Government Amendments

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-97

GOV 97

State Ethics Commission

Messrs. Moore, Lewis and Keenan moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0900-0100, by striking out the figure “$3,634,121” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$3,803,496”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-97-R1

Redraft GOV 97

State Ethics Commission

Messrs. Moore, Lewis, Keenan, O'Connor, Montigny, Eldridge and Cyr moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0900-0100, by striking out the figure “$3,634,121” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$3,664,121”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-98

GOV 98

Funding for the Office of the State Auditor

Mr. Moore moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0710-0000, by striking out the figure “$19,611,878” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$25,229,806”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-99

GOV 99

Voting Cost Certifications

Messrs. Moore, Tarr and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section __ the following section:-

“SECTION __. Chapter 54 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 25C the following section:-

Section 25D. Calculation of Reimbursements for Municipal Early Voting and Vote by Mail Costs.

No later than September 15 of each year, the division of local mandates, in consultation with the secretary of the Commonwealth, shall develop a reimbursement formula to be used for the following election cycles. This formula will be provided to the house and senate committees with appropriate jurisdiction and the secretary of administration and finance not later than September 15 for their review.

Said formula shall be based on a survey of municipalities conducted by the division of local mandates regarding the costs of the most recent previous state primary and general elections and will include cost factors for in-person early voting and vote-by-mail. This formula will be used to estimate costs for early voting and vote-by-mail reimbursements each city and town for the following 12 months.

For a specific election, a city or town may petition the state auditor to calculate its reimbursement without using the formula which, once certified by the division of local mandates, shall become the approved reimbursement for that election for that city or town. The reimbursement calculated by the reimbursement formula shall remain in effect for future elections, subject to future petitions to calculate non-formula reimbursements.

The secretary of the Commonwealth will provide the division of local mandates the actual number of ballots cast through in-person early voting and vote-by-mail, by municipality, upon request by the division of local mandates. Reimbursements shall be paid to municipalities by the secretary of the Commonwealth upon certification by the state auditor, subject to appropriation.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-100-R1

Redraft GOV 100

Improving Voting Access

Ms. Creem, Messrs. Eldridge, Lewis and Gomez, Ms. Rausch, Ms. Miranda, Messrs. Oliveira and Payano, Ms. Jehlen, Messrs. Feeney, Barrett and Rush, Ms. Kennedy, Ms. Edwards and Messrs. Crighton and Cronin moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 44 the following section:-

“SECTION 44A. Chapter 51 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out sections 37, 37A and 38, as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following 2 sections:-

Section 37. (a) The registrars shall maintain a register of voters, in this chapter called the register or the annual register, which shall contain the names and residential addresses of all registered voters in their city or town and reflect the names and residential addresses contained in the central registry of voters maintained by the state secretary under section 47C. The registrars shall add to the register the name and address of residential every person registering to vote under section 33A or 42 or automatically registered under sections 42G½ and 65. The registrars shall correct any error in the register after due investigation; provided, however, that the registrars shall only remove a name from the register in a manner consistent with the requirements of subsection (c).

(b) The register shall not include the name of a voter who provides the registrars with a copy of a court order granting protection, evidence of residence in a protective shelter or an affidavit signed by a chief of police or designee that the voter is entitled to have certain information withheld from the public inspection under section 24C of chapter 265.

(i) the voter so requests in writing;

(ii) the registrars receive notice from the city or town clerk under section 14 that the voter has died;

(iii) the registrars receive official written notice that the voter is: (a) incarcerated for a felony conviction; (b) disqualified by law because of corrupt practices in respect to elections; or (c) under guardianship that prohibits voting;

(iv) the registrars receive official written notice that the voter is registered to vote in another jurisdiction;

(v) the registrars determine that the voter is illegally or incorrectly registered after complaint, notice and hearing under sections 48 and 49;

(vi) the registrars determine that that voter no longer resides in their city or town as determined under section 38; or

(vii) the registrars obtain a death record from the department of public health indicating that the voter has died.

(d) The state secretary shall promulgate regulations to implement this section. To the extent feasible, the state secretary shall automate processes using the central registry of voters under section 47C.

Section 38. (a) The registrars shall maintain an inactive voters list. Except during the 90 days before a presidential or regular state primary or biennial state election, the registrars shall not remove a voter’s name and address from the register of voters and add it to the inactive voters list unless the registrars receive information that the voter no longer resides in their city or town from: (i) permanent change-of-address information supplied by the United States Postal Service or its licensee; or (ii) voter information shared pursuant to section 47C.

(b) registrars receiving information under subsection (a) showing that the voter has changed residence within their city or town shall update the voter’s address in the register accordingly and notify the voter in writing.

(c) Whenever the registrars remove a voter’s name and address from the register of voters and add it to the inactive voters list under subsection (a), the registrars shall mail to the voter at the address in the register a notice that the name of the voter may be removed from the voting list if the voter fails to respond to such notice and does not vote during the period ending with the second biennial state election following the mailing of the notice. The notice shall: (i) be postage prepaid; (ii) contain a return card preaddressed to the city or town clerk with return postage guaranteed; (iii) be sent by forwardable mail; (iv) instruct the voter to return the card before the last day to register if the voter did not change residence from the city or town; and (v) contain additional information about remaining eligible to vote, as prescribed by the state secretary.

(d) A voter whose name is on the inactive voters list may vote in their assigned precinct on a regular ballot upon said voter’s written affirmation of continued residence in the city or town.

(e) The registrars shall restore to the register of voters the name and address of a voter on the inactive voters list who notifies the registrars in writing of continued residence in the city or town or who votes in any primary or election, applies for a mail ballot, signs a nomination paper or petition for a ballot question using an address in their city of town or performs acts governed by this chapter or chapters 52, 53 or 54 that require such use of an address in their city or town.

(f) The registrars shall remove from the inactive voters list the name of a voter that has not been restored to the register under subsection (e) after 2 biennial state elections following the mailing of the notice under subsection (c). The registrars shall mail forwardable notice to the voter that the voter’s name has been removed from the inactive voters list; provided, however, that such notice shall also include information about remaining eligible to vote, as prescribed by the state secretary.

(g) The state secretary shall promulgate regulations to implement this section. To the extent feasible, the state secretary shall automate processes using the central registry of voters under section 47C.”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-100-R2

2nd Redraft GOV 100

Improving Voting Access

Ms. Creem, Messrs. Eldridge, Lewis and Gomez, Ms. Rausch, Ms. Miranda, Messrs. Oliveira and Payano, Ms. Jehlen, Messrs. Feeney, Barrett and Rush, Ms. Kennedy, Ms. Edwards, Messrs. Crighton and Cronin and Ms. Lovely moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 44 the following section:-

“SECTION 44A. Chapter 51 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out sections 37, 37A and 38, as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following 2 sections:-

Section 37. (a) The registrars shall maintain a register of voters, in this chapter called the register or the annual register, which shall contain the names and residential addresses of all registered voters in their city or town and reflect the names and residential addresses contained in the central registry of voters maintained by the state secretary under section 47C. The registrars shall add to the register the name and residential address of every person registering to vote under section 33A or 42 or automatically registered under sections 42G½ and 65. The registrars shall correct any error in the register after due investigation; provided, however, that the registrars shall only remove a name from the register in a manner consistent with the requirements of subsection (c).

