AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 TO PROVIDE FOR SUPPLEMENTING CERTAIN EXISTING APPROPRIATIONS AND FOR CERTAIN OTHER ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS
Whereas,The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purposes, which are to make supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 and to make certain changes in law, each of which is immediately necessary to carry out those appropriations or to accomplish other important public purposes, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. To provide for supplementing certain items in the general appropriations act and other appropriation acts for fiscal year 2025, the sums set forth in section 2 are hereby appropriated from the Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital Fund established in section 2DDDDDD of chapter 29 of the General Laws, unless specifically designated otherwise in this act or in those appropriation acts, for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in this act or in those appropriations acts and subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. All appropriations in this section shall not be subject to section 5D of chapter 29 of the General Laws. These sums shall be in addition to any amounts previously appropriated and made available for the purposes of those items.
SECTION 2.
TRANSPORTATION
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
1596-2404 MBTA Physical Infrastructure ................................... $40,000,000
1596-2405 MBTA Low-Income Fare Relief ................................ $20,000,000
1596-2427 MBTA Workforce/Safety Reserve ........................... $175,000,000
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
1596-2424 Green Schoolworks ............................................. $10,000,000
7061-0012 Special Education Circuit Breaker ...................... $58,000,000
Student Opportunity Act Investment Fund 100%
Department of Higher Education
1596-2425 DHE Endowment Match .......................................... $10,000,000
1596-2426 UMass Endowment Match ....................................... $10,000,000
SECTION 2A. The sums set forth in this section are hereby appropriated from the Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital Fund established in section 2DDDDDD of chapter 29 of the General Laws or the Transitional Escrow Fund established in section 16 of chapter 76 of the acts of 2021, as amended by section 4 of chapter 98 of the acts of 2022, unless specifically designated otherwise in this act, for the purposes and subject to the conditions specified in this section and subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. All appropriations in this section shall not be subject to section 5D of said chapter 29. These sums shall be made available through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2028.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Office of the Secretary
1596-2513 For a grant program for capital improvements, long-term leasing of additional space and other initiatives necessary to build capacity and safely accommodate additional career technical education school opportunities; provided, that the funds shall be administered by the executive office of education in consultation with the Massachusetts School Building Authority and the executive office of labor and workforce development; provided further, that not more than $35,000,000 shall be made available to comprehensive high schools; provided further, that in determining a process for awarding grants, the executive office shall prioritize meeting the workforce demands of regional employers, reducing demonstrable waitlists at career and technical education schools and providing equitable access to career and technical skills training for students likely to pursue a career in their field of study; provided further, that not less than $15,000,000 shall be expended for a pilot program for comprehensive high schools to support career and vocational technical annex buildings on comprehensive high school campuses; provided further, that career and vocational training offered within such annex buildings shall align with regional workforce demands; provided further, that the pilot program shall prioritize communities that: (i) have demonstrable waitlists for career and vocational technical programming; (ii) are taking meaningful steps to produce new housing; and (iii) have adopted best practices to promote sustainable housing development to be determined in consultation with the executive office of housing and livable communities; and provided further, that the executive office shall prioritize annex projects within the pilot program that address disparities in opportunity gap data compiled by the department of elementary and secondary education and support student populations that (a) consist of high school juniors or seniors; (b) have not been accepted into a dedicated vocational school or program; (c) experience historically low admittance rates into vocation technical school districts; and (d) reside in the public school’s district ................................... $100,000,000
1596-2517 For local 1-time education projects; provided, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute Incorporated for costs associated with the education of students; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended as a grant to the Northeast Arc, Inc. for its Pathways to Opportunities program for education, mentorship, skill-building and job training of eligible high school students who are not immediately college bound; provided further, that not less than $350,000 shall be expended for the classroom expansion project at the United South End Settlements in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $875,000 shall be expended for a statewide college and career readiness program implemented by JFYNetWorks, a nonprofit corporation, to: (i) provide online instructional curricula to help students meet the commonwealth’s standards at each grade level and reduce learning loss and achievement gaps; and (ii) prepare students for required assessments and college placement tests in middle and high schools; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for 826 Boston, Inc. to administer writing enrichment, tutoring and college prep services for public school students; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for NeighborHealth Corporation for the development of a school-based health clinic within the Mario Umana Academy in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $45,000 shall be expended to the town of Wayland for the purchase of a van needed to expand transition programming for special education students in the Wayland public schools; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended to Junior Achievement of Greater Boston, Inc. to enhance middle school to career pathways, featuring the following programs: (a) interactive career exploration events designed to connect 1,200 eighth graders with local businesses and industries to provide education pathways for career enhancement; (b) direct youth entrepreneurship by giving high school students the space, mentorship, materials and educational support necessary to launch and operate businesses in conjunction with coursework; (c) providing financial literacy courses, materials and educator training to students enrolled in financial literacy courses through designated district public schools; and (d) providing all levels of placement services and support for paid internships for program alumni; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for support of the Gloucester high school vocational school, including, but not limited to, the design, construction and implementation of a medical assisting program; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for The Sports Museum of New England, Inc. to continue Boston vs. Bullies programming and preservation; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended by the department of elementary and secondary education for a grant program to school districts for implementation of community schools, including, but not limited to, the hiring of community school coordinators; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended as a grant to The May Institute, Inc. to support accessibility and construction costs for its new school located in the town of Mansfield for the special education of public school students with autism and other developmental disabilities up to age 22; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to NEADS Inc. to administer, expand and digitize the NEADS Red Vest Accessible program; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Worcester public schools to supply elementary schools that serve students in Main South and Columbus Park with reading materials for English language learners that are relevant to and reflective of their experiences; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Leicester public schools to purchase equipment for its veterinary technician vocational program; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for full-time kindergarten tuition expenses for Braintree public schools; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to Special Olympics Massachusetts, Inc. for early motor skills development and inclusive pre-K and elementary education; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended to METCO, Inc. to supplement costs of late bus transportation for the 33 METCO school districts; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Calmer Choice to enable continuation of the non-profit’s 15-year evidence-based mental health programming to students in grades K-12 and educators in 11 public schools and 11 community organizations throughout Cape Cod and the south shore; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be allocated to Wondermore Inc. to support literacy initiatives in Boston public schools, with a focus on promoting diversity through author visits and book distribution; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for Women’s Money Matters, Inc. to provide support for financial wellness programs; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be provided to the city of Brockton and expended for the installation of a public safety crosswalk in front of New Heights charter school located on Main street in the city of Brockton for costs associated with design and installation; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Mattapan Technology Learning Center, Inc. for instructors and case managers to provide job training and career placement for technical industries; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the St. Stephen’s Youth Parent mentoring program at the Mattahunt elementary school to increase the parent mentoring cohort size to 10; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Brave Behind Bars, Inc. for the Tufts University Prison Initiative of Tisch College women’s education program; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the E-Team machinist training program to support vocational education and workforce training for adults; provided further, that not less than $75,000 be expended for the Haitian-Creole program at New England Culinary Arts Training; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for Blessed Stephen Bellesini, O.S.A. Academy, Inc. to support underserved students in the city of Lawrence; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to Jumpstart for Young Children, Inc. to provide support to evidence-based early childhood education programs that promote language, literacy and social-emotional skill development for preschool children from under-served communities and the expanded scope of work that Jumpstart provides in the commonwealth to address the early education workforce shortage; provided further, that not less than $2,700,000 shall be expended for Leo Inc. in the city of Lynn for capital costs to increase childcare capacity at its Broad street preschool; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for psychosocial educational programming at the Teen Torch Foundation; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be allocated to Amherst-Pelham regional school district for special education services; provided further, that not less than $850,000 shall be expended to Charles River Community Health, Inc. to develop physical space and support start-up costs necessary for a primary care medical residency program; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for computer device replacement in the North Reading public schools; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to the New Bedford Whaling Museum's welcome and exhibition center; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the town of West Springfield for educational materials, programs or services incurred by the town of West Springfield; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for improvements to the Framingham high school auditorium; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Chenery middle school in the town of Belmont for the Chenery park revitalization project to enhance educational opportunities for students; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Shelburne for playground improvements; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Charlemont for the Mohawk Trail regional and Hawlemont school districts’ sustainability study; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for Julie’s Family Learning Program, Inc. for a 1-time investment to replace antiquated infrastructure at its early education and care facility; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended to People, Incorporated for expanded and affordable childcare access for infants, toddlers and preschoolers in the city of Fall River; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the Greenfield public schools to support students in the city of Greenfield; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Laboure Center, Inc. to offset costs associated with placing English language learners through its nursing assistant and home health aide program; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the Josiah Quincy School Association in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the South Boston Neighborhood House, Inc. to offset a 1-time deficit for its early education and care program; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Upton to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Northbridge