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H 5470

An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Provides emergency, one-time supplemental funding for FY 2026 across state agencies and local programs, expanding education, health, and community grants through 2027–2029.

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 101 of the Acts of 2026
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Bill Summary · H 5470

Overview

  • Bill: H 5470
  • Session/Jurisdiction: Massachusetts, 194th General Court
  • Title: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects
  • Nature: Emergency supplemental appropriation act. Declares emergency to provide immediate funding and changes in law as needed to carry out the appropriations and public purposes.

Main purpose and intent

  • To provide supplemental appropriations for FY 2026 and to implement certain programmatic and statutory changes needed to execute those funds.
  • Funds are drawn from the General Fund or the Transitional Escrow Fund (and related dedicated funds) and are available through June 30, 2027 (with many items also permitting longer-term availability through 2029 for some sections).

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1 authorizes additional appropriations for FY 2026 (and extensions through 2027/2029 in some cases) to supplement existing general and other appropriation acts.
  • Targeted allocations include:
    • Judiciary: Board of Bar Examiners; Indigent Persons Fees and Court Costs.
    • Comptroller: Settlements and Judgments.
    • Health and Human Services: Immigration Legal Assistance Fund; DTA caseworkers; WIC manufacturer rebates.
    • Public Safety: Department of Correction operations.
    • Transportation: MBTA workforce/safety reserve; Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital Fund (allocation of resources).
    • Education: A broad array of targeted education programs and initiatives, many through the Office of the Secretary and DESE, including:
    • Early literacy, targeted scholarships, Green Schoolworks, mental health supports, adult basic education, high-dosage tutoring, rural school aid, and numerous local education project grants.
    • Section 2A: Additional unanticipated obligations and program alterations, funded largely from the Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital Fund or Transitional Escrow Fund, with a long list of recipients:
    • Cannabis Education program (public education and awareness), in collaboration with DPH and DESE.
    • Reserves for World Cup-related activities, health care affordability, and home energy assistance for low-income households.
    • Sheriff Office costs reporting and oversight requirements.
    • Transition-age youth services reserve supporting high-quality community-based services and private investment matching.
  • Substantive emphasis on distributing substantial one-time grants to a wide array of public schools, non-profits, libraries, cultural and community organizations, and local governments for capital needs, instructional resources, technology, accessibility improvements, and programmatic initiatives.
  • Many line-item entries specify minimum funding levels for particular organizations, districts, or programs (e.g., literacy, STEM, mental health, career readiness, special education transportation, afterschool programs, and civic education activities).

Who/what would be affected

  • State agencies (Judiciary, Comptroller, Health and Human Services, Public Safety, Transportation, Education).
  • Local school districts and municipalities across Massachusetts (through extensive line-item grants for schools, libraries, and community programs).
  • Nonprofit organizations and cultural/educational institutions receiving grants or project funding.
  • Programs addressing literacy, workforce readiness, mental health, special education, afterschool and summer programs, and capital improvements.
  • Oversight and reporting requirements linked to sheriff offices and other funded entities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Emergency enactment language indicates immediate effect to preserve public convenience.
  • Funds are generally available through June 30, 2027 for most items, with many items carrying utilization through 2029 (Section 2A).
  • Requires ongoing compliance with state public funds disbursement rules and provides for transfers and reserved funds as needed for specified purposes.

If you’d like, I can provide a more granular, department-by-department breakdown of Section 2A line items or compile a concise impact table for key programs (e.g., education, literacy, mental health, STEM).

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

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