(b) The register shall not include the name of a voter that is certified under section 2 of chapter 9A or who provides the registrars with a copy of a court order granting protection, evidence of residence in a protective shelter or an affidavit signed by a chief of police or designee that the voter is entitled to have certain information withheld from the public inspection under section 24C of chapter 265.

(i) the voter so requests in writing;

(ii) the registrars receive notice from the city or town clerk under section 14, a death record from the department of public health, or any other reliable information indicating that the voter has died;

(iv) the registrars receive official written notice that the voter is registered to vote in another jurisdiction;

(v) the registrars determine that the voter is illegally or incorrectly registered after complaint, notice and hearing under sections 48 and 49; or

(vi) the registrars determine that that voter no longer resides in their city or town as determined under section 38.

Section 38. (a) The registrars shall maintain an inactive voters list. The registrars shall not remove a voter’s name and address from the register of voters and add it to the inactive voters list unless the registrars receive information that the voter no longer resides in their city or town from: (i) permanent change-of-address information supplied by the United States Postal Service or its licensee; or (ii) to the Electronic Registration Information Center, Inc. under section 47C.

(b) Registrars receiving information under subsection (a) showing that the voter has changed residence within their city or town shall update the voter’s address in the register accordingly and notify the voter in writing.

(d) A voter whose name is on the inactive voters list may vote in their assigned precinct on a regular ballot upon said voter’s written affirmation of continued residence in the city or town.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-100

GOV 100

Improving Voting Access

SECTION A. Section 4 of chapter 51 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (c) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-

(c) In any city or town which communicates with residents by mail for the purpose of obtaining such information, registrars, assistant registrars or boards may require a response under the penalties of perjury.

SECTION B. Said chapter 51 is hereby further amended by striking out sections 37, 37A, and 38 and inserting in place thereof the following 2 sections:-

Section 37. (a) The registrars shall maintain a register of voters, in this chapter sometimes called the register or the annual register, which shall contain the names and residential addresses of all registered voters in their city or town, and which the state secretary shall reflect in the central registry of voters under section 47C. The registrars shall add to the register the name and address of every person registering to vote under section 33A or 42 or automatically registered under sections 42G½ and 65. They shall correct any error in the register after due investigation, but they shall not remove any name from the register except as subsection (c) provides.

(b) The register shall not include the name of a voter who provides the registrars with a copy of a court order granting protection, or evidence of residence in a protective shelter, or an affidavit signed by a chief of police or designee that the voter is entitled to have certain information withheld from the public under section 24C of chapter 265.

(1) the voter so requests in writing;

(2) they receive notice from the city or town clerk under section 14 that the voter has died;

(3) they receive official written notice that the voter is incarcerated after conviction of a felony, is disqualified by law because of corrupt practices in respect to elections, or is under guardianship that prohibits voting;

(4) they receive official written notice that the voter is registered to vote in another jurisdiction;

(5) they find that the voter is illegally or incorrectly registered after complaint, notice, and hearing under sections 48 and 49; or

(6) the voter no longer resides in their city or town, as determined under section 38.

(d) The state secretary may adopt regulations to carry out this section and section 38. The state secretary shall, to the extent possible, automate processes under this section and section 38, using the central registry of voters under section 47C. This section and section 38 apply to every city and town, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary.

Section 38. (a) The registrars shall maintain an inactive voters list under this section. Except during the 90 days immediately before a presidential or regular state primary or biennial state election, the registrars shall remove a voter’s name and address from the register of voters and add it to the inactive voters list, if and only if they receive information that the voter no longer resides in their city or town from:

(1) change-of-address information supplied by the United States Postal Service or its licensee; or

(2) the Electronic Registration Information Center, Inc. under section 47C.

(b) If the registrars receive information under subsection (a) showing that the voter has changed residence within their city or town, they shall update the voter’s address in the register accordingly, and shall notify the voter in writing.

(c) Whenever the registrars remove a voter’s name and address from the register of voters and add it to the inactive voters list under subsection (a), they shall mail to the voter at the address in the register notice that the name of the voter may be removed from the voting list if the voter fails to respond to the notice and does not vote during the period ending with the second biennial state election following the mailing of the notice. The notice shall (1) be postage prepaid; (2) contain a preaddressed and postage prepaid return card; (3) be sent by forwardable mail; (4) instruct the voter to return the card before the last day to register if the voter did not change residence from the city or town; and (5) contain additional information about remaining eligible to vote, as prescribed by the state secretary.

(d) A voter whose name is on the inactive voters list may vote on a regular ballot upon the voter’s written affirmation of continued residence in the city or town.

(e) The registrars shall restore to the register of voters the name and address of a voter on the inactive voters list who notifies them in writing of continued residence in the city or town or who votes in any primary or election, applies for a mail ballot, signs a nomination paper or petition for a ballot question, or performs any other official election-related act, using an address in their city or town

(f) After 2 biennial state elections following the mailing of the notice under subsection (c), the registrars shall remove from the inactive voters list the name of a voter that has not been restored to the register under subsection (e). The registrars shall mail forwardable notice to the voter that they have done so, including information about remaining eligible to vote, as prescribed by the state secretary.

SECTION C. Section 42 of said chapter 51, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the second sentence.

SECTION D. Whenever the term “annual register of voters” or “annual register,” meaning the annual register of voters, appears in any statute, charter, regulation, contract, or other document, that term means the register of voters established in section 37 of chapter 51 of the General Laws.

SECTION E. Chapter 54 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 24 the following section:-

Section 24A. To ensure compliance with federal and state laws concerning accessibility for voters with disabilities including the state secretary’s polling place accessibility regulations, an agent of the state secretary shall inspect, at least once every four years, each polling place most recently designated under section 24 and each early voting site most recently designated under subsection (b) of section 25B. The inspecting agent shall promptly and specifically report in writing to the state secretary and the city or town clerk every failure to comply with state and federal accessibility laws, and the responsible officials of the city or town shall take immediate action to ensure access for voters with disabilities and within 5 days submit to the state secretary a written plan to comply. If the city or town fails to take such immediate action or to submit a written plan to provide access to voters with disabilities, the state secretary may order the city or town to comply with the law. Not later than December 31 each year, the state secretary shall report in writing to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives on all activities under this section. The attorney general may bring a civil action in the superior court to enforce compliance with those accessibility laws, with a written plan, or with the state secretary’s order. The actions provided in this section shall not limit the availability of judicial remedies to any person, official, commission or board.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-101

GOV 101

Promoting public payroll transparency

Messrs. Tarr, Fattman, Keenan and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following section:-

"SECTION_. Chapter 6A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 16CC the following section:-

Section 16DD. (a) For purposes of this section, the term 'quasi-government agency' shall mean a corporation that: (i) is supported by the government to provide services to citizens, including, but not limited to, operating public buses and rail systems, developing drinking water and managing public pension information; and (ii) has certain budgetary, governing and policy-making independence from the executive and legislative branches.