to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Grafton to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for upgrades to the Lynnfield high school auditorium in the town of Lynnfield to improve daily educational and after school uses of the auditorium; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Children’s Room in the town of Arlington for student mental health support; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for bathroom renovation and accessibility upgrades for the Belchertown public schools; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Springfield public schools for improvements to the Indian Orchard elementary school; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to Ellis memorial early education center in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for necessary repairs to the Newbury elementary school in the town of Newbury; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for Springfield public schools to expand the arts program by acquiring art supplies, theater essentials and pottery supplies to increase student engagement; provided further, that not less than $350,000 shall be expended to Kids In Tech, Inc. for the purposes of supporting after-school, hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math education programs across the commonwealth; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for Springfield public schools to obtain translation devices to support communication for multilingual learner students and their parents; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended for improvements to pedestrian and busing access at Walpole high school; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Springfield public schools to obtain and disperse, to all schools, multilingual dictionaries for multilingual learner students; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Springfield public schools for improvements at Dorman elementary school; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Lunenburg for educational materials, programs or services incurred by the town of Lunenburg; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Springfield public schools for improvements at Boland elementary school; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Springfield public schools to obtain headphones for ACCESS testing for multilingual learner students; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Bellingham to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Uxbridge to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the Blackstone-Millville regional school district to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Arlington for technology upgrades in the Arlington public schools; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Methuen public schools to support special education services; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to Springfield public schools for the replacement of the fire alarm system at Springfield high school of science and technology; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Peabody public school system to provide for the science from scientists program; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended toward academic and financial support services for students of the Urban College of Boston: A Two-Year College, Inc.; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended to Marlborough public schools to offset unanticipated out of district special education placements and related transportation costs; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the city known as the town of Franklin for the purchase of a special education passenger van to transport and support students for in-district programs in the Franklin public schools; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of Watertown to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Waltham to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of Newton to offset special education costs for fiscal year 2025; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended to College Bound Dorchester, Inc. for the administration of alternative education and other services for at-risk youth; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Westford for technological equipment upgrades in classrooms for Crisafulli elementary school in Westford; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to Weymouth public schools for materials, tools, equipment, technology and educational resources that support teaching, learning and educational development within the Weymouth public schools vocational and career technical education programs; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Melrose public schools for energy efficiency upgrades to Lincoln elementary, Melrose high school and Melrose Veterans Memorial middle school; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of consolidating the following school districts: Northern Berkshire school union, North Adams school district and Hoosac valley regional school district; provided further, that such study will also take into consideration the consolidation of services; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Auburn public schools for the purchase of a bus; provided further, that not less than $70,000 shall be expended to Grafton public schools for the purchase of a wheelchair accessible van; provided further, that not less than $90,000 shall be expended to Millbury public schools for the purchase of a bus; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended to Millbury public schools for costs associated with vocational programming in partnership with the North Atlantic States Carpenters Union including, but not limited to, equipment, supplies and other education materials; provided further, that not less than $35,000 shall be expended to Shrewsbury public schools for capital expenses; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Blackstone Valley regional vocational technical high school for capital expenses; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Worcester state university to plan, develop and launch a new cyber range in partnership with Quinsigamond community college for excellence and innovation focused on cyber security and for programmatic development, curriculum, business and community partnerships and technologies for the range; provided further, that not less than $70,000 shall be expended to Westborough public schools for capital expenses for the Bridging Over to Right Opportunities program; provided further, that not less than $120,000 shall be provided to the Worcester public schools for capital expenses; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the city of Haverhill for repairs and renovations at Trinity Stadium at Haverhill high school to support the physical education of students; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Haverhill public schools for the planning and launch of initiatives to support closing student achievement gaps, including, but not limited to, high dosage tutoring; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of North Andover for updates and technology improvements to the North Andover high school library; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the town of Andover for costs related to the acquisition and installation of synthetic turf fields for Andover public schools; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Merrimac for safety and accessibility improvements at the Helen R. Donaghue school, including refinishing of the basketball court surface and creation of access points appropriate for students with disabilities; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Andover for capital improvements to the Tucker Family field and associated facilities at Doherty middle school; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for capital improvements and equipment for the science central program at the O’Maley Innovation middle school in the city of Gloucester; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the design and construction of replacement portions of the roof at the Rockport Middle High school in the town of Rockport; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for a cellphone repeater system for Georgetown public schools in the town of Georgetown; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of North Reading for capital improvements to facilitate full-day kindergarten; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended to the town of Andover for facilities and other capital improvements at the Eugene V. Lovely Memorial Field at Andover high school; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to Holyoke community college for capital projects; provided further, that not less than $130,000 shall be expended to Easthampton public schools in the city of Easthampton for transportation vans; provided further, that not less than $120,000 shall be expended to Holyoke public schools for capital improvements at Holyoke high school; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to Westfield public schools for capital projects; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to West Springfield public schools for capital projects; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended to Agawam public schools for the replacement of elementary school roofs; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to Bellingham public schools for cybersecurity infrastructure; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the Wrentham public schools for school flooring repair or replacement; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to Plainville public schools for interactive classroom technology; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Needham public schools for preschool playground improvements; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Franklin public schools for the creation of outdoor learning environments; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for materials, equipment and capital improvements for public schools in the town of Reading; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended for materials, equipment and capital improvements for public schools in the city of Melrose; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended for materials, equipment and capital improvements for public schools in the city of Malden; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to the North Middlesex regional school district for infrastructure upgrades; provided further, that not less than $55,000 shall be expended to Lunenburg public schools for infrastructure upgrades; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to the Groton Dunstable regional school district for infrastructure upgrades; provided further, that not less than $195,000 shall be expended for 2 transportation vans for Lunenburg public schools; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Quabbin regional school district to purchase chromebooks for students; provided further, that not less than $90,000 shall be expended to the Hubbardston Center school for the replacement of its boiler; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the higher education program for incarcerated individuals in department of correction facilities operated by the Boston College Prison Education Program, to support purchasing equipment, textbooks and similar materials and equipment intended to be used for more than 1 academic year; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the higher education program for incarcerated individuals in department of correction facilities operated by the Boston University Metropolitan College through purchasing equipment, textbooks and similar materials and equipment that is intended be reused for more than 1 academic year; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the higher education program for incarcerated individuals in department of correction facilities operated by the Emerson Prison Initiative to support purchasing equipment, textbooks and similar materials and equipment intended be used for more than 1 academic year; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to The Liger Alliance, a non-profit organization that supports robotics education at Newton North and Newton South high schools, for the purchase of equipment to be used by Newton North and Newton South high school students participating in robotics education programming; provided further, that not less than $253,000 shall be expended to the city of Newton for 1-time startup costs for the implementation of mental health programming at Newton North and Newton South high schools and for 1-time startup costs associated with data literacy training to assist Newton public school teachers in designing interventions for students with identified skill deficits; provided further, that not less than $122,000 shall be expended to the town of Brookline for 1-time expenses in support of literacy initiatives in Brookline public schools and for the purchase and installation of a dishwasher at Baker school and auditorium lighting at Brookline high school; provided further, that not less than $375,000 shall be expended for the Boys & Girls Club of Lynn, Inc. for a dedicated teen wing that shall provide after school programming and college preparation services to Lynn public school students; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to Lynn public schools for capital improvements; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to More Than Words, Inc. for capital improvements to expand access to quality public education for youth involved in the department of children and families or the commonwealth’s justice system; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Waltham Partnership for Youth, Inc. to develop a mental health education curriculum for public school students to be taught in Waltham public high schools including, but not limited to, purchase of education materials; provided further, that not less than $21,000 shall be expended to Lexington Historical Museums for site improvements to accommodate public school students and a traveling exhibit for public school classrooms; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to MassEnergize, Inc. for the purchase of equipment and development of education materials for clean energy curriculum taught in public schools; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, Inc. for renovations to a STEM learning space used by Waltham public school students; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the South Shore regional vocational technical school in the town of Hanover for capital, equipment or planning costs associated with the Firefighter Cadet program; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the town of Abington for public education capital, equipment or planning costs; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended to the city known as the town of Braintree for public education capital, equipment or planning costs; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the town of Hanover for public education capital, equipment or planning costs; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the town of Holbrook for public education capital, equipment or planning costs; provided further, that not less than $180,000 shall be expended to the city of Quincy for public education capital, equipment or planning costs; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the town of Rockland for public education capital, equipment or planning costs; provided further, that not less than $375,000 shall be expended for Gregg Neighborhood House Association, Incorporated for capital improvements that support early education and care in the city of Lynn and increase accessibility of educational and after school services to Lynn public school students; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to One Bead Project to support academic and career planning after school programming for middle school students hosted within Boston public schools, including, but not limited to, equipment, supplies and other educational materials; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Walpole public schools for the purpose of replacing chromebook laptop computers for classroom use by students; provided further, that not less than $70,000 shall be expended to Norwood public schools for the purpose of information technology improvements including the purchase of wireless access points and improvements to the Norwood high school television and media lab; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Longmeadow public schools for district-wide security system upgrades; provided further, that not less than $93,000 shall be expended to the Pathfinder regional vocational technical school in the town of Palmer for horticulture vocational program upgrades; provided further, that not less than $92,500 shall be expended to the Hampden-Wilbraham regional school district for its technology and firewall updates; provided further, that not less than $80,000 shall be expended to South Hadley public schools for gymnasium improvements at the South Hadley high school and Michael E. Smith middle school; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Boys and Girls Club of Plymouth, Inc. for capital expenditures to support educational opportunities for public school students in partnership with public schools; provided further, that not less than $26,000 shall be expended to Palmer high school for gymnasium upgrades; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Plymouth Family Network for capital expenditures to support its early education services provided to families in the region; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Pembroke public schools to support equipment needs for their biomedical and engineering pathway programs; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for the Silver Lake regional school district to perform Americans with Disabilities Act safety upgrades; provided further, that not less $200,000 shall be expended for the Guild of St. Agnes to support its activities that predominantly serve low-income children receiving childcare vouchers and other support from the commonwealth, including, but not limited to, making improvements to its center in the town of Devens and purchasing vehicles for child transportation; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended for the Fund for Sandwich of the Cape Cod Foundation, Inc. for equipment or capital expenditures for Sandwich public schools; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the ARC of Plymouth and Upper Cape for their facility to support educational programming to public school students with disabilities in collaboration with public schools; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended for the town of Pembroke for facility maintenance and upgrades related to educational programming in collaboration with Pembroke public schools; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Boys and Girls Club of Cape Cod, Inc. for capital expenditures associated with the youth facility for public school students in the Cape Cod region to access educational programming in partnership with public schools; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Community Recreation Association, Inc. in the town of Dalton for curriculum and other capital expenditures for the CRA free tutoring program for students referred from the Dalton public schools; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to the Old Mill Pond elementary school in the town of Palmer for playground upgrades; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative, Inc. for materials, curriculum, content and other capital expenses for the Your Voice Through Video program at Pittsfield high school; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for The Plymouth Education Foundation, Inc. for grants to Plymouth public schools for facilities and capital or equipment expenditures to support students; provided further, that not less than $35,000 shall be expended to the town of Plymouth for the purchase of vehicles or equipment for See Plymouth to provide improved transportation access; provided further, that not less than $165,000 shall be expended for the YMCA Cape Cod in the town of Falmouth to support maintenance and improvements to their early education and care facility; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Chicopee public school's Belcher elementary school to fund its HVAC upgrades; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Andover for equipment and other capital improvements to the gymnasium and weight room at Andover high school; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Nashoba Regional school district for classroom projectors; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended to Worcester public schools for capital expenses; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of North Andover for costs associated with the purchase of equipment for the robotics teams at North Andover high school; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to Monomoy regional school district for costs associated with mold and water damage mitigation at Monomoy middle school; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Boston public schools for capital and equipment upgrades and to develop the Aviation program at Madison Park technical vocational high school for a Federal Aviation Administration-certified initiative designed to train students to become licensed, certified pilots; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Dudley Street Neighborhood charter school for capital improvements, including the development of a gym and recreation spaces; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Boston public schools for capital improvements and equipment upgrades at the Shaw Taylor elementary school; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Boston public schools for capital and equipment upgrades at the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Boston public schools for capital improvements and pool repairs at the Hennigan K-8 school and community center; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended for the Friends of the Hernandez after school program at the Rafael Hernández Dual Language School, a K-8 public school in the city of Boston, for capital improvements and equipment upgrades; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for Boston’s Higher Ground Inc.’s afterschool program within Boston public schools for capital and equipment upgrades and to provide support services and afterschool programming to homeless and at-risk students in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Boston public schools for capital improvements and equipment upgrades at the Holmes elementary school; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Boston public schools for capital improvements and equipment upgrades, including the playground project at the Orchard Gardens K-8 school; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Boston public schools for the construction of a new gymnasium at UP Academy Holland to support physical education and student wellness programming; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Boston public schools for capital improvements and equipment upgrades at the Margarita Muniz Academy; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the Blue Hills Observatory and Science Center for the purposes of capital development and equipment supporting public elementary and secondary schools in the commonwealth; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for improved information technology equipment, including, but not limited to, language learning applications, translation applications, braille and sign language materials and transcribers, at Winthrop public schools to support their language programs including English as a second language instruction; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Community Against Substance Abuse, Inc. (CASA) for student support in Winthrop public schools through afterschool programming, counseling and job readiness supplies including, but not limited to, food, air conditioners, supplies and other educational materials; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended for the mini soccer pitch at the Curtis Guild elementary school in the East Boston section of the city of Boston; provided further, not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the purchase of a new stage and seating at the Mario Umana Academy for their dual language program in the East Boston section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $65,000 shall be expended for a mini soccer pitch at the Samuel Adams elementary school in the East Boston section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $210,000 shall be expended for the rehabilitation and conversion of William McKinley school in the city of Revere into an early childhood education center; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended to the department of elementary and secondary education to conduct a study to assess current and future capital needs at Massachusetts educational collaboratives and approved special education schools; provided further, that said study shall include an analysis and assessment of current conditions and repair needs of facilities, including known mechanical and structural issues, critical safety issues and the need for new facilities required to meet the student population with an analysis of current funding for such facility needs and recommendations for a long-term funding model; provided further, that the report shall be submitted to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education not later than June 30, 2025; provided further, that not less than $475,000 shall be expended for Northstar Learning Centers, Inc. to: (i) construct a playground at its early education center in the city of New Bedford; (ii) provide transportation to New Bedford public school students participating in educational programming through non-profit members of the Greater New Bedford Youth Alliance; and (iii) implement a youth music and education program in collaboration with the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and New Bedford public schools to provide instruction, musical instruments, books and other necessary materials to underserved children in the city of New Bedford; provided further, that each individual project administered by Northstar Learning Centers, Inc. under this item shall not exceed $200,000; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to provide the capital needs and equipment necessary to prepare the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey for an educational sail to Cape Verde in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the island nation's independence and strong cultural connection between its people and the diaspora in the city of New Bedford and across the United States; provided further, that not less than $175,000 shall be expended to Dennison Memorial Community Center, Inc. for capital improvements necessary to facilitate educational programming for public school students through collaboration with New Bedford public schools including, but not limited to, the Alfred J Gomes elementary school; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Burlington for a school building envelope and mechanical system study; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the city of Woburn for education equipment at the Community Resource Center; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Woburn public schools for school capital projects; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Shawsheen Valley technical high school for classroom furniture and technology for the business technology and marketing program; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Lexington public schools for capital expenses related to the central office relocation; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended to the Billerica public schools for the purchase of literacy curriculum materials; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Arlington public schools for upgrades to the Thompson school elevator; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for capital repairs and upgrades at the Old Colony YMCA-Marturano Youth Division in the city of Brockton for its after school programs in collaboration with Brockton public schools as licensed by the department of early education and care; provided further, that not less than $37,500 shall be expended to the Harvard-Kent elementary school in the Charlestown section of the city of Boston for playground enhancements; provided further, that not less than $37,500 shall be expended to the Warren-Prescott K-8 school in the Charlestown section of the city of Boston for playground enhancements; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Cambridgeport school