Consolidated Amendment "E" to H5500
Constitutional Officers & State Administration/Transportation
Fiscal Note: $3,426,266
Constitutional Officers & State Administration: 2, 3, 9, 10, 18, 20, 24, 31, 40, 58, 59, 82, 83, 85, 90, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 101, 107, 111, 115, 124, 141, 149, 160, 187, 189, 219, 222, 228, 230, 236, 237, 241, 256, 274, 278, 301, 321, 331, 333, 355, 377, 387, 394, 406, 414, 446, 461, 479, 486, 488, 509, 517, 518, 519, 521, 526, 535, 538, 540, 560, 563, 585, 600, 608, 619, 623, 626, 642, 649, 666, 678, 681, 710, 711, 736, 759, 761, 788, 816, 826, 833, 835, 837, 846, 849, 852, 864, 866, 868, 872, 877, 889, 908, 930, 962, 974, 988, 991, 1008, 1016, 1017, 1049, 1124, 1141, 1145, 1151, 1166, 1167, 1192, 1209, 1211, 1217, 1230, 1242, 1293, 1301, 1302, 1322, 1325, 1332, 1343, 1344, 1346, 1359, 1387, 1439, 1440, 1447, 1450, 1461, 1466, 1482, 1587, 1601, 1610, 1611, 1635, 1641, 1693 and 1704
Transportation: 239, 242, 294, 338, 343, 357, 380, 476, 537, 541, 554, 828, 843, 879, 1058, 1082, 1123, 1241, 1243, 1318, 1358, 1424, 1442, 1446, 1454, 1474, 1636, 1698 and 1700
Mr. Michlewitz of Boston and others move to amend H.5500, in section 2, in line item 0511-0200 by inserting after the words “historic documents” the following words:- ; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to capital improvements to Camp DiCarlo, home of the National Lancers, to bring the facility up to code; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the city of Gardner for the purpose of the city archives buildout;
And further amend said item by striking out the figure “$914,130” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $989,130
And further amend said section 2, in line item 0640-0300 by inserting after the words “advance the sector needs” the following words: -; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to Acton Community Access Television, Inc. for equipment upgrades; provided further, that not less than $10,000 shall be expended to the Attleboro Art Museum for damages to a flooded basement; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to Allston Village Main Streets, Inc. for artists community assistance; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to Fitchburg Public Market to sustain customer-facing commercial retail operations on Main street in Fitchburg through fiscal year 2028; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to Longmeadow Pride Alliance, Inc. to continue the Longmeadow Pride Festival to support community services and promote Italian heritage; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Boston Ballet, Incorporated; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Franklin Performing Arts Company, Inc.; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Children’s Museum of Franklin, Inc; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the Franklin Creative Center for the Arts Inc.
And further amends said item striking out the figure “$27,348,072” and inserting in place thereof the following figure: -$27,723,072
And further amend said section 2, in item 0810-1205, by inserting after the words “for the program” the following words: -; and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to SAFE Coalition Incorporated for those affected by substance use disorder in the city known as the town of Franklin
And further amends said item striking out the figure “$2,861,598” and inserting in place thereof the following figure: - $2,961,598
And further amend said section 2, in item 0900-0100, by striking out the figure “$3,839,165” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $4,007,431
And further amend said section 2, in item 1599-0026, by inserting after the words “distributed through the District Local Technical Assistance Fund” the following words:- ; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended to the town of Sutton for the maintenance, improvements, or removal of the Clark Reservoir Dam; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to the town of Shrewsbury to upgrade athletic lights at Dean Park and Coolidge Pickleball Court; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Longmeadow police department, to repurpose an existing first floor room as an interview room to meet ADA requirements; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the town of Paxton for disaster relief, recovery costs and reimbursements for damage as a result of the September 2025 tornado that touched down in said town; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Holden for essential renovations and the relocation of municipal buildings; provided further, that not less than $8,000 shall be expended to the town of Abington for maintenance and infrastructure improvements to town hall facilities; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to Abington public schools for maintenance and infrastructure improvements; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Whitman for animal control facility maintenance and infrastructure improvements; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Old Sturbridge Village Living History Museum for capital improvements; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Chicopee to create an emergency access and recreational ramp for the Chicopee River; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Norwood for the repair and construction of infrastructure at the historic Shattuck Memorial Park; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the town of Marlborough for GIS Flyover data capture drone and analysis; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Marlborough for continued upgrades for the Marlborough downtown veterans park containing the Women’s Veterans, MIA/POW, Spanish American and Civil War monuments; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the city of Framingham for the design, fabrication, engraving, installation and public dedication of a Middle East Conflicts Veterans Memorial in Framingham; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the city of Chelsea to support a new fire station; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Wakefield for restroom construction at Veterans field in Wakefield; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for Brighton Main Streets, Inc.; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of Melrose for stage lights replacements and other capital improvements at Memorial Hall; provided further, that not less than $35,000 shall be expended to the town of Swampscott for maintenance and repairs of deteriorating structures at the Swampscott cemetery; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to the town of Somerset for essential repairs to the eroding Waterfront park seawall and damaged municipal parking lot in Somerset; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to the town of Dalton for the purchase and installation of an emergency generator at the Dalton senior center; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Essex for a study of Chebacco lake and its watershed; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to the city of Gloucester for the planning and design of the