(b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a quasi-government agency shall submit compensation information to the comptroller and the comptroller shall post such information on the commonwealth’s open checkbook website.

(c) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the state auditor shall publicly post audits conducted of a quasi-government agency on its website."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-101-R1

Redraft GOV 101

Promoting public payroll transparency

Messrs. Tarr, Fattman, Keenan and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 5 the following 2 sections:-

“SECTION 5A. Section 14C of chapter 7 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “Funding source” the following definition:-

“Quasi-public independent entity”, a corporation that: (i) is supported by the government to provide services to citizens, including, but not limited to, operating public buses and rail systems, developing drinking water and managing public pension information; and (ii) has certain budgetary, governing and policy-making independence from the executive and legislative branches.

SECTION 5B. Said section 14C of said chapter 7, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the following subsection:-

(i) A quasi-public independent entity shall submit compensation information to the comptroller who shall post such information on the searchable website. The state auditor shall publicly post audits conducted of quasi-public independent entities on its website.”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-102

GOV 102

Assisting Municipalities for Costs Associated with New Police Training Requirements

Messrs. Tarr, O'Connor, Moore and Fattman moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, by inserting after item 1106-0064 the following item:-

"XXXX-XXXX. For a reserve to assist municipalities to meet the expenses associated with the implementation of chapter 253 of the acts of 2020 with regards to training; provided, that the secretary of administration and finance may transfer funds from this item to state agencies as defined in section 1 of chapter 29 of the General Laws...................... $5,000,000".

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-103

GOV 103

Early Voting Reimbursement

Messrs. Tarr, Fattman and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section ___ the following section:-

"SECTION _. Section 25B of chapter 54 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(r) The commonwealth shall reimburse each city and town an amount sufficient to defray the mandated costs imposed on the city or town under this section; provided, however, that annually not later than September 15, the state auditor shall determine and deliver to the state secretary a statement of the incremental costs attributed to this section and costs incurred by each city and town in the previous fiscal year; and provided further, that this amount shall be limited to statutorily obligated expenses and shall not include incidental and subordinate local administration expenses as determined by the state auditor."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-104

GOV 104

Population Change Study

Messrs. Tarr, Fattman and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after SECTION _ the following section: 

"SECTION_. The University of Massachusetts shall conduct a study of changes in the population in the commonwealth in the last 10 years, projected changes in the next 10 years, the causes therefore and the impacts thereof, so as to inform the decisions of state government. In conducting said study, the university shall create and advisory panel for the purposes of consultation and  guidance, which shall include the Chancellor or a designee, representatives selected by the governor from the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, the Executive Office of Economic Development, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, the Executive Office of Education,  the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the department of revenue,  members of the university faculty with expertise in demographics, economics, health care, education and planning, two representatives of organized labor in the commonwealth, two representatives of employers in the commonwealth, and 3 members representing communities of different sizes in the commonwealth. 

 Said study shall examine population history and trends, factors impacting population changes such as levels of taxation, the costs of housing, energy, transportation and education,  climate change and adaptation, and any other relevant factors identified by the advisory panel. The study shall also examine the impacts of foreseeable population changes on the state's economy, housing, environmental protection, energy consumption, environmental protection, municipal and state tax revenue, state and local government spending, and municipalities and school districts. In conducting such study the university shall conduct no less than 3 public hearings in geographically diverse regions of the commonwealth, and shall consult with persons and organizations with relevant expertise. 

The university shall submit the report detailing the findings of said study with the clerks of the House and  Senate, not later than June 30, 2025. 

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-105

GOV 105

Study for the Competitiveness of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

Messrs. Tarr, Fattman, O'Connor and Moore moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, by adding the following words:- "; provided further, that the office shall conduct a review of the commonwealth's competitiveness with regard to the costs of taxation, labor, physical space, and  health insurance, compared to  other states, provided that the findings of said review and comparison shall be filed in a report to the clerks of the House and Senate no later than June 1, 2025." 

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-106

GOV 106

DOR Local Room Excise Data and Estimate

Messrs. Tarr, Fattman and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following section:-

"SECTION_. The Department of Revenue shall produce a report containing (i) a list of municipal bodies that have accepted the provisions of Section 3A of Chapter 64G, as so appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, and currently impose a local room occupancy excise; (ii) the current rate for which each municipal body who currently imposes said excise under said section 3A of said chapter 63G; (iii) total local room occupancy excise collected and distributed by the department from each accepting municipal body to the extent possible between fiscal year 2014 and fiscal year 2024, including each quarterly payment; and (iv) an estimation of any remaining fiscal year 2024 quarterly local room occupancy excise payments for accepting municipal bodies and estimated fiscal year 2025 quarterly local room occupancy excise payments for accepting municipal bodies. When conducting such report as required by this section, the Department of Revenue shall also include, to the extent possible, the total number of stays which exceeded 90 days in each accepting municipal body of each fiscal quarter. When providing any estimations as required by such report, the Department shall consider increases in stays that are expected to exceed 90 days due to the state of emergency declared by the Governor on August 8, 2023. Said report shall be filed with the clerk of the House of Representatives and the clerk of the Senate no later than 90 days after the effective date of this act."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-107

GOV 107

Work from Home Tax Incentive

Messrs. Tarr and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following sections:-

"SECTION_.Chapter 63 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding after section 31N, the following new section:-

Section 31O. (a) A business corporation shall be allowed a credit against its excise due under this chapter equal to $10 for each qualified remote employee for the taxable year.

(b) For the purposes of this section a “qualified remote employee” shall mean a salaried, full-time employee, as defined by section 31C, who utilizes their primary Massachusetts residence as their work place for at least 16 hours per week on average for the taxable year.

(c) The credit allowed hereunder for any taxable year shall not reduce the excise to less than the amount due under section thirty-nine (b) or sixty-seven.

SECTION _. Chapter 63 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding after section 31O as inserted by this Act, the following new section:-

SECTION 31P. (a) A business corporation shall be allowed a credit against its excise due under this chapter equal to fifteen per cent of the cost incurred during the taxable year for the purchase of business and communication equipment which are essential for employees to work remotely from their Massachusetts residence.

