subsection (c) and inserting in place thereof the following language:
(1) that the loan is to be secured by a mortgage or security interest in, real or personal property, or a combination thereof, deemed satisfactory to the board;
SECTION 13. Said section of said chapter 23G, as so appearing, is further amended by striking out paragraph (8) of subsection (c) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:
(8) that the principal amount of the loan, excluding any portion thereof the proceeds of which are to fund reserves and disregarding any other funds or other arrangements obtained for reserve purposes, does not exceed the value of the sum of all assets securing the loan as determined by the agency;
SECTION 14. Section 7 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 31, the figure “$500,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $1,000,000.
SECTION 15. Section 8 of chapter 23H of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 7 to 8, the words “persons residing in economic opportunity areas,”.
SECTION 16. Section 5 of chapter 23I of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 69 to 70, the words “in an economic opportunity area pursuant to section 3F” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- as defined in section 3A.
SECTION 17. Section 49 of chapter 23K of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out in line 3, the figure “3F” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 3C.
SECTION 18. Said section 49 of said chapter 23K, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 5, the figure “3E” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 3G.
SECTION 19. Said section 49 of said chapter 23K, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 25 to 26, the words, “the economic opportunity area credit” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- EDIP tax credit and alternative EDIP tax credit.
SECTION 20. Section 59 of said chapter 40, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 11 to 15, the words “an economic target area or an area presenting exceptional opportunities for increased economic development, as defined by section 3D of chapter 23A and as may be defined further by regulations adopted by the economic assistance coordinating council” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
an economic target area as defined in section 3G of chapter 23A, or an area designated by the economic assistance coordinating council as a TIF-eligible area pursuant to subsection (b) of section 3E of said chapter 23A.
SECTION 21. Said section 59 of said chapter 40, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 84 and 88, the figure “3F” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the figure:- 3E.
SECTION 22. Section 60 of said chapter 40, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 5 to 7, the words “the director of housing and community development, in consultation with the department of economic development and the department of revenue” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the department of housing and community development, in consultation with the department of revenue.
SECTION 23. Said section 60 of chapter 40, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 15 to 18, the words “characterized by a predominance of commercial land uses, a high daytime or business population, a high concentration of daytime traffic and parking and a need for multi-unit residential properties” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
located within an area of concentrated development, as that term is defined in section 2 of chapter 40R, characterized by a predominance of commercial land uses and a need for multi-unit residential properties.
SECTION 24. Said section 60 of said chapter 40, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out clause (ii) of subsection (a) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:-
(ii) describe the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation and related activities, public and private, contemplated for such UCH-TIF zone as of the date of the adoption of the UCH-TIF plan; provided, however, that in the case of public construction as aforesaid, the UCH-TIF plan shall include a detailed projection of the costs and a betterment schedule for the defrayal of such costs; provided further, that the UCH-TIF plan shall provide that no costs of such public construction shall be recovered through betterments or special assessments imposed on a party which has not executed an UCH-TIF agreement in accordance with clause (v); and provided, further, that in the case of private construction as aforesaid, the UCH-TIF plan shall include the types of affordable housing and residential and commercial growth which are projected to occur within such UCH-TIF zone together with such documentary evidence of the projected public benefits as are required by the regulations;
SECTION 25. Said section 60 of said chapter 40, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out subclause (1) and subclause (2) of clause (iii) of subsection (a) and inserting in place thereof the following subclause:-
(1)the numerator of which shall be:
In an UCH-TIF zone where the property includes primarily residential uses, the total assessed value of all parcels of all residential real estate that are assessed at full and fair cash value for the current fiscal year minus the new growth adjustment factor for the current fiscal year attributable to the residential real estate as determined by the commissioner of revenue under paragraph (f) of section 21C of said chapter 59; or
In an UCH-TIF zone where the property includes a mix of residential and commercial uses, the total assessed value of all parcels of all residential and commercial real estate that are assessed at full and fair cash value for the current fiscal year minus the new growth adjustment factor for the current fiscal year attributable to the residential and commercial real estate as determined by the commissioner of revenue under said paragraph (f) of said section 21C of said chapter 59; and
SECTION 26. Said section 60 of said chapter 40, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out clause (v) of subsection (a) and inserting in place thereof the following clause:-
(v) that each owner of property located in an UCH-TIF zone seeking to establish eligibility for tax increment exemptions from annual property taxes under clause (iii) shall execute an agreement, hereinafter referred to as an UCH-TIF agreement, with the city or town, the form of which shall be included as an attachment to the UCH-TIF plan, which agreement shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) all material representations of the parties which served as a basis for the granting of a UCH-TIF exemption; (2) any terms deemed appropriate by the city or town relative to compliance with the UCH-TIF agreement including, but not limited to, what shall constitute a default by the property owner and what remedies shall be allowed between the parties for any such defaults, including an early termination of the agreement; (3) provisions requiring that one of the affordability thresholds described in subsection (b) below is met; (4) provisions stating that housing units that meet the affordability requirements of subsection (b) shall be subject to use restrictions as defined in this section; (5) a detailed recitation of the tax increment exemptions and the maximum percentage of the cost of public improvements that can be recovered through betterments or special assessments regarding a parcel of real property pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv); (6) a detailed recitation of all other benefits and responsibilities inuring to and assumed by the parties to an agreement; and (7) a provision that the agreement shall be binding upon subsequent owners of the parcel of real property; and
SECTION 27. Said section 60 of said chapter 40, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, and inserting in place thereof the following 5 subsections:-
(b) As a condition of the granting of an UCH-TIF exemption, a property owner must satisfy 1 of the following affordability thresholds:
(i)At least 15 per cent of the housing units assisted by the UCH-TIF agreement shall be affordable to occupants or families with incomes at or below 80 per cent of the median income for the area in which the city or town is located as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“AMI”); or
(ii)At least 25 per cent of the housing units assisted by the UCH-TIF agreement shall be affordable to occupants or families with incomes at or below 110 per cent of the AMI; or
(iii)The property shall satisfy the requirements of an existing inclusionary zoning ordinance or bylaw in the city or town, under which the property owner is required to make a portion of the housing units assisted by the UCH-TIF agreement affordable to low- and moderate-income households.
In addition, to support a finding of public benefit based on residential and commercial growth in an urban center, at least one of the following additional conditions must be met:
The UCH-TIF zone has either (1) an unemployment rate that exceeds the statewide average by at least 25 per cent, (2) a commercial vacancy rate of 15 per cent or more; or (3) an average household income below 115 per cent of the AMI, or
At least 51% of the land area within the UCH-TIF zone is located within a qualified census tract as defined in Section 42(d)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code, or
At least 51% of the land area within the UCH-TIF zone constitutes a blighted open, decadent or sub-standard area as defined in G.L. c. 121A.
(c)The department shall review each UCH-TIF plan to determine whether it complies with the terms of this section and any regulations which may be adopted by the department; provided further, that the department shall certify, based upon the information submitted in support of the UCH-TIF plan by the city or town and through such additional investigation as the department may make, that the plan is consistent with the requirements of this section and will further the public purpose of encouraging increased residential growth, affordable housing and commercial growth in the commonwealth; provided further, that a city or town may, at any time, revoke its designation of a UCH-TIF zone and, as a consequence of such revocation, shall immediately cease the execution of any additional agreements under clause (v) of subsection (a); provided, further, that a revocation shall not affect agreements relative to property tax exemptions and limitations on betterments and special assessments under said clause (v) of said subsection (a) or use restrictions or options to purchase and rights of first refusal required by this section which were executed before the revocation.
(d)The board, agency, or officer of the city or town authorized under clause (vi) of said subsection (a) to execute UCH-TIF agreements shall submit each executed UCH-TIF agreement to the department of housing and community development for its approval. The department shall, as a condition of such approval, certify that the UCH-TIF agreement complies with the terms of this section and furthers the public purpose of encouraging increased residential growth, affordable housing and commercial growth in the Commonwealth. Upon receipt of the department’s certification, the board, agency or officer of the city of town authorized under clause (vi) of said subsection (a) to execute UCH-TIF agreements shall forward to the board of assessors a copy of the approved UCH-TIF agreement, together with a list of the parcels included therein. An executed and approved UCH-TIF shall be recorded in the registry of deeds or the registry district of the land court wherein the land lies.
(e) Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, an affordable housing development benefiting from a real estate tax exemption under this section that meets the affordability requirements of subsection (c) and subclause (3) of clause (v) of subsection (a) shall continue to meet those requirements for 30 years or for the term of any municipal bonds issued to finance the construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation of such development, whichever is shorter as may be specified in the recorded restriction. Such restriction shall be approved by the department of housing and community development in accordance with section 32 of chapter 184 and shall be recorded in the registry of deeds or the registry district of the land court wherein the land lies.