courtyard at O’Maley Innovation middle school; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Rowley for a PFAS remediation system to bring Town Well #2 online; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Ipswich for water treatment plant updates and wastewater treatment to alleviate issues that have contributed to the closure of local clam flats; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Georgetown for critical water treatment infrastructure; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shelled be expended to the town of Newbury to address watershed supply and drought management; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the city of Malden for upgrades and capital improvements to the city’s streetscape; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of Malden for flood mitigation and stormwater infrastructure improvements including, but not limited to, the cleaning and maintenance of the Town Line brook and Linden brook culverts; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended town of North Reading for roof maintenance at the historic Putnam House; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Wayland public schools for wellness and recreational enhancements at Wayland high school and Happy Hollow elementary school; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to support Volunteer Medical Group of Eastern Massachusetts to cover start-up costs and to provide primary care services to uninsured patients in the Allston, Brighton, Watertown and Waltham communities; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Wrentham department of public works for the procurement of a vacuum excavation trailer; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to the city known as the town of North Attleborough for a feasibility study regarding the World War II Memorial Pool; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Petersham to replace its current ADA-compliant ramp for the Town Office building; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Petersham for unanticipated costs associated with continuing ambulance services; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Scituate for the renovation and conversion of the WPA building into a veterans’ space, in coordination with the executive office of veterans’ services; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to the town of Medfield for technological and facility upgrades to its town hall; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the city of Westfield for capital improvements to Bullens field in Westfield; and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Wellesley for digital content updates and modifications
And further amend said item by striking out the figure “$7,500,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $9,638,000
And further amend said section 2 by striking out item 1599-0107
And further amend said section 2, in item 1790-0100, by inserting after the words “source of funds” the following words:- ; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to expand the AI For Impact program to design, test and deploy artificial intelligence solutions that improve delivery of state services and build an AI-ready state workforce
And further amend said item by striking out the figure “$3,647,090” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $3,897,090
And further amend said section 2, in item 4590-0915 as amended by Consolidated Amendment D, by striking out the following words “provided further, that Tewksbury hospital shall maintain in fiscal year 2026 no less than the number of beds maintained in in fiscal year 2025” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- provided further, that Tewksbury hospital shall maintain in fiscal year 2027 no less than the number of beds maintained in in fiscal year 2026
And further amend said section 2, in item 9700-0000, by inserting after the word “legislature” the following words:- ; provided, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus for programming, convenings, events, printed and digital materials, public education and related operational activities
And further amend said item by striking out the figure “$11,260,795” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $11,335,795
And further amend section 2E, in item 1595-6368, by inserting after the word “documentation” the following words:- ; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to the city of Somerville for their crossing guard program and other pedestrian enhancements in the vicinity of the East Somerville section of the city of Somerville; and provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Bolton for rural infrastructure improvements
And further amend said item by striking out the word “and” the fifth time it appears
And further amend said item by striking out the figure “$604,961,384” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $605,056,384
And further amend said section 2E, in item 1595-6369, by inserting after the word “spending” the following words:- ; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to study the financial feasibility and department capability of either extending the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority red line and/or creating a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line from Alewife down Route 2 to the Concord Rotary; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for the repair and restoration of the Gift of the Wind sculpture at Porter station
And further amend said item by striking out the figure “$470,000,000” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- $470,150,000
And further amend the bill by inserting after section 3 the following 2 sections:-
SECTION 3A. Section 2 of chapter 6C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 13, the figure “11” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 13.
SECTION 3B. Said section 2 of said chapter 6C, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in line 38, the figure “6” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- 7.
And further amend the bill in section 4 by striking out, in lines 1 and 2, the words “appearing in the 2024 Official Edition” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- so appearing.
And further amend the bill by inserting after section 17 the following 3 sections:-
SECTION 17A. The definition of “Teacher” in said section 1 of said chapter 32, as so amended, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- Any person who served in a position described above who is vested in the teachers’ retirement system or the Boston retirement system and is subsequently employed by the executive office of education or the department of elementary and secondary education shall retain the status of teacher and be considered as remaining in service in that capacity.
SECTION 17B. Paragraph (a) of subdivision (8) of section 3 of said chapter 32, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- A teacher who becomes employed at the executive office of education or the department of elementary and secondary education shall remain in the teachers’ retirement system or the Boston retirement system.