(b) The credit allowed hereunder for any taxable year shall not reduce the excise to less than the amount due under section thirty-nine (b) or sixty-seven.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-108

GOV 108

Sewage Line Tax Credit

Messrs. Tarr, Fattman and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following section:-

“SECTION _. Subsection (h) paragraph (2) of Section 6 of Chapter 62 of the General Laws, as so appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding after clause (i) the following new clause:

(ii) Any owner of residential property located in the commonwealth who is not a dependent of another taxpayer and who occupies said property as his principal residence, shall be allowed a credit for expenditures for design and construction expenses for the connection to newly installed municipal sewage lines. For the purposes of this clause a “newly installed” sewage line shall mean sewage line installed by municipality in the year 2021 or later. Such credit under this clause shall be equal to 40 per cent of said expenditure for connection to the sewage line. Said expenditures shall be the actual cost to the taxpayer or $25,000, whichever is less; provided, however, that said credit shall be available to eligible taxpayers beginning in the tax year in which the repair or replacement of said cesspool or septic system was completed; and provided, further, that said credit shall not exceed $2,500 in any tax year and any excess credit may be applied over the following two subsequent tax years up to an aggregate maximum of $5,000. The amount of any such credit shall be reduced by an amount equal to the total interest subsidy or grant received from the commonwealth, whether directly or indirectly, toward the cost of said expenditures. The department shall promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to administer the credit afforded by this subsection, including, but not limited to, a notification system by the commonwealth to recipients of said interest subsidy or grant of the amount of the total subsidy provided by the commonwealth.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-109

GOV 109

First Time Home Buyers Savings Account

Messrs. Tarr, Fattman and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following sections:-

"SECTION _. Chapter 62 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 5C the following new section:-

Section 5D. Definitions applicable to this section and section 5E.

The following words and phrases for the purposes of this sections and the following section shall have the following meanings:

“Account holder” means an individual who establishes, individually or jointly with one or more other individuals, a first-time homebuyer savings account.

“Allowable closing costs” means a disbursement listed on a settlement statement for the purchase of a single-family residence in Massachusetts by a qualified beneficiary.

“Eligible costs” means the down payment and allowable closing costs for the purchase of a single-family residence in Massachusetts by a qualified beneficiary.

“Financial institution” means any bank, trust company, savings institution, industrial loan association, consumer finance company, credit union, or any benefit association, insurance company, safe deposit company, money market mutual fund, or similar entity authorized to do business in Massachusetts.

“First-Time Homebuyer” means an individual who resides in Massachusetts and has not owned or purchased, either individually or jointly, a single-family residence during a period of three (3) years prior to the date of the purchase of a single-family residence.

“First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account” or “account” means an account with a financial institution that an account holder designates as a first-time home buyer savings account on the account holder’s Massachusetts income tax return for tax year 2024 or any tax year thereafter, pursuant to this Chapter for the purpose of paying or reimbursing eligible costs for the purchase of a single-family residence in Massachusetts by a qualified beneficiary.

“Qualified Beneficiary” means a first-time home buyer who is designated as the qualified beneficiary of an account designated by the account holder as a first-time home buyer savings account.

“Settlement Statement” means the statement of receipts and disbursements for a transaction related to real estate, including a statement prescribed under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974, 12 U.S.C. 2601 et seq., as amended, and regulations thereunder.

“Single-Family Residence” means a single-family residence owned and occupied by a qualified beneficiary as the qualified beneficiary’s principal residence, which may include a manufactured home, trailer, mobile home, condominium unit, or cooperative.

SECTION _. Chapter 62 is hereby amended by inserting after section 5D the following new section:-

Section 5E. Designation and Use of First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account.

(a) Beginning January 1, 2024, any individual may open an account with a financial institution and designate the account, in its entirety, as a first-time home buyer savings account to be used to pay or reimburse a qualified beneficiary’s eligible costs for the purchase of a single-family residence in Massachusetts.

(b) An account holder must designate no later than April 15 of the year following the tax year during which the account is established, a first-time home buyer as the qualified beneficiary of the first-time home buyer savings account. The account holder may designate himself or herself as the qualified beneficiary and may change the designated qualified beneficiary at any time, but there may not be more than one qualified beneficiary at any one time.

(c) An individual may jointly own a first-time home buyer savings account with another person if the joint account holders file a joint income tax return.

(d) An individual may be the account holder of more than one first-time home buyer savings account. However, an account holder cannot have multiple accounts that designate the same qualified beneficiary.

(e) An individual may be designated as the qualified beneficiary on more than one first-time home buyer savings account.

(f) Only cash and marketable securities may be contributed to a first-time home buyer savings account. Subject to the limitations of this section, persons other than the account holder may contribute funds to a first-time home buyer savings account. There is no limitation on the amount of contributions that may be made to or retained in a first-time home buyer savings account.

(g) The funds held in a first-time home buyer savings account shall not be used to pay expenses of administering the account, except that a service fee may be deducted from the account by a financial institution in which the account is held;

(h) The account holder shall submit the following to the department of revenue:

(1) detailed information regarding the first-time home buyer savings account, including a list of transactions for the account during the tax year and the Form 1099 issued by the financial institution for such account with the account holder’s Massachusetts income tax return on forms prepared by the department of revenue; and

(2) a detailed account of the eligible costs toward which the account funds were applied, if there was a withdrawal from the account, and a statement of the amount of funds remaining in the account, if any.

(i) Under this section and section 5D of this chapter, a financial institution shall not be required to:

(1) Designate an account as a first-time home buyer savings account, or designate the qualified beneficiaries of an account, in the financial institution’s account contracts or systems or in any other way;

(2) Track the use of funds withdrawn from a first-time home buyer savings account;

(3) Allocate funds in a first-time home buyer savings account among joint account holders or multiple qualified beneficiaries; or

(4) Report any information to the Department of Revenue or any other governmental agency that is not otherwise required by law.

(j) A financial institution is not responsible or liable for:

(1) Determining or ensuring that an account satisfies the requirements to be a first-time home buyer savings account;

(2) Determining or ensuring that funds in a first-time home buyer savings account are used for eligible costs; or

(3) Reporting or remitting taxes or penalties related to the use of a first-time home buyer savings account.

(k) Except as otherwise provided in this section and subject to the limitations under this subsection, there shall be deducted from taxable income of an account holder, for Massachusetts income tax purposes:

(1) the amount contributed to a first-time home buyer savings account during each tax year, not to exceed $5,000 for an account holder who files an individual tax return or $10,000 for joint account holders who file a joint tax return.

(2) the amount of earnings, including interest and other income on the principal, from the first-time home buyer savings account during the tax year.

(l) An account holder may claim the deduction and exclusion under subsection (k):

(1) For a period not to exceed 15 years;

(2) For an aggregate total amount of principal and earnings, not to exceed $50,000 during that 15-year period; and

(3) Only if the principal and earnings of the account remain in the account until a withdrawal is made for eligible costs related to the purchase of a single-family residence by a qualified beneficiary, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(m) Any funds in a first-time home buyer savings account not expended on eligible costs by December 31 of the last year of the 15-year period under Subsection 7(2)(a) of this Chapter shall thereafter be included in the account holder’s taxable income.

(n) A person other than the account holder who deposits funds in a first-time home buyer savings account shall not be entitled to the deduction and exclusion provided for under this Chapter.

(o) The deduction and exclusion from taxable income provided for by this Section shall apply to any alternative bases for calculating taxable income for Massachusetts income tax purposes.

