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H 4839

An Act relative to tourism marketing and promotion grants

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Natalie Blais and 8 co-sponsors

H 4839 requires regional tourism grants to be disbursed within the fiscal year: at least 50% by Sept 1 and the rest by Dec 1, from the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 4839

Summary: H 4839 - An Act relative to tourism marketing and promotion grants

Overview

H 4839, introduced December 24, 2025, and reported favorably by the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, would amend Chapter 23A to create a new grant-distribution requirement for regional tourism councils funded through the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund (established in section 13T of Chapter 23A). The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Purpose

  • To establish clear timing requirements for distributing grants to regional tourism councils, ensuring funds allocated for tourism marketing and promotion are disbursed within the fiscal year of allocation.

Key Provisions

  • New Section 69 added to Chapter 23A: Grants allocated to regional tourism councils through the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund must be distributed with specific deadlines.
    • Deadline 1: At least 50% of the total grant funds available must be distributed no later than September 1 of the fiscal year in which they are allocated.
    • Deadline 2: The remaining funds must be distributed no later than December 1 of the same fiscal year.
  • Source of funds: Grants are allocated through the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund as established in section 13T, Chapter 23A.

Who is Affected

  • Regional tourism councils that receive grants for marketing and promotion from the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund.
  • Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund administrators/allocators responsible for distributing funds.
  • Other stakeholders in Massachusetts tourism marketing, including state agencies and local tourism partners, may be impacted by more predictable funding cycles.

Timeline and Procedural Context

  • Introduced: December 24, 2025.
  • Status: Reported favorably by the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development; referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
  • Legislative Actions:
    • 2025-12-24: Reported from the committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.
    • 2025-12-24: New draft referenced as H3588.
    • 2025-12-24: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to Ways and Means.

Potential Impact

  • Improves timeliness and predictability of grant disbursements to regional tourism councils.
  • May enhance planning for regional tourism marketing initiatives by ensuring funds are available within a defined window each fiscal year.
  • Could influence the pacing of grant-expenditure reporting and program implementation for tourism promotion efforts.

Additional Notes

  • The summary reflects only the provisions in the introduced text for Section 69; no other substantive changes to Chapter 23A are indicated in the bill text provided.
  • As the bill moves through the legislative process, final language, fiscal impact statements, and potential amendments from Ways and Means may provide further details.

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

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