in the city of Cambridge to support social emotional learning through the creation of a sensory maker space; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the King Open school in the city of Cambridge for panel and tile work; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Chelsea public school's performing arts department for costs associated with the district art show and various instrument and concert needs; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Chelsea public school's athletic department for updates to sport equipment and materials; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Chelsea high school to re-pave the Red road; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to For Kids Only Afterschool, Incorporated to support capital and technology improvements in their programs that serve Everett public school students at city-owned property and Chelsea public school students at Chelsea public schools; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the replacement of the basement floor of the Frederic T. Greenhalge elementary school in the city of Lowell; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for replacement of the digital community sign at Pawtucketville memorial elementary school in the city of Lowell; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for the repaving of the traffic circle and parking area at the Varnum Brook elementary school in the town of Pepperell; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for security and egress upgrades at the Tyngsborough elementary school and Tyngsborough high school; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for gymnasium upgrades at the Swallow Union elementary school in the town of Dunstable; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for elevator repairs and replacement at the Swallow Union elementary school in the town of Dunstable; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for security upgrades at Dracut public schools; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to Alfred G. Zanetti Montessori school for playground safety improvements; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for Margaret C. Ells Elementary school for exterior accessibility improvements in the city of Springfield; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for Chestnut Accelerated middle school (Talented and Gifted) for partial control upgrades to the Building Management System in the city of Springfield; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the Early Childhood Education Center in the city of Springfield for replacement heat and cooling units; provided further, that not less than $80,000 shall be expended for Salem public schools for a truck designated to the Salem high school band; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Salem public schools for the construction of a gym parquet floor; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of West Bridgewater to support educational capital and equipment needs; provided further, that not less than $175,0000 shall be expended to Cape Cod Collaborative for facility repairs, including costs associated with boiler replacement and maintenance; provided further, that not less than $70,000 shall be expended to Cape Cod Children’s Place, Inc. for facility improvements including outdoor and classroom needs to support early education and care as licensed by the department of early education and care; provided further, that not less than $110,000 shall be expended to the city of Peabody for the purchase of a 42-passenger, 3-wheelchair bus for Peabody public schools to transport disabled students to and from school; provided further, that not less than $60,000 shall be expended to the town of Danvers for classroom technology; provided further, that not less than $300,0000 shall be expended to Cape Cod regional technical high school for the expansion of veterinary science and environmental science programs; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for Granby public schools for the expansion of the IT Career Pathway, including, but not limited to, hardware, software and networking upgrades at the Granby junior senior high school; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended for capital and safety improvements to public school facilities in the town of Marion; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended for capital and safety improvements to public school facilities in the town of Rehoboth; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended for capital and safety improvements to public school facilities in the town of Seekonk; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended for capital and safety improvements to public school facilities in the town of Dighton; provided further, that not less than $68,000 shall be expended to Raynham public schools for capital improvements, technology upgrades, security camera upgrades and sprinkler head replacements; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Berkley public schools to support technology and security upgrades for students of the town of Berkley; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the East Longmeadow high school for bleachers; provided further, that not less than $28,500 shall be expended to the Ludlow public schools for classroom technology upgrades; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Lawrence public schools to improve accessibility at schools throughout the city of Lawrence; provided further, that not less than $115,000 shall be expended to Lawrence public schools for materials, equipment and capital improvements to support workforce development, STEM and arts enrichment programs for students; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Lawrence public schools to beautify public schools throughout the city of Lawrence through the installation of artwork and murals; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Methuen public schools for materials, equipment and capital improvements to support after-school and student support programs; provided further, that not less than $35,000 shall be expended to Haverhill public schools for materials, equipment and capital improvements to support after-school programs that focus on empowering young women; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended to Haverhill public schools for improvements, including, but not limited to, the purchase of a washer and dryer at the Nettle middle school; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Haverhill public schools for improvements at the Bartlett school and assessment center; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Monson public schools for general education related expenses including, but not limited to, equipment, supplies and other education materials; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Sutton public schools for public education expenses including, but not limited to, equipment, supplies and other education materials; provided further, that not less than $750,000 shall be expended to Weymouth public schools of which $500,000 shall be expended to provide free feminine hygiene products within public school buildings in partnership with the program known as Free Period; provided further, that not less than $210,000 shall be expended to Springfield public schools for enhanced school safety, communication systems and instructional audio-visual infrastructure for Mary O. Pottenger elementary school, Kensington International school and Elias Brookings elementary school; provided further, that not less than $70,000 shall be expended to the city known as the town of Bridgewater for school building capital improvement projects in the town and in the Bridgewater-Raynham regional school district; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the Everett public schools to replace the gymnasium bleachers at Everett high school; provided further, that not less than $25,000 be expended to the Everett public schools to install a video wall for their performing arts stage; provided further, that not less than $180,000 shall be expended to the town of Stoughton for school building projects and improvements; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Freetown Lakeville regional school district for 1-time improvements to athletic and educational facilities including, but not limited to, design, engineering and permitting efforts associated with said improvements; provided further, that not less than $175,000 shall be expended to the Westport community school district for 1-time improvements and upgrades to the school electrical infrastructure at the Alice A. Macomber school; provided further, that not less than $1,200,000 shall be expended to Somerset public schools for 1-time energy efficiency improvements and upgrades at the Chace elementary school; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended to Swansea public schools for 1-time improvements and upgrades to school security and surveillance equipment; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to Old Rochester regional high school in the town of Mattapoisett for gymnasium upgrades; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for capital improvements and equipment at the welcome and parent information center located at Framingham public schools’ Farley building; provided further, that not less than $275,000 shall be expended to Framingham public schools for the Framingham Adult ESL Plus program for expenses including, but not limited to, educational materials and supplies; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended to the town of Winchendon for capital improvements to the public schools; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Athol-Royalston regional school district for capital improvements; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Pioneer Valley regional school district for capital improvements; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Sunderland elementary school in the town of Sunderland for capital improvements; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the Ralph C. Mahar regional school located in the town of Orange for capital improvements; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Hatfield for capital improvements to Hatfield public schools; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the Gill-Montague regional school district for capital improvements; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Greenfield public schools located in the city known as the town of Greenfield for capital improvements; provided further, that not less than $165,000 shall be expended to Canton public schools for the purchase of updated science curriculum materials; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to Attleboro public schools for ADA-accessible renovations to the Briggs Corner school; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Norfolk County Agricultural high school for the construction of a new greenhouse to enhance instructional programs; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Norton public schools for the purchase of math and science curriculum materials for students in grades 6 to 12, inclusive; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the National History Day in Massachusetts program, operated by the Massachusetts Historical Society, for the production of supplementary curriculum materials to support history education taught in public high schools across the commonwealth; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended to Canton high school for the purchase of Italian language and cultural education curriculum materials in partnership with CIAO, the Cultural Italian American Organization; and provided further, that not less than $175,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth, Inc. for the purpose of capital improvements to incorporate a dedicated learning studio to deliver virtual professional development training of public school educators in public school districts throughout the commonwealth including, but not limited to, audio and video equipment, workplace equipment, computers and storage devices and a digital learning management system ................................................... $34,484,000
1596-2519 For a reserve to support regional school transportation costs .................. $8,132,500
Department of Early Education and Care
1596-2511 For initiatives to support workforce, affordability and quality improvements in the early education and care sector; provided, that funds may be transferred at the direction of the secretary of administration and finance to the Early Education and Care Operational Grant Fund established in section 19 of chapter 15D of the General Laws; provided further, that not less than $20,000,000 shall be expended for a reimbursement rate increase for subsidized early education center-based and family child care providers in the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2026; provided further, that not less than $7,500,000 shall be expended for an early education and care educator loan forgiveness program established in section 19G of chapter 15A of the General Laws; provided further, that not less than $8,000,000 shall be expended for grants to early education and care providers for costs associated with personal childcare; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, funds from said transfer may be expended from said fund for 1-time improvements that assist all families in connecting to child care providers and other initiatives to support capacity building and workforce supports for early education and care providers .................................. $45,500,000
1596-2518 For capital and development costs for the Holocaust Legacy Foundation, Inc. to establish the Boston Holocaust Museum to provide interactive educational opportunities in the commonwealth, including, but not limited to, history and social science frameworks; provided, that funds may be used for: (i) exhibit buildout; (ii) accessibility; (iii) security infrastructure; and (iv) educational technology and curriculum ............................... $10,000,000
Transitional Escrow Fund 100%
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