(p) Except as otherwise authorized in this of this section, if the account holder withdraws any funds from a first-time home buyer savings account for a purpose other than eligible costs for the purchase of a single-family residence:

(1) Those funds shall be included in the account holder’s taxable income; and

(2) The account holder shall pay a penalty to the Department of Revenue equal to the tax that would have been collected had the withdrawn funds been subject to income tax. Such penalty shall not apply to funds withdrawn from an account that were:

(i) Withdrawn by reason of the account holder’s death or disability;

(ii) A disbursement of assets of the account pursuant to a filing for protection under the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.; or

(iii) A transfer of the funds from a first-time home buyer savings account to a new first-time home buyer savings account held by a different financial institution or the same financial institution.

(q) The Department of Revenue shall prepare forms for:

(1) The designation of an account with a financial institution to serve as a first-time home buyer savings account;

(2) The designation of a qualified beneficiary of a first-time home buyer savings account; and

(3) For an account holder to annually submit to the Department of Revenue detailed information regarding the first-time home buyer savings account, including but not limited to a list of transactions for the account during the tax year, and identifying any supporting documentation that is required to be maintained by the account holder."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-111

GOV 111

Hope for Youth Arts Center

Messrs. Gomez and Oliveira moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0640-0300, by adding the following:- “; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the rehabilitation of an old venue to expand arts opportunities for youth and increase the capacity of existing arts organizations in the city of Springfield”; and by striking out the figure "$25,895,000" and inserting in place thereof the following figures “$25,920,000”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-111-R1

Redraft GOV 111

Hope for Youth Arts Center

Messrs. Gomez and Oliveira moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0640-0300, by adding the following words:- “; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for Hope for Youth and Families, Inc. to expand arts opportunities for youth and increase the capacity of existing arts organizations in the city of Springfield”; and by striking out the figure "$25,546,197" and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$25,571,197”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-112

GOV 112

Public Access to Historical Records

Messrs. Barrett and Brady, Ms. Rausch and Messrs. Eldridge and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting the following section:-

“SECTION X. Section 7 of Chapter 66 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- All records in the custody of the state secretary shall be open to public inspection and available for copying after the expiration of 75 years from the creation of the record.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-113

GOV 113

Credit Card Audit

Messrs. Tarr, Fattman and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following section:-

“SECTION _. The first paragraph of section 12 of chapter 11 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the first sentence the following sentence:- The state auditor shall have access to employee credit card records for such accounts and shall ensure integrity and accountability of employee credit card usage.”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-114-R1

Redraft GOV 114

Matched Savings Programs

Messrs. Eldridge and Lewis, Ms. Rausch, Messrs. Feeney and O'Connor and Ms. Edwards moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0610-0010, by adding the following words:- "and provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to the MIDAS Collaborative, Inc. as a fiscal intermediary for matched-savings programs, which help to close critical racial and other wealth gaps of low-to-moderate-income households, in partnership with financial institutions, community development corporations, community foundations and other community-based organizations"; and by striking out the figure "$1,376,701” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- "$1,626,701".

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-114

GOV 114

Matched Savings Programs

Messrs. Eldridge and Lewis, Ms. Rausch and Messrs. Feeney and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0610-0010, by inserting after the word "Laws", the following words; "and provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to the MIDAS Collaborative, Inc. as a fiscal intermediary for matched savings programs, which help to close critical racial and other wealth gaps of low-to-moderate-income households, in partnership with financial institutions, community development corporations, community foundations and other community-based organizations"; and by striking out the figure "$1,376,701” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- "$1,626,701".

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-115

GOV 115

Sick Time Payout

Mr. Tarr moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 19 the following sections:-

“SECTION 1. Section 31A of chapter 29 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:- (e) No employee of the commonwealth shall be paid for more than 1,000 hours of unused sick leave credits.”; and

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, section _shall take effect for any employee of the commonwealth who has accrued not more than 1,000 hours of unused sick leave credits.

SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the personnel administrator of the human resources division shall promulgate revised rules under the second paragraph of section 28 of chapter 7 of the General Laws to incorporate the changes enacted in section 1.

SECTION 4. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, in the event of a conflict between section 1 and the terms of a collective bargaining agreement, the terms of the collective bargaining agreement shall prevail.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-116

GOV 116

Cashless Lottery

Mr. Tarr moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting in SECTION 7 in line 7 after, "section 5I of chapter 18", the following: "; and provided further, that the commission shall pay any fee associated with facilitating point of sale transactions with a debit card"

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-117

GOV 117

Deduction of Interest From Savings in Massachusetts Banks Repeal

Mr. Tarr moved that the proposed new text be amended by striking SECTION 46 in its entirety

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-118

GOV 118

Application of Excess Capital Gains

Messrs. Tarr and Fattman moved that the proposed new text be amended by striking SECTION 89 in its entirety

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-119

GOV 119

Lottery Operational Funding

Messrs. Feeney and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0640-0000, by striking out the figure “$108,276,295” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$113,624,897”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-120

GOV 120

Lottery Operation Adjustments

Messrs. Feeney and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by striking out section 8 and inserting in place thereof the following sections: -

"SECTION ___.The second paragraph of section 27 of said chapter 10, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following 2 sentences:- No member of the commission or covered state employee or member of their immediate family residing in the same household in the principal place of abode of any member of the commission or covered state employee, or legal entity that includes such a person as an officer, director, member, partner, owner, investor or an individual that has a financial interest in the entity, unless said interest is in a publicly traded company by ownership of shares of less than 10 per cent of all issued stock, shall be issued a license to sell lottery tickets. For the purposes of this paragraph, “covered state employee” shall mean a state employee, as defined in section 1 of chapter 268A, or a special state employee, as defined in section 1 of chapter 268A, of the commission, and “immediate family” shall have the same meaning as defined in section 1 of chapter 268A.

SECTION ___. Section 26 of said chapter 10, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:- The state treasurer shall, subject to the approval of the governor, appoint a director of the state lottery, hereinafter called the director, who shall serve at the pleasure of the state treasurer, shall devote their entire time and attention to the duties of the office and to such official duties specified by the state treasurer subject to the approval of the governor, and shall receive such salary as the commission may determine.

SECTION ___. Said section 26 of said chapter 10, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 39 to 40, the words “, provided, however, that no person shall be assigned more than one license to sell lottery tickets or shares”.

SECTION ___. Section 27A of said chapter 10, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 31 to 33, inclusive, the words “in a newspaper of general circulation in the area including the municipality where said Keno licensee will operate” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- on the commission’s website.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-121

GOV 121

Race Horse Development Fund

Messrs. Feeney and Pacheco, Ms. Rausch and Messrs. O'Connor, Timilty and Cronin moved that the proposed new text be amended by striking out sections 25 and 26.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-122

GOV 122

District Local Technical Assistance

Messrs. Eldridge, Tarr, O'Connor, Mark, Brady, Pacheco and Gomez, Ms. Edwards and Ms. Lovely moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 1599-0026, in line 9, by striking the figure “$3,000,000” and inserting in place thereof the figure:- “$3,400,000,” and further in said item by striking the figure “$12,000,000” and inserting in place thereof the figure:- “$12,400,000”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-123

GOV 123

Increasing the Asset Limit for Seniors in MassHealth

Messrs. Feeney and Brady, Ms. Rausch, Ms. Jehlen and Messrs. O'Connor and Montigny moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section __ the following section: -

"SECTION __. Section 25 of chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after subsection (6) the following:

(7) resources in the amount of $10,000 per individual and $15,000 per couple.