SECTION 17C. Said subdivision (8) of said section 3 of said chapter 32, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the following 2 paragraphs:-
(e) An employee of the executive office of education or the department of elementary and secondary education who is a member of the state employees’ retirement system and who is reinstated in the teachers’ retirement system or the Boston retirement system pursuant to paragraph (a) shall not be deemed to have had an interruption of membership or service. Upon reinstatement, the member shall pay into the annuity savings fund of the teachers’ retirement system or the Boston retirement system in 1 sum, or in installments as the board may prescribe, makeup payments equal to the difference between the contributions paid to the state employees’ retirement system and the required contributions of the teachers’ retirement system or the Boston retirement system on all regular compensation received during the period of membership in the state employees’ retirement system.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any other general or special law to the contrary, a member who is reinstated in the teachers’ retirement system or the Boston retirement system pursuant to paragraph (a) shall be entered into the state employees’ retirement system as a Group 1 state employee upon retirement.
And further amend the bill in section 18 by striking out, in line 83, the words “appearing in the 2024 Official Edition” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- so appearing.
And further amend the bill in section 23 by inserting after the word “States”, in line 137, the following words:- for purposes of calculating the minimum number of years a judge or justice must serve before eligibility for receipt of a pension, which credited service shall be considered to have run continuously with judicial service for purposes of sections 65A to 65J, inclusive.
And further amend the bill in said section 23 by striking out, in line 145, the words “pursuant to this section” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- in any retirement system governed by this chapter, including, but not limited to, non-judicial membership in the state employees’ retirement system.
And further amend the bill by inserting after section 51A, inserted by Consolidated Amendment B, the following 2 sections:-
SECTION 51B. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall conduct a comprehensive transit service assessment of the feasibility of establishing direct rapid bus transit between Kendall Square in the city of Cambridge, the Allston and North Brighton sections of the city of Boston and the Longwood medical area in the city of Boston.
(b) The assessment shall: (i) identify the transit infrastructure that needs to be preserved for direct rapid bus transit alternatives between Kendall Square in the city of Cambridge, the Allston and North Brighton sections of the city of Boston and the Longwood medical area in the city of Boston; (ii) review the prospect of constructing and operating on existing rights of way; (iii) analyze the impact of planned, designed, funded or under construction transportation or development projects nearby; (iv) identify the potential market for such transit services; and (v) evaluate the potential economic benefits to the region and to the commonwealth.
(c) The department shall make recommendations on a preferred route and how to preserve the transit infrastructure necessary for direct rapid bus transit alternatives between Kendall Square in the city of Cambridge, the Allston and North Brighton sections of the city of Boston and the Longwood medical area in the city of Boston, taking into consideration nearby transportation and development projects that have been studied, designed, funded or are under construction. Not later than July 1, 2027, the department shall file a report with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on transportation.
SECTION 51C. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, not later than October 1, 2026, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall enter into a lease agreement with the Friends of the Weston Depot for the use of the parcel or parcels of land located at 55 Church street in the town of Weston on which the Weston railroad station sits.
And further amend the bill by inserting after section 52 the following section:-
SECTION 52A. (a) Notwithstanding paragraph (i) of subdivision (4) of section 5 of chapter 32 of the General Laws, an active or inactive member of the teachers’ retirement system or the Boston retirement system who: (i) is a teacher or school nurse; (ii) became eligible for membership in the teachers’ retirement system before July 1, 2001; (iii) began contributing to the teachers’ retirement system before July 1, 2001; and (iv) did not provide a written election to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program provided under said subdivision (4) to the teachers’ retirement system or the Boston retirement system before July 1, 2001 or at any other time prior to September 1, 2026 or declined to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program before July 1, 2001 or at any other time prior to September 1, 2026, shall have a new 1-time opportunity to elect to participate in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program. A member entitled to make an election under this section shall have 180 days from the effective date of this act to make such election.
(b) A member who participates in the alternative superannuation retirement benefit program under this section shall make contributions at the rate of 11 per cent pursuant to section 22 of chapter 32 of the General Laws and may be required to provide make-up contributions at the rate of 11 per cent, upon such terms and conditions as the relevant retirement system may require, from the date that such member established membership in the teachers’ retirement system or the Boston retirement system.
(c) The teachers’ retirement system and the Boston retirement system shall notify eligible active or inactive members of the teachers’ retirement system and the Boston retirement system and shall provide information to school districts concerning the 1-time opportunity pursuant to subsection (a); provided, that the teachers’ retirement system and the Boston retirement system shall provide sufficient information pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) not later than 90 days after the effective date of this act.
And further amend the bill in section 56A, inserted by Consolidated Amendment B, by inserting after the word “Laws”, the second time it appears, the following words:- ; provided, that such funds shall be used first to reduce the shortfall, as described in subsection (b) of section 69 of said chapter 118E, for health safety net fiscal year 2027 and that any remaining funds may be used to reduce the shortfall in any other open health safety net fiscal year; and provided further, that the amount equal to any federal financial participation revenues claimed and received by the commonwealth for eligible expenditures made from said Health Safety Net Trust Fund with these funds transferred from said Commonwealth Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Fund shall be credited to said Health Safety Net Trust Fund.