(f) The owner of property subject to an UCH-TIF agreement shall certify to the city or town the incomes of the families or occupants, upon initial occupancy, of the affordable housing units designated in the UCH-TIF agreement and such certification shall be provided to the department on an annual basis. If the owner fails to provide certification or otherwise fails to comply with the UCH-TIF agreement, including failing to maintain the affordability of housing units assisted under this section, the city or town may place a lien on the property in the amount of the real estate tax exemptions granted pursuant to the UCH-TIF agreement for any year in which the owner is not in compliance with this subsection. If the city or town determines, with the approval of the department of housing and community development, that the owner is unlikely to come into compliance with the affordability requirements of subsection (c) and subclause (3) of clause (v) of subsection (a), the city or town may place a lien on the property in the amount of the total real estate tax exemption granted pursuant to the UCH-TIF agreement. Any such lien shall be recorded in the registry of deeds or the registry district of the land court wherein the land lies.
SECTION 28. Section 6 of chapter 40A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 29, the word “six” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- 12.
SECTION 29. Section 9 of said chapter 40A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 165, the word “two” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- three.
SECTION 30. Section 4 of chapter 40G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 85, the words “as defined in section 3D” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- designated pursuant to section 3G.
SECTION 31. Section 2 of chapter 40H of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 59 to 60, the words “section 3D of chapter 23A” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- section 3G of chapter 23A, or meeting the criteria for such designation.
SECTION 32. Section 4G of chapter 40J of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the figure “$3” in lines 19 and 24 and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following figure:- $1.
SECTION 33. Section 6D of said chapter 40J, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-
(g)The institute shall, in consultation with the secretary of housing and economic development and informal advisers from the public and private sectors, develop strategies and action plans to facilitate the continued development and accelerating growth of the e-health cluster in the commonwealth involving a range of products, services and systems at the intersection of medicine/healthcare and information technology, including without limitation electronic health records, consumer wearable devices, care systems, payment management systems, healthcare robotics, telemedicine and big data analytics, for the purpose of improving health care quality, reducing costs and supporting the expansion of economic opportunities for the citizens of the commonwealth. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the institute is authorized (i) to develop a market access program connecting provider and payer needs with ideas and products through pilot programs, (ii) to undertake a healthcare big data initiative designed to improve healthcare data transparency and availability, and (iii) to create opportunities for e-health cluster stakeholders, including investors, entrepreneurs and healthcare providers, to convene to exchange ideas and make connections. In furtherance of the purposes of this subsection, the institute shall coordinate and collaborate with such other commonwealth agencies, authorities and public instrumentalities as the secretary of housing and economic development may suggest and shall endeavor to identify moneys and resources that could be made available for such purposes. The corporation is authorized to expend moneys credited to the e-Health Institute Fund established in section 6E for the purposes of this subsection, without compliance with any further restrictions contained in section 6E, and to expend for such purposes any other moneys available to the corporation that are not otherwise expressly restricted by law.
SECTION 34. Section 2 of chapter 40R of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “Approved smart growth zoning district” the following definition:
“Approved starter home zoning district”, a starter home zoning district that has been adopted by a city or town and approved by the department in accordance with this chapter and the regulations of the department, so as to be eligible for the receipt of financial and other incentives. The department may revoke its approval if the obligations of the city or town are not met.
SECTION 35. Said section 2 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the definition of “Approving authority” the following definition:-
“Area of concentrated development”, a center of commercial activity within a municipality, including town and city centers, other existing commercial districts in cities and towns, and existing rural village districts.
SECTION 36. Said section 2 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the definition of “developable land area” and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-
“Developable land area”, that area within an approved smart growth or starter home zoning district that can be feasibly developed into residential or mixed use development determined in accordance with regulations of the department. Developable land area shall not include: (1) land area that is already substantially developed, including existing parks and dedicated, perpetual open space within such substantially developed portion; (2) open space designated by the city or town as provided in section 6; or (3) areas exceeding ½ acre of contiguous land that are unsuitable for development because of topographic features or for environmental reasons, such as wetlands.
It shall include the land area occupied by or associated with underutilized residential, commercial, industrial or institutional buildings or uses that have the potential to be recycled or converted into residential or mixed use developments as determined in accordance with regulations of the department.
SECTION 37. Said section 2 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the definition of “eligible locations” and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-
“Eligible locations”, areas that by virtue of their infrastructure, transportation access, existing underutilized facilities, and/or location make highly suitable locations for residential or mixed use smart growth zoning districts or starter home zoning districts, including without limitation (1) areas near transit stations, including rapid transit, commuter rail and bus and ferry terminals; or (2) areas of concentrated development, including town and city centers, other existing commercial districts in cities and towns, and existing rural village districts.
SECTION 38. Said section 2 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the definition of “Historic district” the following 2 definitions:-
“Housing production plan”, an affordable housing plan adopted by a municipality and approved by the department in accordance with its regulations.
“Housing production summary”, a detailed summary of the city or town’s affordable housing production history, housing needs and housing demand assessment, analysis of development constraints and capacity, current housing goals and strategy for achieving those goals, and proposed locations for affordable housing production.
SECTION 39. Said section 2 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the definition of “Letter of eligibility” and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-
“Letter of eligibility”, a letter to a city or town to be issued by the department within 60 days of receiving a complete and approvable application from a city or town for approval of a smart growth or starter home zoning district.
SECTION 40. Said section 2 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the definition of “Mixed use development” and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-
“Mixed use development”, a development containing a mix of residential uses and non-residential uses (including without limitation commercial, institutional, industrial and/or other uses), all conceived, planned and integrated to create vibrant, workable, livable and attractive neighborhoods.
SECTION 41. Said section 2 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the definition of “Open space” the following definition:-
“Production bonus payment'', a one-time payment to a municipality from the trust fund established in section 35AA of chapter 10 for each housing unit of new construction that is created in a starter home zoning district pursuant to the starter home overlay provisions of the applicable zoning ordinance or bylaw.
SECTION 42. Said section 2 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the definition of “Project” and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-
“Project”, a proposed residential or mixed-use development within a smart growth or starter home zoning district.
SECTION 43. Said section 2 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the definition of “Smart growth zoning district certificate of compliance” the following 3 definitions:-
“Starter home”, a single family home not exceeding 1,850 square feet in heated living area; provided, that nothing herein shall preclude a city or town from adopting a starter home zoning district that would permit construction on a single lot in a starter home zoning district of an accessory dwelling unit of 600 square feet or less on the same lot as a starter home.
“Starter home zoning district'', a zoning district consisting of not less than three (3) contiguous acres of developable land area, adopted by a city or town under this chapter, that is superimposed over 1 or more zoning districts in an eligible location, within which a developer may elect to either develop starter homes in accordance with requirements of the starter home zoning district ordinance or by-law, or develop a project in accordance with requirements of the underlying zoning district, and otherwise consistent with department guidance.
“Starter home zoning district certificate of compliance”, a written certification by the department in accordance with section 7.
SECTION 44. Section 3 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting, after the word “district” in lines 2 and 7, in each instance, the following words:- or starter home zoning district.
SECTION 45. Said section 3 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting, after the word “districts” in line 15, the following words:- or starter home zoning districts.
SECTION 46. Section 4 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “growth” in line 3 the following words:- or starter home.
SECTION 47. Said section 4 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “districts” in line 14 the following words:- or starter home zoning districts.
SECTION 48. Said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out sections 5 to 10 inclusive and inserting in place thereof the following 6 sections:-
Section 5. The chief executive of a city or town desiring to adopt a smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district ordinance or by-law shall submit the necessary materials to the department for a preliminary determination of eligibility for approval. The information in the application shall:
(a) identify and describe the boundaries of the proposed smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district;
(b) identify and describe the developable land area within the proposed smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district;
(c) identify and describe other residential development opportunities for infill housing and the residential re-use of existing buildings and underutilized buildings within already developed areas (applicable to smart growth zoning districts only);
(d) include any comprehensive housing plan or housing production plan previously adopted by the city town or, if the city or town has no comprehensive housing plan or housing production plan, a housing production summary, as set forth in section 8;
(e) include a copy of the proposed smart growth district or starter home zoning district ordinance or by-law;
(f) by narrative and exhibits, establish the elements set forth in section 6.
Section 6. (a) A proposed smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district shall satisfy the following minimum requirements:
(1) Each proposed district shall be located in an eligible location.
(2) The zoning for each proposed smart growth zoning district shall provide for residential use to permit a mix of housing for families, individuals, persons with special needs and the elderly.