The division shall submit a state plan amendment to implement this section no later than 30 days after the effective date of this section and subsequently promulgate all regulations necessary to implement said income and resource exemptions.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-124

GOV 124

Veterans' Bonus Division - Administrative Costs

Messrs. Velis and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0610-2000, by striking out the figure “$300,000” and inserting in place thereof the figure:- “$500,000”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-125

GOV 125

Advisory commission to design a new seal, flag, and motto for the Commonwealth

Mr. Lewis and Ms. Rausch moved that the proposed new text be amended By inserting the following section:-

Section X. (a) The governor shall establish an advisory commission as recommended in the report of the Special Commission Relative to the Seal and Motto of the Commonwealth as established in chapter 2 of the Resolves of 2020 which shall propose a new seal, flag, and motto of the commonwealth.

Members of the advisory commission shall include, but not be limited to, representatives or designees of the commission on Indian affairs, the office on disability, Massachusetts historical commission, Massachusetts cultural council, Mass Humanities, the Secretary of the commonwealth, executive office of education and other stakeholders as chosen by the governor. The advisory commission shall be co-chaired by 2 members as determined by the governor.

(b) The advisory commission shall make recommendations for the adoption of: (i) a new design for the state seal and state flag; provided that the state flag and state seal may or may not be the same; and (ii) a new state motto.

The advisory commission may issue a public request for proposals for a professional designer based in Massachusetts to prepare a new seal and flag design based on the symbols and terms proposed by the advisory commission. The advisory commission shall review the proposals and select a final design for a new seal and flag of the commonwealth, and a new motto of the commonwealth. The advisory commission may create a public process or hold public hearings to solicit design ideas from the general public.

(d) Following the selection of a new state motto, and new designs for the seal and flag by the advisory commission, the governor shall submit legislation to the General Court to amend sections 1, 2, 3 and 5 of chapter 2 of the General Laws.

(e) The advisory commission shall develop recommendations for implementation of the new state motto and the new designs of the state seal and flag, including, but not limited to: (i) a timeline and cost estimates; and (ii) educational programs to help residents understand local Native history and the historical underpinnings of the previous and new seals, mottos, and flags from a Native perspective.

(f) The advisory commission shall make its final recommendations not more than 12 months after the date of enactment of this act. The governor shall submit legislation pursuant to this section no later than 13 months after the date of enactment of this act.

And by inserting the following item:

“xxxx-xxxx For the advisory commission on the state seal, flag, and motto established pursuant to section X of this act………………………………….$250,000

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-125-R1

Redraft GOV 125

Advisory commission to design a new seal, flag, and motto for the Commonwealth

Mr. Lewis, Ms. Rausch and Ms. Miranda moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 7008-0900, by adding the following words:- “; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the office to establish an advisory commission as recommended in the report of the special commission relative to the seal and motto of the commonwealth as established in chapter 2 of the resolves of 2020, which shall propose a new seal, flag and motto of the commonwealth; provided further, that members of the advisory commission shall include the executive director of the commission on Indian affairs or a designee, an additional designee chosen by the executive director of the commission on Indian Affairs, the director of the Massachusetts office on disability or a designee, a member of the Massachusetts historical commission chosen by the state secretary, the executive director of the Massachusetts cultural council or a designee, the executive director of Mass Humanities or a designee, the state secretary or a designee, the secretary of education or a designee, the executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism or a designee and 1 other member chosen by the governor; provided further, that the advisory commission shall be co-chaired by 2 members as determined by the governor; provided further, that all appointments shall be made, and the first meeting of the advisory commission shall be held, within 60 days of enactment; provided further, that the advisory commission shall make recommendations for the adoption of: (i) a new design for the state seal; (ii) a new design for the state flag, which may or may not be the same design as the state seal; and (iii) a new state motto; provided further, the advisory commission may issue a public request for proposals for a professional designer to prepare a new seal design and flag design based on the symbols and terms proposed by the advisory commission; provided further, that the advisory commission may create a public process and hold public hearings to solicit design ideas from the general public; provided further, that the advisory commission shall review all proposed designs and select a final design for a new seal and new flag of the commonwealth and a new motto of the commonwealth; provided further, that the advisory commission shall develop recommendations for implementation of the new state motto and the new designs of the state seal and flag, including, but not limited to: (i) a timeline and cost estimates; and (ii) educational programs to help residents understand local indigenous history and the historical underpinnings of the previous and new seals, mottos and flags from an indigenous perspective; provided further, that following the selection of a new state motto and new designs for the seal and flag by the advisory commission, the governor shall submit legislation to the general court to amend relevant sections of the General Laws to codify the new state motto and designs for the seal and flag; provided further, that the advisory commission shall make its final recommendations not more than 12 months after the passage of this act”; and by striking out the figure “$568,309” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$668,309.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-125-R2

2nd Redraft GOV 125

Advisory commission to design a new seal, flag, and motto for the Commonwealth

Mr. Lewis, Ms. Rausch and Ms. Miranda moved that the proposed new text be amended by adding the following words:- “; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the office to establish an advisory commission as recommended in the report of the special commission relative to the seal and motto of the commonwealth as established in chapter 2 of the resolves of 2020, which shall propose a new seal, flag and motto of the commonwealth; provided further, that members of the advisory commission shall include the executive director of the commission on Indian affairs or a designee, an additional designee chosen by the executive director of the commission on Indian Affairs, the director of the Massachusetts office on disability or a designee, a member of the Massachusetts historical commission chosen by the state secretary, the executive director of the Massachusetts cultural council or a designee, the executive director of Mass Humanities or a designee, the state secretary or a designee, the secretary of education or a designee, the executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism or a designee and 1 other member chosen by the governor; provided further, that the advisory commission shall be co-chaired by 2 members as determined by the governor; provided further, that all appointments shall be made, and the first meeting of the advisory commission shall be held, within 60 days of enactment; provided further, that the advisory commission shall make recommendations for the adoption of: (i) a new design for the state seal; (ii) a new design for the state flag, which may or may not be the same design as the state seal; and (iii) a new state motto; provided further, the advisory commission may issue a public request for proposals for a professional designer to prepare a new seal design and flag design based on the symbols and terms proposed by the advisory commission; provided further, that the advisory commission may create a public process and hold public hearings to solicit design ideas from the general public; provided further, that the advisory commission shall select three options for the designs for a new seal and new flag of the commonwealth and new motto of the commonwealth and shall hold not less than three public hearings in geographically diverse locations across the commonwealth to solicit public input; provided further, that the advisory commission shall select a final design for a new seal and new flag of the commonwealth and a new motto of the commonwealth; provided further, that the advisory commission shall develop recommendations for implementation of the new state motto and the new designs of the state seal and flag, including, but not limited to: (i) a timeline and cost estimates; and (ii) educational programs to help residents understand local indigenous history and the historical underpinnings of the previous and new seals, mottos and flags from an indigenous perspective; provided further, that following the selection of a new state motto and new designs for the seal and flag by the advisory commission, the governor shall submit legislation to the general court to amend relevant sections of the General Laws to codify the new state motto and designs for the seal and flag; provided further, that the advisory commission shall make its final recommendations not more than 12 months after the passage of this act”; and by striking out the figure “$568,309” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$668,309.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-127-R1

