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H 3425

An Act establishing an Office of Economic Empowerment

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Sena and 1 co-sponsor

Creates the Office of Economic Empowerment within the Treasurer’s Office to promote equitable economic mobility through equity-centered programs and partnerships, funded by appropr

Hearing scheduled for 10/14/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2
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Bill Summary · H 3425

Summary of H 3425: An Act Establishing an Office of Economic Empowerment

Overview

  • Bill number: H 3425
  • Title: An Act establishing an Office of Economic Empowerment
  • Sponsor: Representative Steven Ultriño (Malden)
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Filed: January 9, 2025
  • Committee: Referred to the House Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
  • Status: Hearing scheduled for October 14, 2025, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, in room B-2
  • Related action: Senate concurrence noted in Legislative Actions; House Docket shows HD 467 as the accompanying version

Purpose and intent

The bill creates a new Office of Economic Empowerment within the Office of the Massachusetts State Treasurer. Its core purpose is to promote equitable access to opportunities and resources by developing and supporting equity-centered programs, policies, and partnerships aimed at advancing economic mobility and financial independence for residents across the Commonwealth.

Key provisions

  • Establishment: Adds a new Section 79 to Chapter 10 (as it appears in the 2020 Official Edition) establishing the Office of Economic Empowerment within the Treasurer’s office.
  • Functions and authority: The office shall perform such functions as determined by the Treasurer related to equitable access to opportunities and resources. The scope is defined by the Treasurer through equity-centered programs, policies, and partnerships.
  • Governance and supervision:
    • The office is supervised and controlled by an executive director, who is the executive and administrative head responsible for administering and enforcing laws and regulations pertaining to the office and related units.
    • The executive director’s duties are to be carried out under the direction, control, and supervision of the State Treasurer.
  • Staffing and compensation:
    • The executive director may appoint and remove employees, subject to appropriation.
    • Salary and duties of personnel are to be determined by the executive director, with total salaries constrained by the amounts appropriated by the General Court (i.e., funding is contingent on appropriation).

Affected parties

  • Massachusetts residents: beneficiaries of equity-centered programs aimed at improving economic mobility and financial independence.
  • Commonwealth agencies: particularly the Office of the State Treasurer and any administrative units within the Treasurer’s purview.
  • Prospective employees: individuals hired to staff the new Office of Economic Empowerment, subject to appropriation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and filing: January 9, 2025 (House Docket No. 467; House No. 3425).
  • Legislative action: Referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight on February 27, 2025.
  • Hearing: Scheduled for October 14, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in room B-2.
  • Status updates show ongoing consideration; the bill’s Senate action is indicated as “concurred” in Legislative Actions, though the bill text is a House measure.

Fiscal notes and implementation

  • Funding: The office’s activities and staffing are contingent on appropriation by the General Court; no specific appropriation or budget figures are stated in the bill text.
  • Implementation: The executive director would be responsible for administering the office and enforcing related regulations, subject to the Treasurer’s oversight and the available appropriations.

Related bill

  • HD 467: The accompanying or replacing version for the House (the bill as filed and presented).

This bill seeks to formalize a dedicated office within the Treasurer’s Office focused on advancing economic empowerment through equity-focused initiatives, with staffing and program activities determined within the bounds of annual appropriations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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