WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 936

Directs state agencies to submit reports detailing their telework policies

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pat Fahy and 2 co-sponsors

Guarantees a minimum $20 million funding for the endowment match program for public higher education, with fixed shares for UMass, state universities, and community colleges.

REFERRED TO LABOR
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 936

Summary — S.936 (filed as Senate No. 936 / SD 1258)

Title discrepancy: cover metadata references telework reporting, but the bill text and docket (Senate No. 936 / SD 1258) address higher education endowment matching. The summary below reflects the bill text as filed (An Act relative to the endowment match program).

Purpose

To provide a dedicated minimum appropriation to continue and strengthen the Commonwealth’s endowment match program for public higher education institutions, encouraging private fundraising for endowments and capital outlay.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 15E of chapter 15A of the General Laws by removing the phrase “subject to appropriation” and adding a funding paragraph.
  • Establishes that at least $20,000,000 shall be expended to continue implementation of the endowment match program to encourage private fundraising by Massachusetts public higher education institutions.
  • Directs the Board of Higher Education to implement the program so that each institution has an opportunity to secure matching funds.
  • Specifies an allocation of the $20,000,000 as follows:
    • $10,000,000 allocated to the University of Massachusetts (UMass)
    • $5,000,000 allocated to state universities
    • $5,000,000 allocated to community colleges
  • Provides a cascade reallocation mechanism:
    • If community college-allocated funds are unused, the remainder becomes available to state universities.
    • If state university-allocated funds are unused, the remainder becomes available to UMass.

Who is affected

  • Public higher education institutions in Massachusetts: UMass campuses, state universities, and community colleges.
  • Board of Higher Education (implementation and oversight responsibility).
  • Private donors and institutional development/fundraising operations, which may see enhanced matching opportunities.
  • State fiscal authorities due to the statutory spending commitment.

Potential impact

  • Creates a more certain funding floor (minimum $20M) for matching grants, likely boosting incentives for private fundraising and supporting endowments and capital projects.
  • Allocates the largest single share to UMass, with smaller, fixed shares to state universities and community colleges; the cascade rule may shift unused funds upward.
  • By removing “subject to appropriation,” the language suggests a stronger statutory funding commitment; this may have budgetary implications depending on appropriation and implementation practice.

Procedural status & timeline highlights

  • Filed: 1/16/2025 (Senate Docket No. 1258). Introduced/read: 3/11/2025.
  • Referred to committees at various times (Higher Education; Finance; Internet & Technology; Labor appears in later docket entries).
  • Passed Senate: 2/26/2025; delivered to House/Assembly and referred there (dates in docket show multiple committee referrals and scheduled hearings).
  • Subsequent drafts: accompanied a new draft identified as S2702 (11/12–11/13/2025).
  • Hearing(s) scheduled: 09/11/2025 (per docket).

Note: multiple docket entries show overlapping/duplicative dates and committee referrals; consult the official legislative docket (Senate No. 936 / SD 1258 and any successor draft S2702) for the current operative text and up-to-date status.

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

Sign in to ask a question.