Redraft GOV 127

Massachusetts State Athletic Commission

Messrs. Finegold and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2E, by inserting after item 1595-1075 the following item:-

“1595-7006 For a transfer to the State Athletic Commission Fund established in section 2AAAA of chapter 29 of the General Laws for the costs of operating and administering the state athletic commission…………………………..$500,000”; and

By inserting after section 28 the following section:-

“SECTION 28A. Said chapter 29, is hereby amended by striking out section 2AAAA, as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 2AAAA. There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate, non-budgeted, special revenue fund to be known as the State Athletic Commission Fund, to be administered by the division of occupational licensure. The fund shall be credited with: (i) appropriations, bond proceeds or other money authorized or transferred by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; and (ii) any monies from licensing fees or other fees and fines collected under sections 32 to 35, inclusive, of chapter 147, sections 40, 40A and 42 of said chapter 147 and section 12 of chapter 265. Amounts credited to the fund shall be available for expenditure without further appropriation by the division of occupational licensure up to an amount not to exceed $500,000 each fiscal year for the costs of operating and administering the state athletic commission; provided, however, that if the amount credited to the fund exceeds $500,000 at the end of any fiscal year, any such excess shall revert to the General Fund and be made available for appropriation. For the purposes of accommodating discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the department may incur expense and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-127

GOV 127

Massachusetts State Athletic Commission

Messrs. Finegold and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2E, by inserting after item XXXX-XXXX the following item:-

“xxxx-xxxx For a transfer to the State Athletic Commission Fund established in section 2AAAA of chapter 29 of the General Laws for the costs of operating and administering the state athletic commission…………………………..$750,000”;

and by adding the following new section:-

“SECTION XX. Chapter 29 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out section 2AAAA and inserting in place thereof the following:-

Section 2AAAA. State Athletic Commission Fund

There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the State Athletic Commission Fund, in this section referred to as the fund, to be administered by the division of occupational licensure. The fund shall be credited any appropriations, bond proceeds or other monies authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited thereto and any monies from licensing fees or other fees and fines collected under sections 32 to 35, inclusive, sections 40, 40A and 42 of chapter 147 and section 12 of chapter 265. The amounts credited to the fund shall be available for expenditure without further appropriation by the division of occupational licensure up to an amount not to exceed $750,000 each fiscal year for the costs of operating and administering the state athletic commission; provided, however, that if the amount credited to the fund exceeds $750,000 at the end of each fiscal year, such excess funds shall revert to the General Fund and be made available for appropriation. For the purposes of accommodating discrepancies between the receipt of retained revenues and related expenditures, the department may incur expense and the comptroller may certify for payment amounts not to exceed the lower of this authorization or the most recent revenue estimate as reported in the state accounting system.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-129

GOV 129

Child Protection Program

Ms. Kennedy and Messrs. Tarr and Moore moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0930-0100, by adding the following words:- “; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for a hospital-based, comprehensive child protection program at University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center providing pediatric abusive injury care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including: (i) medical evaluation and diagnosis services in cases of pediatric sexual abuse, sexual assault, physical abuse and neglect; (ii) timely health care evaluations and examinations for children entering foster care; and (iii) trainings of medical, educational and social service professionals regarding physical and mental health issues for victims of abuse;"; and by striking out the figure “$3,892,352” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$4,142,352”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-134

GOV 134

Post-Retiree Task Force

Messrs. Tarr and Fattman moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following section:-

"SECTION_. There shall be a task force to study post-retirement employment. The task force shall consist of the 21 members: 1 of whom shall be a member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives who shall serve as co-chair; 1 of whom shall be a member appointed by the president of the senate who shall serve as co-chair; 1 of whom shall be a member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 of whom shall be a member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 1 of whom shall be the executive director of the public employee retirement administration commission; 1 of whom shall be the executive director of the state retirement board or designee; 1 of whom shall be the executive director of the Massachusetts teachers’ retirement system or designee; 1 of whom shall be the secretary for administration and finance or designee; 1 of whom shall be the comptroller or designee; 1 of whom shall be the inspector general or designee; 1 of whom shall be the commissioner of the department of revenue or designee; 4 of whom shall be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a member of a state employee union, 1 of whom shall be a member of a municipal employee union, 1 of whom shall be a member of a local retirement board, and 1 of whom shall be an economist; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the Massachusetts Municipal Association; 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation; 1 of whom shall be a representative of Common Cause Massachusetts; 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau; and 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau.

The task force shall evaluate the process, limits and controls for post-retirement employment by public employees subject to section 91 of chapter 32 of the General Laws. The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) an evaluation of proposed standards to track post-retirement earnings and hours; (ii) an evaluation of proposed disclosure and reporting requirements for public retirees and employers, including verification of potential employees status as a public retiree; (iii) an evaluation of a system for reporting such post-retirement status to an oversight agency; (iv) an examination of methods to simplify the post-retirement earnings cap; (v) an evaluation of the feasibility of the department of revenue to conduct an annual earnings match for all public retirees; (vi) an evaluation of the feasibility of creating a new agency tasked with enforcing post-retirement earnings limits or enhancing the enforcement authority of the public employee retirement administration commission; (vii) an examination of proposed financial penalties for public retirees who knowingly and willfully exceed their post-retirement earnings cap; (viii) an evaluation of the different ways a public retiree may work for another public entity including as contractors, part-time employees, staff-augmentation resources, or any other employment model, along with recommendations to provide guidance for the use or prohibition of such models; and (ix) any other information the task force deems relevant.

All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than 15 days after the effective date of this act. The task force shall hold its first meeting not later than 30 days after the effective date of this act and shall meet at least monthly thereafter. The task force shall submit a report of its study, findings and recommendations, together with any draft legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate not later than June 30, 2025.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-134-R1

Redraft GOV 134

Post-Retiree Task Force

Messrs. Tarr and Fattman moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 106 the following section:-

“SECTION 106A. There shall be a task force to study post-retirement employment of public employees. The task force shall consist of: 1 member appointed by the president of the senate who shall serve as co-chair; 1 member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives who shall serve as co-chair; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; the executive director of the public employee retirement administration commission or a designee; the executive director of the state retirement board or a designee; the executive director of the teachers’ retirement system or a designee; the inspector general or a designee; the commissioner of revenue or a designee; the president of the Retired State County & Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts; the executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Inc.; the president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Inc.; and 2 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a member of a union representing state employees and 1 of whom shall be a member of a union representing municipal employees.

