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H 3834

Charlotte Maxine Gibson, 90th birthday

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

Allows towns to add a voluntary check-off on tax bills for local veterans' support, with funds overseen by the local veterans' agent.

Introduced and adopted
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3834

Summary — H.3834 (House Docket No. 3109)

Title(s) in packet: “Charlotte Maxine Gibson, 90th birthday” (ceremonial resolution appears separately); principal substantive proposal: “An Act in support of veterans and dependents through municipal tax bills.”

Purpose / intent

The bill would authorize Massachusetts cities and towns to offer a voluntary “check‑off” or separate donation form with municipal tax bills (including motor vehicle excise tax bills) so taxpayers may add a voluntary contribution that would be deposited to a local account supervised by the municipal veterans’ agent. The stated intent is to facilitate local, voluntary donations to support veterans and their dependents in need.

Key provisions

  • Municipal option: Any city or town may (not must) add a designated place on its municipal tax bills or motor vehicle excise tax bills, or mail a separate form with those bills, to enable voluntary donations.
  • Voluntary contributions: Taxpayers may check a box and pledge an additional amount that increases their tax payment; the added amount is voluntary.
  • Use of funds: Donations are to be paid into an account under the supervision of the local veterans’ agent and used to support veterans and dependents in need.
  • Approvals required: Implementation is subject to approval by (1) the Massachusetts Commissioner of Revenue and (2) the municipality’s legislative body.
  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon its passage.

Who is affected

  • Municipal governments: Treasurers/collectors and clerks would need to add the check‑off or form, process donations, and coordinate with the veterans’ agent; local legislative bodies must approve participation.
  • Local veterans’ agents: Would supervise the receiving account and the distribution/uses of donated funds.
  • Taxpayers: Would have an optional way to donate small amounts to local veterans’ support when paying municipal taxes or excises.
  • Veterans and dependents in need: Potentially benefit from increased local financial support.

Administrative and fiscal impacts

  • Small-scale revenue: Donations are voluntary; no mandatory revenue or state appropriation is created.
  • Administrative tasks: Municipalities would incur minor administrative costs to modify bill forms, collect and account for donations, and ensure oversight of the veterans’ account. DOR approval and municipal legislative approvals add procedural steps.
  • Accountability: Funds would be locally supervised by the veterans’ agent; municipalities may need to adopt local rules for fund management, reporting, and allowable uses (not specified in the bill).

Legislative status and timeline

  • Filed/Introduced: House docketed as No. 3109 (filed 1/16/2025). Text shows introduction on 1/30/2025 and “introduced and adopted” noted 1/30/2025.
  • Referred: Referred to the committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs (2/27/2025).
  • Senate concurrence: Senate concurred (2/27/2025).
  • Hearings: Hearing scheduled/rescheduled for 10/28/2025 (committee A‑2; virtual options noted).
  • Related: HD 3109 listed as a replacement (technical housekeeping of dockets).

Note about mixed materials in the provided text

The packet includes an unrelated ceremonial resolution from the South Carolina House congratulating Charlotte Maxine Gibson on her 90th birthday (biographical/ceremonial text). That resolution is distinct from the Massachusetts municipal donation bill above; the substantive legislative measure here is the municipal veterans donation option (presented by Representative Mark J. Cusack of Braintree).

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

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