1596-2514 For educational grants to reduce the waitlist for English for speakers of other languages services; provided, that funds shall be administered by the department of elementary and secondary education in coordination with the Workforce Skills Cabinet established in Executive Order No. 560, dated February 26, 2015; provided further, that in determining a process for awarding grants, the department shall prioritize programs focused on providing English language skills training to workers for in-demand jobs that require such skills; and provided further, that the commissioner of elementary and secondary education may transfer funds to item 7035-0002 and expend said funds subject to the conditions specified in said item in the general appropriations act for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2026 .................................... $10,000,000
1596-2515 For an early literacy high dosage tutoring initiative program directed by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education; provided, that said program shall support public schools and school districts in the commonwealth to partner with providers approved by the department of elementary and secondary education to address pandemic-related learning loss and other identified underperformance in order to support accelerated literacy growth for students in kindergarten to grade 3, inclusive; provided further, that students characterized as below benchmark in grade 1 shall be prioritized; provided further, that funds shall only be awarded to support schools and districts that have adopted a high-quality, evidence-based reading instructional model as defined by the department; provided further, that funds may support activities including, but not limited to: (i) providing early literacy tutoring services for students in kindergarten to grade 3, inclusive, who have not met relevant benchmarks on early literacy screening assessments approved by the department of elementary and secondary education; (ii) statewide coordinating activities to a third party to facilitate high-quality implementation of the program; (iii) studying the impact of the tutoring provided; and (iv) providing in-person or virtual foundational skills-focused tutoring services per department of elementary and secondary education guidance and which aligns with the research-backed characteristics of effective high-dosage tutoring practices; provided further, that the department shall prioritize high-dosage tutoring for public schools and districts serving a large proportion of high-needs students; and provided further, that not less than $561,000 shall be expended for the purchase of resources for school districts to increase literacy and support struggling readers, students with vision impairments, learning disabilities or physical disabilities, including, but not limited, to audio versions of textbooks and voice text format books .................................. $25,561,000
1596-2516 For a reserve to support reimbursements to school districts and direct payments to service providers for special education instructional and transportation costs pursuant to section 5A of chapter 71B of the General Laws and item 7061-0012; provided, that reimbursements shall be made in the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2026 for costs incurred in the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2025; provided further, that funds may be transferred to said item 7061-0012 and expended subject to the conditions specified in said item in the general appropriations act for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2026; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for the office of the inspector general to review school district transportation service practices provided pursuant to said section 5A of said chapter 71B, including, but not limited to, procurement of said services, and to make recommendations for school districts that aim to reduce costs and ensure that districts maximize purchasing power and act transparently and efficiently to provide said services; provided further, that the office of the inspector general shall review possible ways for districts to consolidate transportation services regionally, to the extent practicable; provided further, that not later than February 2, 2026, the office of the inspector general shall submit to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education and publish on its website recommendations and best practices: (i) for school districts to reduce costs and maximize purchasing power for transportation services; (ii) to consolidate transportation services regionally, to the extent practicable; and (iii) that the office deems necessary for said services; provided further, that the office of the inspector general shall include in its recommendations any information on cost savings for school districts by following said best practices and recommendations; and provided further, that the department of elementary and secondary education shall provide any information necessary for the office of the inspector general to conduct a comprehensive review under this item .................................... $190,250,000
1596-9805 For programs to encourage graduates of the commonwealth’s public institutions of higher education to work as public school educators; provided, that not less than $1,237,500 shall be expended to fund the tomorrow’s educators scholarship program established pursuant to section 19D of chapter 15A of the General Laws; provided further, that not less than $1,237,500 shall be expended for a student loan repayment assistance program for public school educators; provided further, that the student loan repayment assistance program shall be administered by the executive office of education and that funds for the program may be expended to enhance existing loan repayment assistance programs, if appropriate; provided further, that the student loan repayment assistance program shall provide assistance of not more than $7,500 per eligible individual; provided further, that said program shall prioritize the recruitment and retention of racially, culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse educators consistent with chapter 132 of the acts of 2019 to diversify the educator workforce; provided further, that to be eligible for loan repayment assistance under this item, an individual shall: (i) have completed a bachelor’s degree program at a public institution of higher education as defined in section 5 of said chapter 15A and including Quincy College, after January 1, 2020; (ii) have outstanding educational debt that was incurred to pay tuition, fees or additional costs of attendance as calculated by the institution of higher education, including, but not limited to, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, child care and personal expenses, while enrolled in an undergraduate degree or post-baccalaureate program at the institution; and (iii) commit to and work for 4 years in a school district, as defined in section 2 of chapter 70 of the General Laws, as a teacher, instructional or program paraprofessional, or in any other position that requires a license or other form of certification issued by the department of elementary and secondary education or other state agency; provided further, that the executive office of education shall promulgate regulations for the administration and enforcement of the student loan repayment assistance program which shall include repayment procedures if a participating individual fails to comply with the program requirements; provided further, that if the funds appropriated for the program are insufficient to cover costs of all eligible individuals, priority shall be given to educators working in school districts with higher shares of students who are designated as low income as defined in said section 2 of said chapter 70; provided further, that not less than 45 days prior to the obligation of funds for the loan repayment assistance program, the executive office of education shall submit a comprehensive program plan to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education; and provided further, that funds from this item may be expended on a public awareness campaign on the loan repayment assistance program .............................. $2,475,000
1596-2525 For a capital program at public institutions of higher education in the commonwealth; provided, that projects supported under the program shall reduce the deferred maintenance backlog of said institutions; provided further, that said projects may include, but shall not be limited to: (i) building envelope repairs and renovations; (ii) heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems replacement; (iii) Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility compliance projects; (iv) electrical systems repair and replacement; and (v) water and wastewater systems repair and replacement; provided further, that the program shall be administered by the division of capital asset management and maintenance in collaboration with the executive office of education; provided further, that the division of capital asset management and maintenance may expend funds from this item for the defeasance of debt in order to enable projects that reduce campus deferred maintenance backlogs; provided further, that not less than $10,000,000 shall be expended for an expanded nursing simulation lab at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst; provided further, that not less than $4,000,000 shall be expended for a combined health services and public safety facility at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth; provided further, that not less than $10,000,000 shall be expended for laboratory modernization and upgrades at community colleges; provided further, that not less than $3,000,000 shall be expended for capital improvements and infrastructure upgrades at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College; provided further, that not less than $10,000,000 shall be expended for repairs and renovations at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design; provided further, that not less than $6,600,000 shall be expended for debt defeasance, revitalization or adaptive reuse of dormitory housing at Framingham State University; provided further, that not later than December 1, 2026, the division of capital asset management and maintenance shall submit a report to the joint committee on higher education and the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (a) the amounts awarded delineated by campus; (b) the amounts awarded delineated by project; (c) the amount of deferred maintenance backlog eliminated by project; and (d) planned spending from this item through June 30, 2028; provided further, that not less than $2,500,000 shall be expended to the University of Massachusetts at Boston for planning and design for the expansion of the Manning College of Nursing & Health Sciences facilities; provided further, that the University of Massachusetts at Boston shall conduct an analysis, in collaboration with the Dorchester Health Planning Working Group, property owners, state health care officials and other appropriate stakeholders, on the feasibility of a satellite campus at the site of Carney hospital in the Dorchester section of the city of Boston; and provided further, that not less than $5,000,000 shall be expended for capital upgrades and accessibility improvements to the John J. Kelly Gymnasium at Bridgewater state university .................................. $115,000,000
TRANSPORTATION
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
1595-2508 For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to replenish the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority deficiency fund; provided, that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall notify the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on transportation not less than 30 days prior to withdrawing funds from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority deficiency fund; and provided further, that not later than June 30, 2025, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall submit a written deficiency fund policy to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the executive office for administration and finance, the joint committee on transportation and the house and senate committees on ways and means ......................................... $300,000,000
1596-2503 For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund established in section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws for a program of culvert and small bridge modernization, reconstruction, removal, repair, replacement and resilience improvements to culverts and small bridges with a span of not more than 20 feet under procedures established by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in collaboration with the executive office of energy and environmental affairs; provided, that expenditures from this item may include the costs of engineering, design, permitting, climate change adaptation and resilience and other services essential to projects under this item; provided further, that funds may be expended from this item for matching grants to municipalities for municipally-owned small bridges and culverts; provided further, that funds from this item shall not be expended to municipalities not in compliance with the multi-family zoning requirement established in section 3A of chapter 40A of the General Laws as determined by the executive office of housing and livable communities; provided further, that preference for grants shall be awarded to cities and towns that are taking meaningful steps to produce new housing or have adopted best practices to promote sustainable housing development as determined by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in consultation with the executive office of housing and livable communities; and provided further, that not later than March 30, 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall submit a report to the joint committee on transportation and the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the criteria used for distributing funds from this item; and (ii) a list and description of projects funded through this item or planned to be funded through this item, including the estimated costs for each project and the expected timeline for completion of each project ....................................... $16,455,500