(3) Housing density in a proposed smart growth district shall be at least 20 units per acre for multi-family housing on the developable land area: 8 units per acre for single-family homes on the developable land area; and 12 units per acre for 2 and 3 family buildings on the developable land area. Housing density in a proposed starter home district shall satisfy the following criteria: (a) the density shall be no less than 4 units per acre of developable land area; (b) the development shall emphasize smart growth principles of development, such as cluster development and other forms of development providing for common open space usable for passive or active recreational activities, and/or the use of low-impact development techniques; and (c) at least 50% of the starter homes to be developed in a proposed starter home district (excluding accessory dwelling units) must contain 3 or more bedrooms.
(4) The zoning ordinance or by-law for each proposed smart growth zoning district shall provide that not less than 20 per cent of the residential units constructed in projects of more than 12 units shall be affordable, as defined in section 2, and shall contain mechanisms to ensure that not less than 20 per cent of the total residential units constructed in each proposed district shall be affordable.
(5)The zoning ordinance or by-law for each proposed starter home zoning district shall provide that, as a condition of the increased density permitted in a starter home zoning district, not less than 20 per cent of the residential units created as starter homes shall be affordable to and occupied by individuals and families whose annual income is less than 100 per cent of the area median income as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and shall contain mechanisms to ensure that the required percentage of the total residential units constructed in each proposed starter home district shall meet such affordability requirements, including an affordable housing restriction as defined in section 31 of chapter 184 having a term of not less than 30 years.
(6) A proposed smart growth zoning district shall permit infill housing on existing vacant lots and shall allow the provision of additional housing units in existing buildings, consistent with neighborhood building and use patterns, building codes and fire and safety codes.
(7) A proposed smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district shall not be subject to limitation of the issuance of building permits for residential uses or a local moratorium on the issuance of such permits. In addition, a proposed starter home zoning district shall not be subject to any municipal environmental or health ordinances, bylaws or regulations that exceed applicable requirements of state law or regulation, unless the department of environmental protection has determined that specific local conditions warrant imposition of more restrictive local standards, or the imposition of such standards would not render infeasible the development contemplated under the comprehensive housing plan, housing production plan or housing production summary submitted as part of the application for such district.
(8) A proposed smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district shall not impose restrictions on age or any other occupancy restrictions on the district as a whole. This shall not preclude the development of specific projects within a smart growth zoning district that may be exclusively for the elderly, the disabled or for assisted living. Not less than 25 per cent of the housing units in such a project within a smart growth zoning district shall be affordable housing, as defined in section 2.
(9) Housing in a smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district shall comply with federal, state and local fair housing laws.
(10) A proposed smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district may not exceed 15 per cent of the total land area in the city or town. Upon request, the department may approve a larger land area if such approval serves the goals and objectives of the chapter.
(11) The aggregate land area of all approved smart growth zoning districts and starter home zoning districts in the city or town may not exceed 25 per cent of the total land area in the city or town. The department may approve a larger combined land area if the department determines that such approval serves the goals and objectives of this chapter.
(12) Housing density in any proposed district shall not over burden infrastructure as it exists or may be practicably upgraded in light of anticipated density and other uses to be retained in the district.
(13)A proposed smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district ordinance or by-law shall define the manner of review by the approving authority in accordance with section 11 and shall specify the procedure for such review in accordance with regulations of the department.
(b) A city or town may modify or eliminate the dimensional standards contained in the underlying zoning in the smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district ordinance or by-law in order to support desired densities, mix of uses and physical character. The standards that are subject to modification or waiver may include, but shall not be limited to, height, setbacks, lot coverage, parking ratios and locations and roadway design standards. Modified requirements may be applied as of right throughout all or a portion of the smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district, or on a project specific basis through the smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district plan review process as provided in the ordinance or by-law. A city or town may designate certain areas within a smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district as dedicated perpetual open space through the use of a conservation restriction as defined in section 31 of chapter 184 or such other means as may be created by state law. The amount of such open space shall not be included as developable land area within the smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district. Open space may include an amount of land equal to up to 10 per cent of what would otherwise be the developable land area if the developable land would be less than 50 acres, and 20 per cent of what would otherwise be the developable land area if the developable land area would be 50 acres or more.
(c) The zoning for a proposed smart growth zoning district may provide for mixed use development.
(d) A smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district may encompass an existing historic district or districts. A city or town, with the approval of the department, may establish a historic district in an approved smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district in accordance with chapter 40C, so long as the establishment of the historic district meets requirements for such a historic district and does not render the city or town noncompliant with this chapter, as determined by the department. The historic districts may be coterminous or non-coterminous with the smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district. Within any such historic district, the provisions and requirements of the historic district may apply to existing and proposed buildings.
(e) A city or town may require more affordability than required by this chapter, both in the percentage of units that must be affordable, and in the levels of income for which the affordable units must be accessible, provided, however, that affordability thresholds shall not unduly restrict opportunities for development.
(f) With respect to a city or town with a population of fewer than 10,000 persons, as determined by the most recent federal decennial census, for hardship shown, the department may, pursuant to regulations adopted under this chapter, approve zoning for a smart growth zoning district with lower densities than provided in this chapter, if the city or town satisfies the other requirements set forth in this section; provided, however, that such approval shall not be withdrawn solely because, in a future census, the population of the city or town exceeds 10,000.
(g) Any amendment or repeal of the zoning for an approved smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district ordinance or by-law shall not be effective without the written approval by the department. Each amendment or repeal shall be submitted to the department with an evaluation of the effect on the city or town's comprehensive housing plan or housing production plan, if any. Amendments shall be approved only to the extent that the district remains in compliance with this chapter. If the department does not respond to a complete request for approval of an amendment or repeal within 60 days of receipt, the request shall be deemed approved.
(h) Nothing in this chapter shall affect a city or town's authority to amend its zoning ordinances or by-laws under chapter 40A, so long as the changes do not affect the smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district.
Section 7. (a) On or before October 1 of each year after the year of approval of a district by the department, the department shall send a smart growth zoning district certificate of compliance or starter home zoning district certificate of compliance, as applicable, to each city or town with an approved district. In order to receive such a certificate, the city or town shall verify within the time specified by the department:
(1) that the city or town has adopted an approved a smart growth zoning district or a starter home zoning district, as applicable;
(2) that the certification has not been revoked by the department;
(3) that the district is being developed in a manner that reasonably complies with the applicable minimum requirements set forth in section 6 for housing density and affordability;
(4) that the approving authority has not unreasonably denied plans for projects, or has only denied plans for projects in a manner consistent with its smart growth zoning district ordinance or by-law or starter home zoning district ordinance or by-law, as applicable, the city or town's comprehensive housing plan, housing production plan, or the housing production summary submitted with the city or town’s initial application for approval by the department, as applicable, and this chapter.
(b) If the department is unable to certify compliance, the department shall hold a public hearing subject to chapter 30A. If the department concludes that the city or town is in material noncompliance with the requirements set forth in this section, the department may revoke certification. A revocation of certification shall be recorded with the registry of deeds or land court registry district for the county or district within which the city or town is located, indexed in the grantor index under the name of the city or town. Any revocation of certification or other sanctions imposed by the department shall not affect the validity of the smart growth zoning ordinance or by-law or starter home zoning district ordinance or by-law, as applicable, or the application of such ordinance or by-law to land, development or proposed development within the smart growth zoning district.”
Section 8. A city or town shall submit to the department, concurrently with the city or town’s application for a letter of eligibility, either an existing comprehensive housing plan, an existing housing production plan, or a housing production summary. The plan or summary shall include an estimate of the projected number of units of new construction that could be built in the proposed smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district. If a city or town has already completed a comprehensive housing plan or housing production plan, the city or town shall submit with its application to the department a description of how the proposed smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district relates to and will further the goals of its comprehensive housing plan or housing production plan, as well as an estimate of the projected number of units of new construction that could be built within the district.
Section 9. Each city or town with an approved smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district shall be entitled to payments as described below.
(a) The commonwealth shall pay from the trust fund a zoning incentive payment, according to the following schedule:
Projected Units of
New Construction Payment
Up to 20 $10,000
21 to 100 $75,000
101 to 200 $200,000
201 to 500$350,000
501 or more $600,000
Subject to any conditions imposed by the Department as a condition of approving a smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district, the zoning incentive payment shall be payable upon confirmation of approval of the district by the department. The projected number of units shall be based upon the zoning adopted in the smart growth zoning district or start home zoning district, and consistent with either the city or town's comprehensive housing plan or housing production plan, if any, or the housing production summary submitted in accordance with Section 8.