The task force shall evaluate the process, limits and controls for post-retirement employment of public employees subject to section 91 of chapter 32 of the General Laws. The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) an evaluation of proposed standards to track post-retirement earnings and hours; (ii) an evaluation of proposed disclosure and reporting requirements for public retirees and employers, including verification of potential employees’ status as a public retiree; (iii) an evaluation of a system for reporting such post-retirement status to an oversight agency; (iv) an examination of methods to simplify the post-retirement earnings cap; (v) an evaluation of the feasibility of the department of revenue to conduct an annual earnings match for all public retirees; (vi) an evaluation of the feasibility of creating a new agency tasked with enforcing post-retirement earnings limits or enhancing the enforcement authority of the public employee retirement administration commission; (vii) an examination of proposed financial penalties for public retirees who knowingly and willfully exceed their post-retirement earnings cap; (viii) an evaluation of the different ways a public retiree may work for another public entity including as contractors, part-time employees, staff augmentation resources or any other employment model, along with recommendations to provide guidance for the use or prohibition of such models; and (ix) any other information the task force deems relevant.

The task force shall submit a report of its study, findings and recommendations, together with any draft legislation necessary to effectuate such recommendations, by filing it with the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives not later than June 30, 2025.”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-135

GOV 135

Local Options Taxes

Mr. Eldridge moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section __ the following section: -

SECTION __. Section 2 of chapter 64L of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “cent”, in line 4, the following words:- "or." 1.5 per cent

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-138

GOV 138

Massachusetts Military Support Foundation

Ms. Moran and Messrs. Feeney, Tarr and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 1410-0010, by adding the following words:- “; provided further, that $100,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation to support the distribution of food to veterans in need in the counties of Barnstable and Bristol”; and by striking out the figure “$11,729,113” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$11,829,113”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-138-R1

Redraft GOV 138

Massachusetts Military Support Foundation

Ms. Moran, Messrs. Feeney, Tarr and O'Connor, Ms. Edwards and Mr. Cyr moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 1410-0010, by adding the following words:- “; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, Inc. to support the distribution of food to veterans in need in the counties of Barnstable and Bristol”; and by striking out the figure “$11,729,113” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$11,829,113”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-139

GOV 139

Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

Ms. Moran and Messrs. O'Connor and Feeney moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 7006-0000, by striking out the figure “$1,686,160” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$1,742,586”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-141

GOV 141

Transparency for the Cost of Consultants

Messrs. Tarr, O'Connor and Fattman moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following section:-

"SECTION_. The comptroller shall develop, deploy, administer and maintain a public, searchable database containing information relative to contracts for consulting to which any agency of the commonwealth is a party, for which the total annual cost exceeds $ 50,000, provided that such database shall include but not be limited to : the agency procuring the contract and any agencies participating in its execution, the contract provider or vendor, the terms or language of the contract , the dates of award, beginning, and end of the contract, and, to the extent a contract is for the provision of personal services, the compensation for any person providing such services, which shall be detailed in like manner as the compensation information for state employees contained in the comptroller's 'open checkbook' system, so called, provided that such database shall be accessible to the public on a convenient electronic platform not later than May 1, 2025, and shall be updated to the maximum feasible extent, which shall be in increments of not less than 60 days."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-142

GOV 142

POST Commission Operations

Mr. Eldridge moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0800-0000, by striking the figure “$8,660,002” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$8,747,477”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-145

GOV 145

Fixing the State Primary Date

Ms. Rausch and Mr. O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section ___ the following new section:-

SECTION XX. Chapter 53 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out section 28 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 28. (1) (a) State primaries shall be held on the second Tuesday in June in even-numbered years and on the fourth Tuesday preceding special state elections, except that primaries before special elections for senator or representative in congress shall be held on the sixth Tuesday preceding said elections.

(b) If a religious holiday falls on or immediately before the second Tuesday in June in an even-numbered year, the state primary shall be held on a date set by the state secretary within 7 days of the second Tuesday in June.

(2) The state secretary shall publish the date of the state primary not later than February 1 of each even-numbered year by: (i) providing notice of the date to the state parties; (ii) filing notice with the state publications and regulations division; (iii) posting the information on the website of the state secretary; and (iv) any other means necessary to ensure proper notification.

(3) (a) Presidential primaries shall be held on the first Tuesday in March in any year in which presidential electors are to be elected.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any town may hold its preliminary or regular town elections on the same date designated as the date to hold a presidential primary, in any year in which presidential electors are to be elected, provided that such election is by a ballot independent of the ballot used at a presidential primary. City and town primaries before all city and town elections shall be held on the twenty-eighth day preceding such elections.

(4) Except in Boston, primaries shall be held wholly or partly by wards, precincts or towns, as the city or town executive body may designate.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law, town charter or by-law to the contrary, if the date for holding a preliminary, primary, or town election or annual town meeting falls within 30 days before or after the presidential primary, the town executive body, after consulting the town clerk may, by majority vote, establish a date between February 1 and May 31 for holding such preliminary, primary or town election or annual town meeting. Any preliminary, primary or town election or annual meeting shall be held on the date or dates established and shall be called as provided by sections 9A and 10 of chapter 39.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, if the date for holding a district election falls within 30 days before or after the presidential primary, the prudential committee, if any, otherwise the commissioners, of the district may, by majority vote, establish a date between February 1 and May 31 for holding such district election. Any district election shall be held on the date established and shall be called as provided by section 119 of chapter 41. For the purposes of this section, district shall mean a district created by special law or established under the provisions of a general law.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-146

GOV 146

Office of climate innovation and resilience

Messrs. Tarr, Fattman and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0411-1020, by inserting at the end of the item the following words:- "; provided that the office of climate innovation and resilience shall submit quarterly reports to the clerks of the house and senate, the report shall include but not be limited to receipts, expenditures, policy directives, and activities of the Governor's climate cabinet".

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-147

GOV 147

Inspector General Oversight

Messrs. Tarr, Keenan, Moore, O'Connor and Fattman moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0910-0200, by adding the following words:- "; provided further, $200,000 shall be expended for oversight related to the Commonwealth’s response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and influx of families seeking shelter" and by striking the figure "$5,584,969" and inserting in place thereof the following:-"$5,784,969".

and by inserting after section _ the following section:-

"SECTION_. The office of the inspector general, shall, subject to appropriation, convene a special unit for the purpose of providing ongoing and comprehensive oversight of actions taken by the commonwealth in response to the ongoing crisis attributable to the influx of migrants into the state.

Such special unit shall identify , review, and analyze the cost and cost - effectiveness of specialized contracts and procurements for such resources as food, and housing.

Said unit shall file reports , together with legislative and regulatory recommendations, with the clerks of the House and Senate, the Senate and House Committees on Ways and Means, and the Secretary of Administration and Finance quarterly, beginning not later than 3 months following the passage of this act, for a period of not less than 3 years , unless otherwise such requirement is otherwise modified, terminated, or extended, provided that such reports shall also be posted electronically so as to enable public inspection."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-148

GOV 148

Caribbean Cultural Center Assessment

Mr. Collins moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 0640-0300, by inserting after the word "travel" the following words:- "; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Operations Cabinet for the city of Boston for a needs assessment on a Caribbean Cultural Center".