1596-2505 For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund established in section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws for a program to support grants for workforce and training initiatives at regional transit authorities and support transit improvements across the commonwealth; provided, that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall oversee the distribution of grants under this item; and provided further, that not later than March 2, 2026, the department shall submit a report to the joint committee on transportation and the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the grant criteria used to determine awards; (ii) a list of grant recipients, including the amounts received by each recipient; and (iii) a description of the specific uses by each recipient ....................... $25,000,000
1596-2506 For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund established in section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws for a pilot program to provide grants to municipalities for repair, maintenance and improvements to unpaved roads; provided, that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall oversee the distribution of grants under this item; provided further, that said grant funds shall only be available to municipalities for repair, maintenance and improvements to dirt or gravel roads that are open to the public and maintained by the municipality; provided further, that grant funds shall be used by municipalities for: (i) reconstruction, surface grading, crown and shoulder restoration and removal of wash boarding and potholes; (ii) guardrail and signage repair or replacement; (iii) drainage work, including swales; and (iv) the purchase or lease of maintenance equipment, including, but not limited to, graders, rollers and loaders; provided further, that municipalities shall not use grant funds for: (a) construction of new roadways; (b) conversion of unpaved roads to paved roads; (c) landscaping or removing vegetation not related to an eligible use project; (d) culverts; (e) retaining walls; or (f) police details; and provided further, that not later than December 30, 2025, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall submit a report on grant funds from this item to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on transportation that shall include, but shall not be limited to: (A) the methodology used to distribute grant funds; (B) a list of all municipalities that received grant funds; and (C) the amount of grant funds awarded to each municipality ..................................... $7,000,000
1596-2507 For local 1-time transportation projects; provided, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for mitigation costs associated with development along interstate highway route 93 in the city of Medford; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Sudbury for the operation of the GoSudbury program to provide subsidized rideshare and taxi transportation; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for a design, feasibility and traffic study for a town square in the town of Paxton; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for the city of Methuen to purchase and install solar-powered radar speed limit signs in high-risk areas throughout the city; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for sound mitigation at the South-Side Maintenance Facility in the Readville section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for the town of Lexington to support increased transportation expenses due to 250th anniversary celebrations; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for culvert upgrades and other rural infrastructure improvements in the town of Bolton; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the redesign, installation of new steps, added lights and installation of an emergency safety alert system for the bridge on Norfolk street in the city of Boston between the intersections of Corbet street and Willowwood street; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the preservation and repair of the Hartwell street bridge in the town of West Boylston; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for road repair projects in the town of Granby; provided further, that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall provide RIDE services to the town of North Reading; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to the city of Lawrence for the construction and rehabilitation of the Joseph W. Casey bridge, the Mario Lucchesi Memorial bridge, the Daisy street bridge and the Majowicz bridge; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to supplement school district transportation services for the town of West Springfield; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for sidewalks, curbing, crossings, ramps and pedestrian accessibility improvements in the city of Framingham; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for maintenance vehicle upgrades in the city of Greenfield; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for pedestrian safety improvements in the town of Arlington; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Hamilton for a missing sidewalk project along Highland street; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended for capital improvements and planning for transportation infrastructure projects in the city of Malden; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for Village Neighbors, Inc. for transportation services in rural communities; provided further, that not less than $60,000 shall be expended for the Ludlow council on aging for senior transportation costs and equipment; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for culvert replacements in the town of Berkley; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Brookline for bicycle share stations, bicycles and installation costs; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Revere Beach Partnership, Inc. for transportation mitigation costs associated with the 2025 International Sand Sculpting Festival in the city of Revere; provided further, that not less than $25,000,000 shall be expended to the city of Quincy for a downtown parking garage to help facilitate patient access to the planned development of a new medical facility; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of Fitchburg for road surface and pedestrian way repair projects for state highway route 12; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for drainage improvements along Pauline street in the city known as the town of Winthrop; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Belmont for sidewalk pedestrian safety improvements; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the town of Stoneham for school transportation costs pursuant to section 7A of chapter 71 of the General Laws; provided further, that not less than $125,000 shall be expended to the town of Winchester for drainage improvements; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of Marlborough to continue operation of the local commuter shuttle connecting residents from area commuter rail stations to employers and downtown businesses in the city; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the town of Bedford for the installation of a crosswalk in the Crosby drive area; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the Wakefield police department for a vehicular traffic and speed monitoring subscription service; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to the city of Worcester for the Chandler street renovation project; provided further, that not less than $600,000 shall be expended to the town of Wellesley for a traffic study and redesign of the Weston road corridor in the town of Wellesley, including the Linden street and Central street bottleneck and the state highway route 9 interchange; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Wakefield for roadway improvements; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended to the Worcester regional transit authority for capital projects; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the town of Shrewsbury for the purchase and installation of traffic signal preemption equipment; provided further, that not less than $35,000 shall be expended to the town of Westborough for development of a conceptual design and traffic analysis relative to the intersection of Milk street and Fisher street; provided further, that not less than $750,000 shall be expended to the city of Watertown for transportation improvements in the Watertown square section of the city of Watertown; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Newbury for the purchase of a dump truck for road and bridge repairs; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for the assessment and design of a retaining wall on Main street in the town of Boxford; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for planning, design and construction for roadway improvements on state highway route 114 in the vicinity of the public safety building in the town of Middleton; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the planning, design and construction of improved lighting on State street in the city of Newburyport; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the planning, design and construction for crosswalks on state highway route 113 in the town of West Newbury; provided further, that not less than $45,000 shall be expended for vital temporary repairs to the Johnson Creek Dam on Salem street in the town of Groveland; provided further, that not less than $35,000 shall be expended for improvements to roadway signage in the town of North Andover; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to the town of Carlisle for transportation costs associated with the 250th anniversary celebrations; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Norfolk for the senior center parking lot in the town; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for a state highway route 109 downtown traffic light study in the town of Medfield; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the repair, replacement or installation of roadway guardrails in the town of Sherborn; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for sidewalk improvements in the town of Millis; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for bridge replacement in the town of Milford; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the replacement of the Dedham street culvert over Noanet brook in the town of Dover; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the town of Acton to make improvements to the area near 19-21 Maple street, including, but not limited to, constructing an accessible train platform; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for the purpose of concrete sidewalk and walkway repair and replacement at Wachusett regional school district; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the purpose of parking lot repairs and repaving in the Narragansett Regional school district; provided further, that not less than $80,000 shall be expended for the purpose of boiler room repairs in the Ashburnham-Westminster regional school district; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for road and bridge maintenance in the town of Hubbardston; provided further, that not less than $80,000 shall be expended for the purpose of sidewalk replacement at Leicester public schools; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for paving needs in the town of Phillipston; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the town of Wellesley for capital expenses to increase accessibility to transportation for the town’s youth and recreational programs; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the city of Newton for the purchase of specialized equipment to effectively maintain the city’s bike lane and bike path network on a year-round basis; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Brookline for the purchase and installation of stanchions and rectangular rapid flashing beacons to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility in the town; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to The Health Foundation Fund, Inc. to support transportation initiatives, close service gaps and expand mobility options for the public in the Nashoba Valley region including, but not limited to, 1-time expenses for vehicle upgrades, transit shelters, technology and security upgrades and a pilot program; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant pedestrian accessibility, including, but not limited to, signalization, curb cuts and tactile warning pads at the intersections of Cross street and Bryant street, Cross street and Ferry street, and Fellsway East and Savin street, within the city of Malden; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to The Minute Man Arc for Human Services, Inc. for an electric van to bridge gaps in access to public transportation for people with disabilities; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Concord for transportation costs associated with the 250th anniversary celebrations; provided further, that not less than $120,000 shall be expended to the town of Chelmsford for a state highway route 110 and Chelmsford street road safety assessment; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the town of Abington for public transportation costs including, but not limited to, roads, bridges or public transportation; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended to the city known as the town of Braintree for public transportation costs including, but not limited to, roads, bridges or public transportation; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the town of Hanover for public transportation costs including, but not limited to, roads, bridges or public transportation; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the town of Holbrook for public transportation costs including, but not limited to, roads, bridges or public transportation; provided further, that not less than $180,000 shall be expended to the city of Quincy for public transportation costs including, but not limited to, roads, bridges or public transportation; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the town of Rockland for public transportation costs including, but not limited to, roads, bridges or public transportation; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the department of conservation and recreation to implement traffic and pedestrian safety measures on Centre street in the Jamaica Plain section of the city of Boston from the intersection of Centre street and Rambler road to the intersection of Centre street and Whitcomb