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Bill

HD 1959

An Act relative to amending the Community Preservation Act to include an extra percentage surcharge for accessibility

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Chris Flanagan

Massachusetts bill adds real estate transfer tax surcharge for municipal accessibility improvements like ramps and curb cuts, creating dedicated funding but potentially raising housing costs.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 1959

Legislative bill overview

HD 1959 would amend Massachusetts' Community Preservation Act to add an additional percentage surcharge on real estate transfer taxes, with revenues dedicated to accessibility improvements. The Community Preservation Act currently allows municipalities to impose a surcharge (up to 3%) for land conservation, historic preservation, and affordable housing; this bill expands that mechanism to include accessibility projects.

Why is this important

Accessibility improvements—such as ramps, elevators, accessible parking, and curb cuts—benefit elderly residents, people with disabilities, and parents with strollers, yet municipalities often lack dedicated funding for these projects. Creating a dedicated revenue stream could systematically address accessibility gaps in public and private spaces across Massachusetts communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Regressive taxation: Real estate transfer taxes are ultimately passed to buyers, potentially making homeownership less affordable in communities that implement the surcharge, disproportionately affecting lower-income purchasers
  • Unfunded mandate concerns: The bill may create expectations for accessibility spending without sufficient local control over implementation priorities or flexibility in how funds are used
  • Definitional ambiguity: The bill's language regarding which accessibility projects qualify for funding is not detailed in this summary, leaving questions about scope and potential disputes over eligible expenditures

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

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