(b) The commonwealth shall pay from the trust fund a one-time density bonus payment to each city or town with an approved smart growth zoning district and a one-time production bonus payment to each city or town with an approved starter home zoning district. This payment shall be $3,000 for each housing unit of new construction created in the smart growth zoning district and $3,000 for each housing unit of new construction created in the starter home zoning district. The amount due shall be paid on a unit-by-unit basis in accordance with department regulations, upon submission by a city or town of proof of issuance of a building permit for a particular housing unit or units within the district.
(c) The executive office of environmental affairs, the executive office of transportation, the department of housing and community development and the secretary of administration and finance shall, when awarding discretionary funds, use a methodology of awarding such funds that favors cities or towns with approved smart growth zoning districts or starter home zoning districts and other approved zoning policies or initiatives that encourage increased affordable housing production in the commonwealth including, but not limited to, inclusionary zoning.
Section 10. A city or town may adopt, in accordance with the regulations of the department, design standards applicable to projects undergoing review by the approving authority, to ensure that the physical character of development within the smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district is complementary to adjacent buildings and structures and is consistent with the city or town’s comprehensive housing plan or housing production plan, if any, and any applicable master plan or plans for the city or town. Such standards may address the scale and proportions of buildings, the alignment, width and grade of streets and sidewalks, the type and location of infrastructure, the location of building and garage entrances, off-street parking, the protection of significant natural site features, the location and design of on-site open spaces, exterior signs and buffering in relation to adjacent properties. In a smart growth zoning district, the standards shall provide for high-density quality development consistent with the character of building types, streetscapes and other city or town features traditionally found in densely settled areas of the city or town or in the region of the city or town.
A design standard shall not be adopted if it will add unreasonable costs to residential or mixed-use developments. A design standard shall not unreasonably impair the economic feasibility of proposed projects. The department may disapprove a request for the determination of eligibility for a smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district on account of a design standard adding such unreasonable costs or unreasonably impairing such feasibility.
SECTION 49. Section 11 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, the words “district zoning” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- zoning district or starter home zoning district.
SECTION 50. Section 11 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “district”, in line 11, the following words:- or starter home zoning district.
SECTION 51. Said section 11 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “zoning”, in line 17, the following words:- district or starter home zoning district.
SECTION 52. Said section 11 of said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “district” in lines 70, 74 and 128, in each instance, the following words:- or starter home zoning district.
SECTION 53. Said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out section 12 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-
Section 12. The department shall be responsible for the administration, review, and reporting on the smart growth zoning district and starter home zoning district programs as provided in this chapter. The department shall undertake or cause to be undertaken an annual review and the preparation of a report on the programs set forth in this chapter and may require data to be provided by cities and towns with smart growth zoning districts or starter home zoning districts. The report shall be prepared on the basis of such data and shall be made available to the general public and submitted to the general court annually not later than November 15 of each year, and shall cover the status of the program through the end of the prior fiscal year. The report shall identify and describe the status of cities and towns that are actively seeking letters of eligibility. It shall identify approved smart growth zoning districts and starter home zoning districts and the amounts and anticipated timing of one-time density bonus payments and one-time production bonus payments during the prior and current fiscal year. It shall summarize the amount of land areas zoned for particular types of projects in both proposed and approved districts, the number of projects being reviewed by cities and towns under section 11, including the number and type of proposed residential units, the number of building permits issued, the number of completed housing units and their type, and it shall set out the one-time density bonus payments and one-time production bonus payments made to each city or town. For the then current and the immediately succeeding fiscal years it shall make estimates for the: (i) number and size of proposed new districts; (ii) the potential number of residential units to be allowed in new districts; and (iii) anticipated construction activity.
SECTION 54. Said chapter 40R, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out section 14 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-
Section 14. The department shall require the cities and towns, if within 3 years no construction has been started within the smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district, to repay to the department all monies paid to the city or town under this chapter for said smart growth zone or starter home zone. The 3 years shall commence on the date of the payment of the zoning incentive payment for said smart growth zoning district or starter home zoning district. All monies returned to the department under this section shall be returned to the trust fund.
SECTION 55. Section 1 of chapter 40V of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the definition of “Certified housing development project”, and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-
“Certified housing development project”, the new construction or substantial rehabilitation of a housing development project that has been approved by the department for participation in the housing development incentive program.
SECTION 56. Said section 1 of said chapter 40V, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the definitions of “Market rate residential unit” and “Qualified substantial rehabilitation expenditure” and inserting in place thereof following 2 definitions:-
“Market rate residential unit”, a residential unit that is not subject to a deed restriction setting a maximum rent or sales price, or restricting occupancy based on the income of the tenant or owner.
“Qualified project expenditure”, an expenditure directly related to the construction or substantial rehabilitation of a certified housing development project, including the cost of site assessment and remediation of hazardous materials, but excluding the purchase of the property, provided that: (i) the department has certified that the proposed project meets the definition of certified housing development project; (ii) prior to construction, the department has certified that all or a portion of the project costs are for new construction or substantial rehabilitation; and (iii) after the construction of the project has been completed and occupied, the department has certified that the project has been completed in compliance with this chapter and the requirements and conditions of any prior certifications.
SECTION 57. Said section 1 of said chapter 40V, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “property”, in line 34, the following words:-
including site assessment and remediation of hazardous materials, but.
SECTION 58. Section 4 of said chapter 40V, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 12, the words “is a” and inserting in place thereof the following words:-
involves either new construction or.
SECTION 59. Said section 4 of said chapter 40V, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 13, the word “approve” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- certify.
SECTION 60. Said section 4 of said chapter 40V, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 35, the words “HDIP zone” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- HD zone.
SECTION 61. Said section 4 of said chapter 40V, as so appearing, is hereby further amended further by inserting after the word “certified” in line 44 the following words:- housing development.
SECTION 62. Said section 4 of said chapter 40V, as so appearing, is hereby further amended further by inserting after the word “certified” in lines 56, 57 and 83, in each instance, the following words:- housing development.
SECTION 63. Section 5 of said chapter 40V, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:-
The department may award to a sponsor of a certified housing development project tax credits available under subsection (q) of section 6 of chapter 62 and section 38BB of chapter 63 up to but not to exceed 25 per cent of the cost of qualified project expenditures allocable to the market rate units in the project, as determined by the department.
SECTION 64. Said section 5 of said chapter 40V, as so appearing, is hereby further amended further by inserting before the word “project” in lines 9, 13 and 15, in each instance, the following words:- certified housing development.
“SECTION 65. Chapter 40V of the General Laws is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-
Section 6. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
“Annual cash flow”, for a WHPP project, the amount of surplus cash remaining after all project operating costs have been paid, including interest and principal on any indebtedness, reserves for replacement, reserves for operations and the payment of the priority return, and after any payments required to be paid to the equity partner for federal historic tax credits, or FHTC, plus any reserves reasonably set aside to make anticipated exit payments after 5 years to the FHTC investors; provided, however, that the reserves for operations shall be as determined by the department and shall be calculated to retain in the project sufficient reserves to fund the payment of all accounts payable, accrued expenses, and the interest payments due for the subsequent month.
“Eligible communities”, municipalities that meet the requirements of section 3A of chapter 23A or municipalities with less than 35,000 residents which the department determines have an industrial heritage, blight and deterioration in designated areas.
“Eligible districts”, the areas in an eligible community comprising an approved HDIP district or areas designated by the department in a community with less than 35,000 residents.
“Housing development tax credit”, a tax credit available pursuant to chapter 40V.
“Priority return”, a cumulative amount equal to 8 per cent per year times the amount of any permanent cash equity investment made by the owners, members or partners of the ownership entity which shall be paid after the payment of the operating expenses for the project.
“Profits on sale or refinancing”, the amounts remaining upon a sale or refinancing after the repayment of existing indebtedness, payment of the costs of sale or refinancing, the repayment, if any, of any net cash equity investment on which the priority returns are paid, payment of any unpaid cumulative priority returns and other obligations of the ownership entity.
“Program costs”, the total amount of Massachusetts historic rehabilitation tax credits and housing development tax credits received by a WHPP project.
“Ready to commence construction”, the time when a WHPP certified project has received both commitments for all financing required to commence construction, including a total allocation of Massachusetts historic rehabilitation tax credits equal to at least $300,000 or the full amount for which the project is eligible, and all local, state and federal permits necessary to commence construction.
“WHPP”, is the workforce housing production program.
“WHPP certified project”, a housing development project designated by the department for housing development tax credits pursuant to this section.
(b) Upon the application of a sponsor of a housing project in an eligible district, the department may award to the sponsor housing development tax credits in an amount equal to 25 per cent of the qualified substantial rehabilitation expenditure. Any allocation of tax credits pursuant to chapter 40V shall be outside of any annual cap on the allocation of tax credits contained in section q of chapter 62 or section 38BB of chapter 63.