avenue; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study relative to extending rapid transit service from the current terminus of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority’s Orange Line at Oak Grove in the city of Malden to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Rail station through Roslindale Village in the Roslindale section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not later than June 30, 2026, the department shall file the report with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the house and senate committees on ways and means; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the department of conservation and recreation for a study relative to the development, maintenance and improvement of the Veterans of Foreign War highway in the town of Dedham and the West Roxbury section of the city of Boston, beginning at the intersection of Washington street and Providence highway in the town of Dedham and traveling through the West Roxbury section of the city of Boston to its eastern end at Centre street in the West Roxbury section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not later than June 30, 2026, the department shall file the report with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the house and senate committees on ways and means; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Inc., in partnership with the department of conservation and recreation and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, for capital improvements, planning and maintenance of pathways, parkways and other related features within the Emerald Necklace park system including the Arborway, Jamaicaway, Riverway, Fenway, Charlesgate and Columbia road in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the purpose of capital improvements, planning and maintenance of Turtle Pond parkway in the Hyde Park section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for capital improvements and maintenance at the MBTA Roslindale Village commuter rail station located in the Roslindale section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for planning, design and construction for bridge repairs to the County street bridge in the town of Ipswich; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended for the South Shore Community Action Council, Inc. for equipment to bridge gaps in public transportation access for underserved people in the region; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended for capital and equipment expenditures for the Volunteers of America of Massachusetts, Inc. Plymouth Area Veterans Center to bridge gaps in public transportation to assistance programs and services for veterans; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for repairs on Shelburne Falls road along the South river in the town of Conway; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to perform a feasibility study of the cost of required upgrades for extending commuter rail service to Buzzards Bay station in the town of Bourne; provided further, that not later than December 1, 2025, the department shall submit a report on the outcomes of the feasibility study to the joint committee on transportation and the house and senate committees on ways and means; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for engineering and repairs to state highway route 116 in the town of Cheshire; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Whately for highway related projects; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for equipment expenditures by the Greater Attleboro and Taunton Regional Transit Authority to support transportation service needs of the Plymouth Center for Active Living; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended for road maintenance and repair projects on Kinnebrook road and Old Post road in the town of Worthington; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for the West street redesign project in the city of Pittsfield; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the city of Worcester for Worcester Safe Routes to School program pedestrian improvements; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the city of Worcester for neighborhood quick-build safety traffic calming improvements; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for parking upgrades at the Tahanto regional middle high school in the town of Boylston; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Bolton for rural bridges; provided further, that not less than $45,000 shall be expended to the town of Lexington for safety improvements to Minuteman Bikeway road crossings; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for maintenance and repair of transportation infrastructure projects in the town of Stoneham; provided further, that not less than $80,000 shall be expended to the Martha’s Vineyard commission for costs associated with planning and design for repaving the Manuel F. Correllus state forest bike path; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Milton for traffic and pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of Adams street and Wharf street; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Easton for transportation infrastructure projects, improvements and planning; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Port Authority for the study and planning of transportation assets including, but not limited, to evaluating vehicular movements connecting to the interstate highway system, truck routes identified in Massachusetts Department of Transportation's Freight Plan, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority transit service, including, but not limited to, the 7 and 9 bus routes and Silver Line, pedestrian safety and waterfront access within the Port of Boston including the extension and expansion of the Harborwalk; provided further, that the Massachusetts Port Authority shall complete the report not later than June 1, 2026; provided further, that not later than June 30, 2026, the Massachusetts Port Authority shall submit a report to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives detailing plans for capital improvements funded in this item; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation highway division for capital improvements and maintenance within the First Suffolk Senate district; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for capital improvements and maintenance on Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority assets within the First Suffolk Senate district; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to the department of conservation and recreation for capital improvements and maintenance to transportation assets within the Old Harbor area in the South Boston section of the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the city known as the town of Winthrop for the procurement of passenger van or bus to provide shuttle transportation services to the Winthrop ferry for the needs of the community; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the city known as the town of Randolph for transportation infrastructure projects, improvements and planning; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended to the city known as the town of Braintree for transportation infrastructure projects, improvements and planning; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the town of Burlington for pedestrian safety improvements; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Arlington for design and construction services for traffic safety enhancements at the Massachusetts avenue intersections with Appleton street and Dundee road; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for the Old Colony Planning Council, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District and the Cape Cod commission to develop a preliminary plan and design of the Frederick Douglass tunnel program within the regions and the cities of Boston, Brockton and New Bedford and create connectivity to places of public significance and the underground railroad; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of Chelsea to install a traffic notification system at the Central fire station; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to the city of Everett for the installation of speed humps on Tileston street, Prescott street and Nichols street; provided further, that not less than $60,000 shall be expended to the city of Everett for the installation of pedestrian walk signals at the intersection of Nichols street and Lawrence street; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the maintenance and repair of benches and bus shelters at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority bus stops in the city of Melrose; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for costs associated with the replacement of the Hall street bridge in the city of Lowell in support of the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended to the city of Beverly for construction of a roundabout at Brimbal avenue, Dunham road and state highway route 128 Brimbal avenue interchange; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the city of Chicopee for the placement of a traffic light at the intersection of McKinstry and Chicopee streets; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the city of Peabody for transportation projects for pedestrian and traffic safety; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the town of Danvers for transportation projects for pedestrian safety; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the purpose of repairing and replacing parts of the dock and float system for the city-owned marina located at 65 Rogers street in the city of Gloucester; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended to extend the current paving project along Purchase street in the town of Middleborough; provided further, that not less than $22,000 shall be expended for the installation of a drainage basin and culvert extension at the corner of Center street and Wenham road in the town of Carver; provided further, that not less than $30,000 shall be expended to the town of Raynham for improvements on Mill street; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended to the town of Raynham for improvements to the King Philip street shared use path; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for improvements to and maintenance of the Old Colony/South street bridge in the city of Taunton; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the design and estimation of the Plain street bridge in the city of Taunton; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the replacement of the Fearing Hill bridge in the town of Wareham; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Manchester-by-the-sea for planning, design and construction of roadway improvements including, but not limited to, crosswalks; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the department of conservation and recreation for maintenance and improvement of the Cape Cod rail trail in and around Nickerson state park; provided further, that not less than $750,000 shall be expended to the department of conservation and recreation for pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of High street and Arlington street in the city of Medford; provided further, that not less than $60,000 shall be expended to the city of Lawrence to purchase and install solar-powered radar speed limit signs in high-risk areas throughout the city; provided further, that not less than $150,000 shall be expended to the city of Methuen for infrastructure improvements in the Arlington section of the city, including, but not limited to, road and sidewalk improvements; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the town of Plymouth for capital expenditures to support public transportation services; provided further, that not less than $600,000 shall be expended to the town of Dudley for costs associated with the construction of a bridge on Brandon road in the town of Dudley; provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended to the town of Ashland for capital transportation improvements to increase mobility; provided further, that not less than $400,000 shall be expended to communities in the Metrowest region, including the city of Framingham and the towns of Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway and Natick, for electric vehicle charging stations; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Natick for capital improvements to increase mobility and commuter rail connectivity in West Natick section of the town of Natick; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Holliston council on aging for senior transportation capital improvements; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the city of Northampton for equipment and capital expenses for a public bikeshare program that serves residents of the city known as the town of Amherst, the towns of Hadley and Northampton and surrounding municipalities; provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to the town of Foxborough for parking upgrades and wayfinding and transportation improvements; provided further, that not less than $45,000 shall be expended to Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, Inc. for the purchase of supplies to be used for roadside litter prevention and cleanup to maintain public roads and highways throughout the commonwealth; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for project engineering for the County road and Yokum Pond road repair project in the town of Becket; and provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended for capital improvements to the Haverhill line of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail including, but not limited to, improvements related to accessibility infrastructure at Ballardvale station in the town of Andover ........................................ $42,367,000
