WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 2289

Expands the veterans' preference to include veterans who did not serve during a time of war for certain housing

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 2 co-sponsors

Massachusetts would create a Low-Income Cooling Assistance Program to help eligible households buy/install cooling equipment and prohibit utility shutoffs for those in financial ha

REFERRED TO HOUSING
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2289

Summary — S.2289 (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2025)

Note: materials provided contain inconsistent/duplicative items (an unrelated “Healthy Moms and Babies Act” table of contents, federal sponsor names, and duplicated procedural entries). This summary focuses on the bill text filed in the Massachusetts Senate (S.2289, filed 1/17/2025), which amends state law to create a low‑income cooling assistance program and to prohibit residential utility shutoffs for customers experiencing financial hardship.

Main purpose

S.2289 establishes a Low‑Income Cooling Assistance Program under the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and strengthens consumer protections by prohibiting gas/electric shutoffs for residential customers who cannot pay overdue charges because of financial hardship.

Key provisions

  • Low‑Income Cooling Assistance Program (adds section 24C to Chapter 23B)

    • DHCD (undersecretary) will operate a cooling program consistent with the federal Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 8621–8630).
    • Eligible uses:
    • Purchase and installation of an air‑conditioning unit and/or ceiling fan(s) and/or box fan(s), with a combined cap of $500 per eligible household.
    • Contributions to electric bills when used to assist with cooling/air‑conditioning during the appropriate time(s) of year.
    • Eligibility:
    • Household income ≤ 60% of state median income.
    • Applicant must be homeowner OR provide written landlord permission to install a window AC unit (no landlord permission required for box fans).
    • Funding allocation:
    • At least 10% of state funds allocated for LIHEAP must be dedicated each fiscal year to this cooling program.
    • Funds to be distributed across all geographic regions; priority given to underserved/disproportionately impacted areas based on income, housing infrastructure/density, and climate.
    • Reporting:
    • DHCD must submit an annual report to the Joint Committee on Housing and the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means summarizing program activity (applicants, accepted applications, participating retailers, assisting entities, number of units/fans distributed, program costs).

  • Utility shutoff prohibition (amends Section 124F of Chapter 164)

    • No gas or electric company shall shut off service to any residential customer who cannot pay an overdue charge because of financial hardship.
    • The Department (presumably DPU) may promulgate rules to implement this provision.

Who is affected

  • Low‑income households (≤60% SMI) in Massachusetts — homeowners and renters (with landlord permission for window AC installation).
  • DHCD (program administration), LIHEAP administrators, retailers and installers participating in the program.
  • Gas and electric utilities (must not terminate service for customers with demonstrated financial hardship).
  • Underserved and climate‑vulnerable communities prioritized for allocation.

Procedural/status notes (as provided)

  • Filed in Senate: 1/17/2025.
  • Legislative entries provided include referrals to committees (Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy; Housing; Finance), hearing dates (hearing scheduled/rescheduled for 09/25/2025), and other duplicate actions. Provided record contains contradictory items (e.g., passed Senate/delivered to Assembly entries dated 05/14/2025 and a 07/15/2025 referral); these should be verified with the legislative clerk for current status.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Public health: increased access to cooling may reduce heat‑related illness and mortality among vulnerable households.
  • Energy burden relief: targeted assistance for equipment and electric bills during hot periods.
  • Administrative/fiscal: dedicating at least 10% of LIHEAP funds may reallocate existing resources—requires fiscal analysis to estimate program scale and administrative costs.
  • Implementation questions to clarify: definition of “appropriate times of the year,” verification process for financial hardship (utility shutoff protection), enforcement mechanisms, and whether the $500 cap covers both purchase and professional installation in all cases.

If you want, I can: (1) produce a one‑page factsheet for constituents, (2) draft suggested amendment language to resolve ambiguities (timing, hardship verification), or (3) check the current official legislative status.

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

Sign in to ask a question.