(c) For such period as determined by the department, the commonwealth shall be paid a share of the annual cash flow and a share of the profits on sale or refinancing from a WHPP certified project equal to 25 per cent.
(d) If a WHPP certified project is ready to commence construction except for the fact that it has not received the full allocation of Massachusetts historic rehabilitation tax credits for which the WHPP certified project is eligible but has received approval as an eligible project and has received an allocation of Massachusetts historic rehabilitation tax credits equal to at least $300,000, then the state secretary shall increase the amount of the allocated Massachusetts historic tax credits for the WHPP certified project to the full amount for which the project is eligible. Such additional allocation of Massachusetts historic rehabilitation tax credits shall be outside of any annual cap on the allocation of Massachusetts historic tax credits contained in section 38R of chapter 63.
(e) WHPP certified projects shall have prepared and shall submit to the department an audit certified by an independent certified public accountant of project construction and development costs, including rent-up and marketing costs, as of the date of the completion of construction, within 180 days after the completion of construction. Annually thereafter, within 120 days after the end of the project’s fiscal year, a report certified by an independent certified public accountant shall be submitted to the department on the annual financial and occupancy operations in accordance with regulations to be issued by the department.
(f) The department shall promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this subsection including, but not limited to, provisions to recover housing development tax credits issued pursuant to this section for violations of agreements between the department and the sponsors of WHPP certified projects.
(g) The total amount of program costs approved pursuant to this section shall not exceed $25,000,000.
SECTION 66. Section 3 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 114 to 115, the words “established by section three B of chapter twenty-three A” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- pursuant to section 3G of chapter 23A.
SECTION 67. Paragraph (11) of subsection (a) of part B of section 3 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following sentence:-
An individual who is a nonresident for all or part of the taxable year shall not be eligible to claim this deduction.
SECTION 68. Subsection (a) of part B of section 3 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following new paragraphs:-
(19) An amount equal to the amount expended in such taxable year for the purchase of an interest in, or contributed in such taxable year to an account in, a prepaid tuition program or college savings program established by the commonwealth or any instrumentality or authority thereof. In the case of a single person or a married person filing a separate return or a head of household, the total amount deducted in such taxable year shall not exceed $1,000. In the case of a married couple filing a joint return, the total amount deducted in such taxable year shall not exceed $2,000.
Notwithstanding any statute of limitations on the assessment of an income tax under this chapter, any deduction taken hereunder shall be subject to recapture in the taxable year or years in which distributions or refunds are made for any reason other than (a) to pay qualified higher education expenses, as defined by 26 U.S. Code §529 (e)(3), or (b) the beneficiary's death, disability, or receipt of a scholarship. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term "purchaser" or "contributor" means the person shown as such on the records of the qualifying Massachusetts prepaid tuition or college savings plans as of December 31 of the taxable year. In the case of a transfer of ownership of a prepaid tuition contract or savings trust account, the transferee shall succeed to the transferor's tax attributes associated with a prepaid tuition contract or savings trust account, including, but not limited to, carryover and recapture of deductions.
On or before October 15 of each year beginning on or after January 1, 2018, the commissioner shall submit a report to the secretary of administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means, and the joint committee on revenue. The annual report shall provide the following information: the number of 529 college savings accounts opened by Massachusetts residents during the prior year; the amount of the allowable deductions claimed under this paragraph during the prior year; the adjusted gross income of each taxpayer qualifying for the deduction allowed under this section.
The deduction allowed under this paragraph shall apply for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2017; provided, however, that, in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2022, no such deduction shall be allowed in any taxable year unless the deduction is reauthorized by legislative action.
SECTION 69. Section 6 of said chapter 62, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (g) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-
(g)(1) A credit shall be allowed against the tax liability imposed by this chapter on the owner or lessee of a certified project, to the extent such credit is authorized by the economic assistance coordinating council, up to an amount equal to 50 per cent of such liability in any taxable year; provided, however, that the 50 per cent limitation shall not apply where the credit is refundable under paragraph (6). The amount of the credit shall be determined by the economic assistance coordinating council in accordance with criteria set forth in section 3D of chapter 23A and such other criteria or guidelines as the council shall from time to time adopt; provided that a credit awarded in connection with a certified project that will retain permanent full-time employees in a gateway city without creating a net increase in permanent full-time employees shall not exceed $5,000 per retained employee. A credit allowed under this section may be taken only after the taxpayer executes an EDIP contract as set forth in section 3D of chapter 23A.
(2)An alternative EDIP tax credit may be allowed against the tax liability imposed by this chapter on the owner or lessee of a certified project that has been designated as an extraordinary economic development opportunity, but only to the extent such alternative EDIP tax credit is authorized by the economic assistance coordinating council, up to an amount equal to 100 per cent of such liability in any taxable year; provided, however, that the 100 per cent limitation shall not apply where the credit is refundable under paragraph (6). The amount of the alternative EDIP tax credit shall be equal to a percentage of gross wages of the new permanent full-time employees employed by the controlling business at the certified project as reportable on employee Forms W-2 wage and tax statements. Such percentage shall be determined by the EACC but shall in no event exceed 5 per cent of such gross wages. An alternative EDIP tax credit allowed under this section shall reduce the liability of the taxpayer under this chapter for the taxable year in which the new permanent full-time employee is first employed by the taxpayer and any subsequent years authorized by the EACC. An alternative EDIP tax credit allowed under this section may be taken only after the taxpayer executes an EDIP contract as set forth in section 3D of chapter 23A.
(3)The total amount of credits that may be authorized by the EACC in a calendar year pursuant to this section and section 38N of chapter 63 shall not exceed an annual cap equal to $30,000,000 minus the credits granted pursuant to subsection (q)(5) of section of 6 of this chapter and section 38BB(5) of said chapter 63, and shall include: refundable credits granted during the year pursuant to this section or said section 38N of said chapter 63; nonrefundable credits granted during the year pursuant to this section or said section 38N of said chapter 63, to the extent that such nonrefundable credits are estimated by the commissioner to offset tax liabilities during the year; and carryforwards of credits from prior years under this section or said section 38N of said chapter 63, to the extent that such credit carryforwards, if any, are estimated by the commissioner to offset tax liabilities during the year. Any portion of the annual cap not awarded by the economic assistance coordinating council in a calendar year shall not be applied to awards in a subsequent year.
Notwithstanding the cap set forth in the preceding paragraph, the EACC may authorize credits in excess of the annual cap of $30,000,000 for a project that is designated as an extraordinary economic development opportunity; provided that the total amount awarded shall not exceed $50,000,000 in a calendar year.
The economic assistance coordinating council shall provide the commissioner with any documentation that the commissioner deems necessary to confirm compliance with the annual cap and the commissioner shall provide a report confirming compliance with the annual cap to the secretary of administration and finance and the secretary of housing and economic development.
(4) Any taxpayer entitled to a credit under this subsection for any taxable year may, to the extent authorized by the economic assistance coordinating council, carry over and apply to the tax for any one or more of the next succeeding 10 taxable years, the portion, as reduced from year to year, of those credits which exceed the tax for the taxable year; provided, however, that in no event shall the taxpayer apply the credit to the tax for any taxable year beginning more than 5 years after the certified project ceases to qualify as such under the provisions of chapter 23A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the economic assistance coordinating council may limit or restrict carryover of credits as set forth section 3D of said chapter 23A.
(5) For purposes of this subsection, the commissioner of revenue may aggregate the activities of all entities, whether or not incorporated, under common control as defined in subsection (f) of section 41 of the Code.
(6) The commissioner of revenue shall promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this subsection including, but not limited to, provisions to prevent the generation of multiple credits with respect to the same property.
(7) If a credit allowed under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) is designated by the economic assistance coordinating council as a refundable credit, the credit shall first be applied against the tax liability of the taxpayer under this section, and 100 per cent of the balance of such credit may, at the option of the taxpayer and to the extent authorized by the economic assistance coordinating council, be refundable to the taxpayer. The economic assistance coordinating council shall in each case specify the timing of such refund, which may be for the taxable year in which all or a portion of the certified project is placed in service, or the taxable year subsequent to the year in which the required jobs are created. If such credit balance is refunded to the taxpayer, the credit carryover provisions of paragraph (4) shall not apply.
