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HD 698

An Act to waive chargebacks on state grants, federal grant awards, federal subgrants and subsidies for the Regional Emergency Communication Center on Martha's Vineyard

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Julian Cyr and 1 co-sponsor

The bill exempts state and federal grants to the Dukes County Sheriff’s RECC from chargebacks for fringe benefits, indirect costs, and payroll taxes.

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Bill Summary · HD 698

Summary of HD 698 – An Act to waive chargebacks on state grants, federal grant awards, federal subgrants and subsidies for the Regional Emergency Communication Center on Martha's Vineyard

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to exempt the Dukes County Sheriff’s Regional Emergency Communication Center (RECC) on Martha’s Vineyard from chargebacks related to grants and subsidies.
  • Specifically, it would prohibit chargebacks of fringe benefits, indirect costs, and payroll taxes for salary costs moved back as reimbursement under interdepartmental service agreements (ISAs) between the Dukes County Sheriff and another state agency.

Key provisions

  • Notwithstanding any general or special law or regulation to the contrary, all state grants, federal grant awards, federal subgrants, and subsidies for the Dukes County Sheriff’s RECC would be exempt from:
    • Chargebacks of fringe benefits
    • Indirect costs
    • Payroll taxes
  • The exemption applies to salary costs that are moved back as reimbursement from the Dukes County Sheriff’s appropriation to the awarding agency’s appropriation under any ISA between the Dukes County Sheriff and another state agency.

Affected parties and entities

  • Primary beneficiary: Dukes County Sheriff’s Regional Emergency Communication Center on Martha’s Vineyard.
  • Dukes County Sheriff's Office and its funding mechanisms.
  • State agencies that issue grants or enter ISAs with the Dukes County Sheriff.
  • Potentially, other regional or state-level grant recipients could be influenced by a similar policy in the future.

Fiscal and budgetary implications

  • The bill would reduce or eliminate cost transfers (chargebacks) back to the RECC’s parent or related state appropriations for covered grants.
  • Net effect could be an increase in available grant funds for RECC operations, by removing deductions associated with fringe benefits, indirect costs, and payroll taxes.
  • The measure could alter internal budgeting for both the RECC and the funding state agencies that administer grants or ISAs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced as House Docket No. 698; filed January 11, 2025 (House No. 3389 in the 194th General Court: 2025-2026).
  • The petition is presented by Rep. Thomas W. Moakley and Sen. Julian Cyr (Cape and Islands).
  • A similar matter previously circulated in the 2023-2024 session as Senate No. 1987, indicating prior interest and potential ongoing consideration.
  • Status in the provided text is not specified beyond its introduction; typical next steps would involve committee assignment and public hearings.

Notes

  • The language emphasizes exemptions from chargebacks rather than altering the overall grant amounts.
  • The bill targets a specific regional emergency communications facility, with potential broader implications if similar exemptions are adopted for other entities through future legislation.

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

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