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Bill

S 2057

Enacts the "beauty justice act"

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 42 co-sponsors

Requires each Ways and Means committee to hold at least three regional hearings (Boston, Worcester, Springfield) with 14 days’ notice for any bill that purports to establish, incre

REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
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Bill Summary · S 2057

Summary — S.2057 (An Act relative to taxes and fee transparency)

Status: Referred to Ways and Means
Filed: Jan. 13, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 455)
Presented/Primary sponsor: Sen. Patrick M. O’Connor
Short title in text: An Act relative to taxes and fee transparency

Purpose / Intent

The bill requires the Ways and Means committee in each branch of the Massachusetts General Court (Senate and House) to hold multiple, regionally distributed public hearings for any bill that would establish, increase, or expand a tax or fee. The aim is to increase public notice, participation, and geographic accessibility for fiscal measures affecting taxpayers.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new section (38B½) to Chapter 3 of the General Laws.
  • For any bill referred to a Ways and Means committee that “purports to establish, increase or expand any new or existing taxes or fees,” that committee must:
    • Conduct at least three public hearings.
    • Provide at least 14 days’ public notice before each hearing.
    • Hold the three hearings in three distinct geographic regions of the Commonwealth; specifically:
    • One hearing in the City of Boston,
    • One hearing in the City of Worcester,
    • One hearing in the City of Springfield.
  • Applies to the Ways and Means committee of each branch (i.e., both the Senate and the House).

Who is affected

  • Legislative committees: House and Senate Ways and Means committees would be required to schedule and run additional hearings and provide the mandated notice and locations.
  • Lawmakers: Potential procedural adjustments to how fiscal bills are scheduled and advanced.
  • Residents and stakeholders: Increased opportunity for in‑person testimony and engagement from different regions of the state (Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and their surrounding areas).
  • Administrative/operational staff: Additional logistics and costs for scheduling, staffing, and publishing notices for hearings outside the committee’s usual location.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • The statute prescribes a 14‑day public notice period prior to each required hearing.
  • The bill text does not specify timing relative to committee reporting deadlines; it prescribes minimum hearing count and location/notice requirements that could affect committee scheduling.
  • Documented legislative actions in the file include filing, referral to committee, and subsequent referrals to Ways and Means; current status listed as referred to Ways and Means.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Transparency & access: Likely to increase public input on tax/fee proposals and improve geographic reach of hearings.
  • Legislative workflow: May extend time or increase complexity for Ways and Means committees to move fiscal bills, particularly those with short legislative timelines.
  • Costs/logistics: Holding multiple hearings in three cities imposes additional travel/logistical costs and staff resources.
  • Scope questions: The bill applies to any measure that “purports to” affect taxes/fees — interpretation may require guidance or lead to disputes about which bills trigger the requirement.

For further tracking: monitor House and Senate Ways and Means calendars and committee reports for scheduling and implementation details.

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

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