(8)If the economic assistance coordinating council revokes the certification of a project as provided in section 3F of chapter 23A, then a portion of the tax credits otherwise allowed by this section and claimed by the taxpayer prior to the date on which the economic assistance coordinating council makes the determination to revoke project certification must be added back as additional tax due and shall be reported as such on the return of the taxpayer for the taxable period in which the economic assistance coordinating council makes the determination to revoke project certification. The amount of credits subject to recapture shall be proportionate to the taxpayer’s compliance with the job creation requirements applicable to the certified project. The taxpayer’s proportion of compliance shall be determined by the economic assistance coordinating council as part of its revocation process and shall be reported to the taxpayer and the department of revenue at the time certification is revoked.
(9)If a certified project is sold or otherwise disposed of, tax credits allowed under this subsection may be transferred to the purchaser of the certified project, provided that the EDIP contract is assigned to and assumed by the purchaser of the certified project, and such assignment and assumption is approved in writing by the economic assistance coordinating council.
(10)Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the commissioner to make adjustments to a taxpayer’s liability upon audit.
(11)For purposes of this subsection (g), the terms certified project, proposed project, economic assistance coordinating council, EDIP contract, alternative EDIP tax credit and extraordinary economic development opportunity have the meanings ascribed to them in section 3A of chapter 23A.
SECTION 70. Said section 6 of said chapter 62, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out the word “ten” in line 893, and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 25.
SECTION 71. Said section 6 of said chapter 62, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 894, the words “substantial rehabilitation” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- project.
SECTION 72. Said section 6 of said chapter 62, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 905 and 939 to 940, the word “rehabilitation” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- project.
SECTION 73. Said section 6 of said chapter 62, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 923 and 935, the figure “5” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the figure:- 10.
SECTION 74. Said section 6 of said chapter 62, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the following subsection:-
(t) (1) As used in this subsection, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:-
“Business”, a profession, sole proprietorship, trade partnership, corporation, general partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, joint venture, business trust, public benefit corporation, non-profit entity or other business entity.
“Gateway municipality”, a gateway municipality as defined in section 3A of chapter 23A.
“Qualifying business”, a business which: (a) has its principal place of business in the commonwealth; (b) has at least 50 per cent of its employees located in the business’s principal place of business; (c) has a fully developed business plan that includes all appropriate long-term and short-term forecasts and contingencies of business operations, including research and development, profit, loss and cash flow projections and details of angel investor funding; (d) employs 20 or fewer full-time employees at the time of the taxpayer investor’s initial qualifying investment as provided for in paragraph (2); (e) has a federal tax identification number; and (f) has gross revenues equal to or less than $500,000 in the fiscal year prior to eligibility.
“Qualifying investment”, a monetary investment that is at risk and not secured or guaranteed; provided, however, that a “qualifying investment” shall not include venture capital funds, hedge funds and commodity funds with institutional investors or investments in a business involved in retail, real estate, professional services, gaming or financial services.
“Taxpayer investor”, accredited investors, as defined by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to section 2(15)(ii) of the Securities Act of 1933, 15 U.S.C. 77b(15)(ii) and who is not the principal owner of the qualifying business who is involved as a full-time professional activity.
(2) A taxpayer investor who makes a qualifying investment in a qualifying business shall be allowed a credit against the taxes imposed by this chapter in an amount equal to 20 per cent of the amount of the taxpayer’s qualifying investment. A taxpayer investor who makes a qualifying investment in a qualifying business with its principal place of business located in a gateway municipality shall be allowed a credit against the taxes imposed by this chapter in an amount equal to 30 per cent of the amount of the taxpayer’s qualifying investment. Taxpayer investors may invest up to $125,000 per qualifying business per year with a $250,000 maximum for each qualifying business. The total of all tax credits available to a taxpayer investor under this subsection shall not exceed $50,000 in any single calendar year.
(3) Qualifying investments may be used by a qualifying business for the following purposes: (a) capital improvements; (b) plant equipment; (c) research and development; and (d) working capital. Qualifying investments shall not be used to pay dividends, fund or repay shareholders’ loans, redeem shares, repay debt or pay wages or other benefits of the taxpayer investor.
(4) The credits allowed under paragraph (2) may be taken against income tax due in either the tax year of the initial investment or in any of the 3 subsequent taxable years. Any amount of the tax credit that exceeds the tax due for a taxable year may be carried forward by the taxpayer investor to any of the 3 subsequent taxable years. If the qualifying business ceases to have its principal place of business in the commonwealth within such 3 year period, the taxpayer investor shall not claim any further credits and shall repay the total amount of credits claimed to the commonwealth.
(5) The Massachusetts life sciences center, in consultation with the executive office of housing and economic development and the commissioner of revenue, shall authorize, administer and determine eligibility for this tax credit and allocate the credit in accordance with the standards and requirements as set forth in regulations promulgated pursuant to this subsection, and with the goal of creating and maintaining jobs including, but not limited to, the following sectors: digital e-health, information technology, and healthcare. Any tax credits authorized pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to the annual cumulative cap pursuant to subsection (d) of section 5 of chapter 23I.
(6) The commissioner of revenue, the Massachusetts life sciences center, and the executive office of housing and economic development shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out this subsection.
SECTION 75. Subsection (1) of subsection (q) of section 6 of chapter 62 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Editions, is hereby amended by inserting after the figure 40V in line 895 the following: In the event that the certified housing development project is a WHPP certified project, pursuant to section 6 of chapter 40V, then the credit to be allowed shall be 25 per cent.
SECTION 76. Section 6M of said chapter 62, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 89, the words “as defined in section 3A” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- designated under section 3G.
SECTION 77. Chapter 63 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out section 38N and inserting in place thereof the following section:
Section 38N.(a) A corporation subject to tax under this chapter that is the controlling business of a certified project, as defined in section 3A of chapter 23A, or an affiliate of a controlling business, may take a credit against the excise imposed by this chapter to the extent such credit is authorized by the economic assistance coordinating council, up to an amount equal to 50 per cent of such liability in any taxable year; provided, however, that the 50 per cent limitation shall not apply where the credit is refundable under subsection (d). The amount of the credit shall be determined by the economic assistance coordinating council based on criteria set forth in section 3D of chapter 23A and such other criteria or guidelines as the council shall from time to time adopt; provided that a credit awarded in connection with a certified project that will retain permanent full-time employees in a gateway city without creating a net increase in permanent full-time employees shall not exceed $5,000 per retained employee. A credit allowed under this section may be taken only after the corporation executes an EDIP contract as set forth in said section 3D of chapter 23A.
(b)An alternative EDIP tax credit may be allowed against the tax liability imposed by this chapter on the owner or lessee of a certified project that has been designated as an extraordinary economic development opportunity, but only to the extent such alternative EDIP tax credit is authorized by the economic assistance coordinating council, up to an amount equal to 100 per cent of such liability in any taxable year; provided, however, that the 100 per cent limitation shall not apply where the credit is refundable under paragraph (d). The amount of the alternative EDIP tax credit shall be equal to a percentage of gross wages of the new permanent full-time employees employed by the controlling business at the certified project as reportable on employee Forms W-2 wage and tax statements. Such percentage shall be determined by the EACC but shall in no event exceed 5 per cent of such gross wages. An alternative EDIP tax credit allowed under this section shall reduce the liability of the taxpayer under this chapter for the taxable year in which the new permanent full-time employee is first employed by the taxpayer and any subsequent years authorized by the EACC. An alternative EDIP tax credit allowed under this section may be taken only after the taxpayer executes an EDIP contract as set forth in section 3D of chapter 23A.
(c)The total amount of credits that may be authorized by the economic assistance coordinating council in a calendar year pursuant to this section and subsection (g) of section 6 of chapter 62 shall not exceed an annual cap equal to $30,000,000 minus the credits granted pursuant to section 38BB of this chapter and subsection (q) of section 6 of chapter 62 and shall include: refundable credits granted during the year pursuant to this section or said section 38N of said chapter 63; nonrefundable credits granted during the year pursuant to this section or said section 38N of said chapter 63, to the extent that such nonrefundable credits are estimated by the commissioner to offset tax liabilities during the year; and carryforwards of credits from prior years under this section or said section 38N of said chapter 63, to the extent that such credit carryforwards, if any, are estimated by the commissioner to offset tax liabilities during the year. Any portion of the annual cap not awarded by the economic assistance coordinating council in a calendar year shall not be applied to awards in a subsequent year.
Notwithstanding the cap set forth in the preceding paragraph, the EACC may authorize credits in excess of the annual cap of $30,000,000 for a project that is designated as an extraordinary economic development opportunity; provided that the total amount awarded shall not exceed $50,000,000 in a calendar year.
The economic assistance coordinating council shall provide the commissioner with any documentation that the commissioner deems necessary to confirm compliance with the annual cap and the commissioner shall provide a report confirming compliance with the annual cap to the secretary of administration and finance and the secretary of housing and economic development.
