Amendment #43 to H5264

Making Fair Share Equal for all Massachusetts residents

Mr. Thurber of Somerset moves to amend the bill  by adding the following sections:-

SECTION X. Section2DDDDDD of Chapter 29 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(c ) Annually, not later than October 31, the comptroller shall transfer from the Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital Fund to the Municipal Roads and Schools Capital Distribution Fund established in section 2EEEEEE an amount equal to not less than $100,000,000 or 50 per cent of the balance credited to the fund during the preceding fiscal year pursuant to subsection (c) of section 2BBBBBB, whichever is greater; provided, however, that such transfer shall occur prior to any appropriation of amounts credited to the fund under subsection (a).

SECTION Y. Chapter 29 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following new section:-

Section 2IIIIII.

Chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 2HHHHHH the following new section:-

Section 2IIIIII. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund known as the Municipal Roads and Schools Capital Distribution Fund. The fund shall be credited with: (i) funds transferred pursuant to subsection (c) of section 2DDDDDD; (ii) appropriations or other money authorized or transferred by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (iii) funds from public and private sources, including, but not limited to, gifts, grants and donations; and (iv) any interest earned on the assets of the fund. The fund shall not be subject to section 5C.

(b) Annually, not later than December 31, the comptroller shall distribute all amounts credited to the fund during the preceding fiscal year to municipalities as follows: each city and town shall receive a proportional share based on its population as a percentage of the total population of the commonwealth as determined by the most recent federal decennial census or the most recent annual municipal census certified by the secretary of the commonwealth, whichever is more recent.

(c) Each municipality shall apply amounts received under this section as follows: (i) not less than 50 per cent for capital expenditures for the repair, maintenance, construction or reconstruction of roads and bridges within the municipality; and (ii) not less than 50 per cent for capital expenditures for public school facilities and equipment within the municipality. No amounts distributed under this section shall be expended for recurring operational expenses, including but not limited to employee compensation and benefits.

(d) Amounts distributed under this section may be applied to retire existing capital debt obligations of the municipality or reserved for future capital expenditures consistent with the purposes set forth in subsection (c). Unexpended balances retained by a municipality shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years consistent with said subsection (c).

(e) Annually, not later than March 31, each municipality receiving a distribution under this section shall submit a report to the comptroller certifying the use of amounts received, delineated by category under subsection (c). The comptroller shall compile and publish a summary of all municipal reports on a publicly accessible website not later than 90 days after the municipal reporting deadline.

(f) The comptroller shall certify the balance of the fund at the end of each fiscal year

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #43 to H5264

Making Fair Share Equal for all Massachusetts residents