1596-2520 For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund established in section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws for a program to support grants for capital infrastructure improvements and equipment and facilities upgrades at regional transit authorities to support transit improvements across the commonwealth; provided further, that projects approved under this item shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the purchase of new buses, including electric or hybrid buses; (ii) upgrades to electrical infrastructure to facilitate charging of electric buses; (iii) capital projects to support microtransit initiatives and last mile transportation solutions; and (iv) improvements to bus stops and stations to promote pedestrian safety, user comfort, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance; provided further, that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall oversee the distribution of funds; and provided further, that not later than March 1, 2026, the department shall submit a report to the joint committee on transportation and the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the grant criteria used to determine awards; (ii) a list of grant recipients, including the amounts received by each recipient; and (iii) a description of the specific uses by each recipient ......................................... $25,000,000
1596-2521 For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund established in section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws for a program to support improvements to water transportation infrastructure across the commonwealth; provided, that funds shall be expended for projects that enable transitioning seasonal ferry services operated by or under contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to year-round operations; provided further, that not less than $8,000,000 shall be expended for the procurement of ferries to support and maintain quality water transportation services in the commonwealth; provided further, that said ferries shall be utilized to expand commuter ferry services to communities that may include, but not be limited to: (i) the East Boston section of the city of Boston; (ii) the city of Chelsea; (iii) the city of Lynn; (iv) the city known as the town of Winthrop; (v) the city of Quincy; and (vi) the city of Salem; provided further, that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall prioritize expanded service for cities and towns that are taking meaningful steps to produce new housing and have adopted best practices to promote sustainable housing development including, but not limited to, the multifamily zoning requirement established in section 3A of chapter 40A of the General Laws; provided further, that funds shall be expended for port infrastructure necessary to maintain and expand ferry services statewide; provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended to maintain and expand ferry services, including pier and dock maintenance in the counties of Barnstable, Bristol, Nantucket and the county of Dukes County; provided further, that not less than $300,000 shall be expended for capital improvements to the Winthrop ferry terminal including, but not limited to, increased shelter and shade for passengers; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended to the city known as the town of Winthrop for the refurbishment of the Shirley street ferry terminal; and provided further, that not less than $1,500,000 shall be expended for the planning and construction of a vessel dock located in the East Boston Designated Port Area in the vicinity of Border street in the East Boston section of the city of Boston ......................................... $13,000,000
1596-2523 For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund established in section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws for the construction and reconstruction of municipal ways as described in clause (b) of the second paragraph of said section 4 of said chapter 6C; provided, that a city or town shall comply with the procedures established by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation; provided further, that a city or town may expend, without further appropriation, for these projects, amounts not in excess of the amount provided to the city or town under this item upon preliminary notice of such amount, which shall be provided by the department to the city or town not later than March 2, 2026; provided further, that the commonwealth shall reimburse a city or town under this item, subject to the availability of funds as provided in section 9G of chapter 29 of the General Laws, within 30 days after receipt by the department of a request for reimbursement from the city or town, which shall include certification by the city or town that actual expenses have been incurred on projects eligible for reimbursement under this item and that the work on such eligible projects has been completed to the satisfaction of the city or town according to the specifications of the project and in compliance with applicable laws and procedures established by the department; provided further, that not less than $40,000,000 shall be distributed using a formula based on each municipality's population, locally-owned road miles and employment; provided further, that not less than $40,000,000 shall be distributed using a formula based on each municipality’s share of road mileage; and provided further, that funds from this item shall not be expended to municipalities not in compliance with the multi-family zoning requirement established in section 3A of chapter 40A of the General Laws as determined by the executive office of housing and livable communities .......................... $80,000,000
1596-2526 For an operating transfer to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund established in section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws for a program to support grants for capital microtransit initiatives and last mile transportation solutions including, but not limited to, providers that: (i) expand mobility options for rural communities; (ii) extend service to veterans, working families, older adults, people with disabilities and low-income individuals; (iii) provide mobility choices to people with mobility needs; and (iv) extend equitable and affordable transportation mobility improvements in the commonwealth; provided, that preference for grants shall be awarded to cities and towns that are taking meaningful steps to produce new housing and have adopted best practices to promote sustainable housing development including, but not limited to, the multifamily zoning requirement established in section 3A of chapter 40A of the General Laws ...................................... $10,000,000
EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Reserves
1596-2026 For a reserve for publicly incurred transportation costs associated with the 2026 World Cup matches hosted in Massachusetts; provided, that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall prioritize commuter rail infrastructure and service improvements to Foxborough that increase service capacity, frequency and reliability .................................. $5,000,000
SECTION 3. Chapter 15D of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
Section 22. (a) As used in this section, the following terms shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:
“Imagination Library of Massachusetts program”, a comprehensive statewide initiative to encourage children from birth to 5 years of age to develop a love of reading and learning.
“Qualified local entity”, an existing or new local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate that agrees to fund up to 50 per cent of the costs of the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program.
(b) Subject to appropriation, the department shall establish the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program to promote the development of a comprehensive statewide initiative to encourage preschool age children to develop a love of reading and learning. The department shall develop, implement and promote a comprehensive statewide initiative to encourage children from birth to 5 years of age to develop a love of reading and learning.
(c)(1) Subject to appropriation, the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program shall provide, through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, 1 age-appropriate book to each registered child from birth to age 5. Books shall be sent monthly to each child’s home at no cost to families.
(2) Subject to appropriation, the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program shall contribute funds to qualified local entities participating in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
(d) The department shall administer the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program, including, but not limited to:
(i) promoting the statewide development of qualified local entities;
(ii) coordinating with qualified local entities to increase enrollment;
(iii) engaging with communities, qualified local entities and nonprofit leaders across the commonwealth;
(iv) implementing a statewide marketing and communications campaign, including, but not limited to, an ongoing public awareness campaign to:
(A) make donors aware of the opportunity to donate to the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program; and
(B) make the public aware of the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program and how to register eligible children; and
(v) coordinating the local match requirement for approved qualified local entities as well as the reimbursement of local program costs for books and mailing, as needed.
(e) The department shall, in coordination with the qualified local entity, ensure all personally identifiable information is handled in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
(f) Annually, not later than March 15, the department shall submit a report to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the chairs of the joint committee on education, the executive office for administration and finance and the executive office of education on the activities of the program, including, but not limited to: (i) the total number of children enrolled, delineated by municipality; (ii) the number of books sent to enrolled children, delineated by municipality; (iii) the number of books returned as undeliverable, delineated by municipality; (iv) any activity from the Imagination Library of Massachusetts Fund, established in section 2KKKKKK of chapter 29, including, but not limited to, deposits and expenditures; (v) the number of qualified local entities across the commonwealth, their locations, local match amounts contributed and other local partners, if any; and (vi) any other information the department deems relevant.
(g) The department may promulgate regulations, pursuant to chapter 30A, for the implementation of the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program.
SECTION 4. Chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 2JJJJJJ, inserted by section 7 of chapter 248 of the acts of 2024, the following section:-
Section 2KKKKKK. (a) There is hereby established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate, non-budgeted special revenue fund known as the Imagination Library of Massachusetts Fund that shall be administered by the secretary of education.
(b) There shall be credited to the fund: (i) revenue from appropriations and other money authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (ii) funds from public and private sources such as gifts, grants and donations; and (iii) interest earned on money in the fund. Amounts credited to the fund shall be expended without further appropriation. No expenditure made from the fund shall cause the fund to be in deficit at any point. Any money remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund. The fund shall not be subject to section 5C.
(c) Funds shall be made available to provide age-appropriate books on a monthly basis, at home, to each child registered in the Imagination Library of Massachusetts program, established pursuant to section 22 of chapter 15D, from birth to their fifth birthday, inclusive, at no cost to families or guardians, in coordination with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
SECTION 5. Section 2F of chapter 140 of the acts of 2024 is hereby amended by striking out item 1596-2427 and inserting in place thereof the following item:-
1596-2427 For a transfer to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority workforce and safety reserve established in line item 1599-1971 of section 2 of chapter 126 of the acts of 2022, for projects to address ongoing safety concerns at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority related to the interim and final findings of the Federal Transit Administration’s Safety Management Inspection initiated in April 2022; provided, that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall work in consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the department of public utilities in the planning and implementation of said projects funded through this item; provided further, that funds may be expended for hiring and retention related to said projects; provided further, that funds may be expended to support ongoing costs associated with said projects which shall include preventative maintenance, safety, service delivery and capital activities necessary to remain in compliance with said findings of said inspection; provided further, that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall issue monthly reports to the joint committee on transportation and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the status of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s progress toward responding to each finding and required action as issued by the Federal Transit Administration; and provided further, that said reports shall be delineated by special directive and shall include, but shall not be limited to: (i) the funds expended from this item and the related purpose for said spending; (ii) the completion date of each executed required action; and (iii) the estimated completion date of each pending required action .................................... $36,000,000
Education and Transportation Fund .........................100%
SECTION 6. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, income surtax revenue, as defined in section 2BBBBBB of chapter 29 of the General Laws, collected in the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2024 but certified after July 20, 2024, shall be transferred to the Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital Fund established in section 2DDDDDD of said chapter 29 from the Student Opportunity Act Investment Fund established in section 35RRR of chapter 10 of the General Laws, not later than 30 days after the effective date of this act.
Approved, June 24, 2025.