The credit allowed under this section may be taken by an eligible corporation; provided, however, that the credit allowed by section 31A or section 31H shall not be taken by such corporation.
(d) Any corporation entitled to a credit under this section for any taxable year may, to the extent authorized by the economic assistance coordinating council, carry over and apply to the tax for any one or more of the next succeeding 10 taxable years, the portion, as reduced from year to year, of those credits which exceed the tax for the taxable year; provided, however, that in no event shall the corporation apply the credit to the tax for any taxable year beginning more than 5 years after the certified project ceases to qualify as such under the provisions of chapter 23A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the economic assistance coordinating council may limit or restrict carryover of credits as set forth section 3D of said chapter 23A.
(e)If a credit allowed under subsection (a) or subsection (b) is designated by the economic assistance coordinating council as a refundable credit, the credit shall first be applied against the tax liability of the corporation under this chapter, and 100 per cent of the balance of such credit may, at the option of the corporation and to the extent authorized by the economic assistance coordinating council, be refundable to the corporation. The economic assistance coordinating council shall in each case specify the timing of such refund, which may be for the taxable year in which all or a portion of the certified project is placed in service, or the taxable year subsequent to the year in which the required jobs are created. If such credit balance is refunded to the corporation, the credit carryover provisions of subsection (d) shall not apply.
(f) In the case of a corporation that is subject to a minimum excise under any provision of this chapter, the amount of the credit allowed by this section shall not reduce the excise to an amount less than such minimum excise.
(g) In the case of corporations filing a combined return of income under section 32B, a credit generated by an individual member corporation under the provisions of this section shall first be applied against the separately determined excise attributable to that member, except as otherwise provided in this section. A member corporation with an excess credit may apply its excess credit against the excise of another group member, to the extent that such other member corporation can use additional credits. Unused, unexpired credits generated by member corporations shall be carried over from year to year by the individual corporation that generated the credit, to the extent authorized by the economic assistance coordinating council.
(h) The commissioner of revenue may promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, provisions to prevent the generation of multiple credits with respect to the same property.
(i)If the economic assistance coordinating council revokes the certification of a project as provided in section 3F of chapter 23A, then a portion of the tax credits otherwise allowed by this section and claimed by the taxpayer prior to the date on which the economic assistance coordinating council makes the determination to revoke project certification must be added back as additional tax due and shall be reported as such on the return of the taxpayer for the taxable period in which the economic assistance coordinating council makes the determination to revoke project certification. The amount of credits subject to recapture shall be proportionate to the taxpayer’s compliance with the job creation requirements applicable to the certified project. The taxpayer’s proportion of compliance shall be determined by the economic assistance coordinating council as part of its revocation process and shall be reported to the taxpayer and the department of revenue at the time certification is revoked.
(j)If a certified project is sold or otherwise disposed of, tax credits allowed under this subsection may be transferred to the purchaser of the certified project, provided that the EDIP contract is assigned to and assumed by the purchaser of the certified project, and such assignment and assumption is approved in writing by the economic assistance coordinating council.
(k)Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the commissioner to make adjustments to a corporation's liability upon audit.
(l)For purposes of this section, the terms certified project, certified project proposal, economic assistance coordinating council, EDIP contract, alternative EDIP tax credit and extraordinary economic development opportunity shall have the meanings ascribed to them in section 3A of chapter 23A.
SECTION 78. Section 38O of said chapter 63, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 4 to 5, the words “as defined by section 3A” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- designated under section 3G.
SECTION 79. Clause (i) of paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of section 38R of said chapter 63, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following words:- ; provided, however, that the Massachusetts historical commission shall ensure the award of tax credits pursuant to this section shall allow a taxpayer that acquires a qualified historic structure to receive any tax credits for qualified rehabilitation expenditures previously awarded to the transferor of the qualified historic structure if: (A) the rehabilitation was not placed in service by the transferor; (B) no credit has been claimed by anyone other than the acquiring taxpayer as verified by the department of revenue to the commission; (C) the taxpayer completes the rehabilitation and obtains certification as provided in this section; and (D) the taxpayer conforms with all other requirements of this section; and provided further, that in the case of a multi-phase project, tax credits may be transferred for any phase that meets the criteria in subclauses (A) to (D), inclusive.
SECTION 80. Section 38BB of said chapter 63, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 5, the word “ten” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 25.
SECTION 81. Said section 38BB of said chapter 63, as so appearing, is hereby amended further by striking out, in line 6, the words “substantial rehabilitation” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- project.
SECTION 82. Said section 38BB of said chapter 63, as so appearing, is hereby amended further by striking out, in line 17 and lines 38 to 39, the word “rehabilitation” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- project.
SECTION 83. Said section 38BB of said chapter 63, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 23 and 34, the figure “5” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the figure:- 10.
SECTION 84. Section 38EE of said chapter 63, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 76, the words “as defined in section 3A” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- designated under section 3G.
SECTION 85. Subsection (1) of section 38BB of chapter 63 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the figure 40V in line 8 the following: In the event that the certified housing development project is a WHPP certified project, pursuant to section 6 of chapter 40V, then the credit to be allowed shall be 25 per cent.SECTION 86. Section 33 of chapter 138 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 14 and 15, 17 and 18, 24 and 25, and 27 and 28, the words “or on the day following when Christmas occurs on a Sunday”.
SECTION 87. Chapter 166A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after section 22 the following section:-
Section 23. All cable television operators shall locate PEG channels on the high definition tier, in close proximity to local network affiliate broadcast channels. Cable television operators shall provide PEG channel managers with access to the electronic program guide to ensure that residents can access information about local channels and will provide PEG channel managers with up to 10 hours of video on demand each monthSECTION 88. Section 162M of chapter 175 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after subsection (7) the following subsection:-
(7 1/2) Travel, limited line travel insurance, as that term is defined in section 162Z of chapter 175 of the General Laws.
SECTION 89. Said chapter 175 is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-
Section 162Z. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:-
(1) “Designated Responsible Producer” or “DRP”, a person responsible for the limited lines travel insurance producer’s compliance with the travel insurance laws, rules and regulations of the state.
(2) “Limited lines travel insurance producer”, a (i) licensed managing general underwriter; (ii) licensed managing general agent or third party administrator; or (iii) licensed insurance producer, including a limited lines producer, designated by an insurer as the travel insurance supervising entity as set forth in subsection (g).
(3) “Offer and disseminate”, to provide general information, including a description of the coverage and price, as well as processing the application, collecting premiums, and performing other non-licensable activities permitted by the state.
(4) “Travel insurance”, insurance coverage for personal risks incident to planned travel, including but not limited to: (i) interruption or cancellation of trip or event; (ii) loss of baggage or personal effects; (iii) damages to accommodations or rental vehicles; or (iv) sickness, accident, disability or death occurring during travel. Travel insurance does not include major medical plans, which provide comprehensive medical protection for travelers with trips lasting 6 months or longer, including for example, those working overseas as an expatriate or military personnel being deployed.
(5) “Travel retailer”, a business entity that makes, arranges or offers travel services and may offer and disseminate travel insurance as a service to its customers on behalf of and under the direction of a limited lines travel insurance producer.
(b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary:
(1) The commissioner may issue to an individual or business entity that has filed with the commissioner an application for such limited license in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, a limited lines travel insurance producer license, which authorizes the limited lines travel insurance producer to sell, solicit or negotiate travel insurance through a licensed insurer.
(2) A travel retailer may offer and disseminate travel insurance under a limited lines travel insurance producer business entity license if the following conditions are met:
(i) The limited lines travel insurance producer or travel retailer provides to purchasers of travel insurance:
(a) A description of the material terms or the actual material terms of the insurance coverage;
(b) A description of the process for filing a claim;
(c) A description of the review or cancellation process for the travel insurance policy; and
(d) The identity and contact information of the insurer and limited lines travel insurance producer.
(ii) At the time of licensure, the limited lines travel insurance producer shall establish and maintain a register on a form prescribed by the commissioner of each travel retailer that offers travel insurance on the limited lines travel insurance producer’s behalf. The register shall be maintained and updated annually by the limited lines travel insurance producer and shall include the name, address, and contact information of the travel retailer and an officer or person who directs or controls the travel retailer’s operations, and the travel retailer’s federal tax identification number. The limited lines travel insurance producer shall submit such register to the division of insurance upon reasonable request. The limited lines travel insurance producer shall also certify that the travel retailer registered complies with 18 U.S.C. section 1033.
(iii) The limited lines travel insurance producer has designated one of its employees who is a licensed individual producer as the DRP.
(iv) The DRP, president, secretary, treasurer, and any other officer or person who directs or controls the limited lines travel insurance producer’s insurance operations shall comply with the fingerprinting requirements applicable to insurance producers in the resident state of the limited lines travel insurance producer.
(v) The limited lines travel insurance producer has paid all applicable insurance producer licensing fees as set forth in applicable state law.
(vi) The limited lines travel insurance producer requires each employee and authorized representative of the travel retailer, whose duties include offering and disseminating travel insurance, to receive a program of instruction or training, which may be subject to review by the commissioner. The training material shall, at a minimum, contain instructions on the types of insurance offered, ethical sales practices, and required disclosures to prospective customers.
(vii) Limited lines travel insurance producers, and those registered under its license, are exempt from the examination requirements under section 162K of chapter 175 of the General Laws and the continuing education requirements under section 177E of chapter 175 of the General Laws.
(c) Any travel retailer offering or disseminating travel insurance shall make available to prospective purchasers, brochures or other written materials that:
(1) Provide the identity and contact information of the insurer and the limited lines travel insurance producer;
(2) Explain that the purchase of travel insurance is not required in order to purchase any other product or service from the travel retailer; and
(3) Explain that an unlicensed travel retailer is permitted to provide general information about the insurance offered by the travel retailer, including a description of the coverage and price, but is not qualified or authorized to answer technical questions about the terms and conditions of the insurance offered by the travel retailer or to evaluate the adequacy of the customer’s existing insurance coverage.
(d) A travel retailer’s employee or authorized representative who is not licensed as an insurance producer may not:
(1) Evaluate or interpret the technical terms, benefits, and conditions of the offered travel insurance coverage;
(2) Evaluate or provide advice concerning a prospective purchaser’s existing insurance coverage; or
(3) Hold himself out as a licensed insurer, licensed producer, or insurance expert.
(e) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a travel retailer whose insurance-related activities, and those of its employees and authorized representatives, are limited to offering and disseminating travel insurance on behalf of and under the direction of a limited lines travel insurance producer meeting the conditions stated in this section, is authorized to do so and receive related compensation, upon registration by the limited lines travel insurance producer as described in subsection (b)(1) and (2).
(f) Travel insurance may be provided under an individual policy or under a group or master policy.
(g) As the insurer designee, the limited lines travel insurance producer is responsible for the acts of the travel retailer and shall use reasonable means to ensure compliance by the travel retailer with this section.
(h) The limited lines travel insurance producer and any travel retailer offering and disseminating travel insurance under the limited lines travel insurance producer license shall be subject to the: (i) laws regarding unfair methods of competition and unfair and deceptive acts and practices in the business of insurance; and (ii) the enforcement provisions applicable to insurance producers.
SECTION 90. Section 7 of chapter 293 of the acts of 2006, as amended by section 6 of chapter 129 of the acts of 2008, is hereby further amended by striking out clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of subsection (c) and inserting in place thereof the following 2 clauses:-
(ii) the secretary certifies that the developer has received commitments satisfactory to the department for financing sufficient, with equity or other amounts to be provided by the developer and other persons, to fund the costs of construction of the proposed economic development project exclusive of those public infrastructure improvements to be financed by the agency, and shall have obtained a blanket performance bond or other security satisfactory to the secretary and payable to the agency securing the developer's obligation to complete the construction of the public infrastructure improvements included in the economic development proposal in an amount equal to or greater than the outstanding principal amount of any bonds to be issued by the agency to finance costs of public infrastructure improvements; and (iii) the agency certifies that it has approved the proposal.
SECTION 91. Said section 7 of said chapter 293, as most recently amended by section 87 of chapter 287 of the acts of 2014, is hereby further amended by striking out in subsection (d) the words, “; provided, further, that the secretary shall not approve more than 31 per cent of the total amount for projects, in the aggregate, for any municipality” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- ; provided, further, that the secretary shall not approve more than 50 per cent of the total amount for projects, in the aggregate, for any municipality.
SECTION 92. Said section 7 of said chapter 293, as most recently amended by section 88 of said chapter 287, is hereby further amended by striking out the second sentence of subsection (e).
SECTION 93. Section 8 of said chapter 293, as amended by section 8 of chapter 129 of the acts of 2008, is hereby further amended by striking out clauses (iii), (iv) and (v) of subsection (a) and inserting in place thereof the following 2 clauses:-
(iii) the municipality shall provide local infrastructure development assistance to the commonwealth with respect to the economic development project to the extent and for such time as is provided in section 10; and (iv) the commonwealth shall provide infrastructure development assistance to the agency to pay the debt service due in each fiscal year on any bonds issued by the agency to finance the costs of public infrastructure improvements included in such economic development project, subject to reimbursement of all or a portion of such state infrastructure development assistance through the collection of infrastructure assessments as provided in section 9 of this act and from local infrastructure assistance provided by the municipality as provided in section 10.
SECTION 94. Section 11 of said chapter 293, as amended by sections 13 and 14 of said chapter 129, is hereby further amended by striking out the following words in subsection (b):-
; provided, however, that notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, a certified economic development project receiving financial assistance for public infrastructure improvements pursuant to this act shall not be eligible for: (i) designation as a TIF zone pursuant to section 59 of chapter 40 of the General Laws; provided, however, that a certified economic development project designated as a TIF zone pursuant to said section 59 of said chapter 40 prior to January 1, 2009 shall be eligible to receive financial assistance for public infrastructure improvements pursuant to this act; (ii) the tax credit described in section 38N of chapter 63 of the General Laws; (iii) a community development action grant pursuant to section 57A of chapter 121B of the General Laws; (iv) a public works economic development program grant under clause (c) of the first paragraph of section 17 of chapter 732 of the acts of 1981; or (v) or any other economic assistance program as may be determined by the secretary or the commissioner. The ineligibility to participate in economic assistance programs as provided in clauses (i) to (v), inclusive, shall not apply to any tenant of a certified economic development project which is not an affiliate of the developer”.
SECTION 95. A controlling business or affiliate of a controlling business which has been awarded state tax credits under chapter 19 of the acts of 1993 or sections 3A to 3H of chapter 23A, and which intends to claim such credits on tax filings for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2016, shall enter into an EDIP contract setting forth the amount of the credits awarded, the amount of credits claimed or carried over, and the job creation obligations of the controlling business. Any controlling business or affiliate of a controlling business that fails to enter into an EDIP contract in form and substance acceptable to MOBD on or before December 31, 2016 shall forfeit such credits. For purposes of this section, the terms controlling business, EDIP contract and MOBD shall have the meanings ascribed to them in section 3A of chapter 23A of the General Laws, as amended by this act.
SECTION 96. Any and all references in the General Laws to “economic target area” or “ETA” shall be deemed to mean an economic target area designated by the EACC and in existence as of the effective date of this act, or an area designated by the EACC as an economic target area in accordance with section 3G of chapter 23A of the General Laws. As of the effective date of this act, all references in the General Laws to “economic opportunity area” or “EOA” shall be deemed to mean an economic opportunity area designated by the EACC and in existence as of the effective date of this act, or an area designated by the EOA as an economic opportunity area in accordance with said section 3G of said chapter 23A. Existing economic target areas and economic opportunity areas designated by the EACC prior to January 1, 2017 shall remain in effect until their scheduled termination date, if any.
SECTION 97. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, sections 92 through 96, inclusive, shall not apply to economic development projects approved by the Secretary of Administration and Finance under section 7(c) of chapter 293 of the acts of 2006, as amended by section 6 of chapter 129 of the acts of 2008, before January 1, 2017.
SECTION 98. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the term “Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency”, wherever it appears in the general and special laws, shall be deemed to mean “Massachusetts Development Finance Agency.”
SECTION 99. The Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation, established in section 3 of chapter 40J of the General Laws and doing business as the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, shall, subject to appropriation, create a cybersecurity and data analytics technology development and training center of excellence, in this section referred to as the center. The center shall convene interested public and private universities, governmental bodies and industry participants to share public and private data sets for the purposes of expanding the Commonwealth’s data analytics capabilities. The center may: (1) match public and private universities with industry participants to develop cybersecurity technology and expand data analytic capabilities; (2) provide a forum for sharing data sets for analysis; and (3) provide skills building and workforce training in cybersecurity and data analytics.
The collaborative shall file a report detailing the activities of the center not later than September 1, 2017 with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate who shall forward the same to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies.
SECTION 100. Sections 6 through 8, inclusive, 15 through 21, inclusive, 30, 31, 55 through 82, inclusive, 86 through 90, inclusive, and 92 shall take effect on January 1, 2017 and shall be effective for all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2017.
SECTION 101. Sections 22 through 27, inclusive, 34 through 54, inclusive, shall take effect on October 1, 2016.