Bill
H 3997
Massachusetts creates the Suburban Infrastructure Fund to finance town-owned road, bridge, and sidewalk upgrades for towns under 50,000, with a minimum $250M annual distribution.
Note: the materials supplied appear to contain two distinct legislative texts bundled together. One is Massachusetts House Bill No. 3997 (an act to establish a Suburban Infrastructure Fund). The other is a South Carolina bill (filed 02/13/2025) that amends multiple state statutes to expand the definition of “first responder.” Both are summarized below and identified by jurisdiction.
Title: An Act establishing the Suburban Infrastructure Fund to help municipalities pay for improvements and upgrades to town‑owned roads, bridges and sidewalks
Purpose and intent
- Create a dedicated fund to assist small cities and towns in Massachusetts with capital improvements and upgrades to town‑owned roads, bridges and sidewalks.
Key provisions
- New section inserted into Chapter 29 (Section 2KKKKKK).
- Defines “qualifying municipality” as any city or town with population under 50,000.
- Establishes the Suburban Infrastructure Fund as a separate, non‑reverting fund on the Commonwealth’s books. The fund may receive appropriations, bond proceeds, other monies specifically designated by the legislature, investment income, and other sources.
- Administration: the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (EOAF) administers the fund and implements a grant process through which qualifying municipalities apply for funds.
- Distribution requirement: 100% of monies deposited in the fund shall be distributed to qualifying municipalities that apply, and the aggregate distribution shall be not less than $250,000,000 in each fiscal year.
- Eligible uses: costs to cover or reduce the cost of specific town‑owned road, bridge, or sidewalk projects.
Who is affected
- Cities and towns in Massachusetts with populations under 50,000 (eligible to apply for grants).
- Municipal public works, local officials, contractors, and residents benefiting from infrastructure projects.
- Commonwealth budget and potential capital bonding plans (states funds or bonds must be designated to the fund by the General Court).
Procedural status and timeline (from provided actions)
- Introduced / Filed: Jan 16, 2025 (House Docket No. 2361). Also listed as introduced Apr 3, 2025 in bill header.
- Referred to: Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government (and listed as referred to Committee on Ways and Means in some entries).
- Senate concurred: April 7, 2025 (entries show Senate concurrence).
- Multiple hearing entries scheduled for July 29, 2025 (Gardner Auditorium; virtual component), with time adjustments noted.
- Related bill: HD 2361 (replaces).
Potential fiscal/administrative impact
- Establishes a dedicated funding stream and a substantial minimum annual distribution ($250 million) — would require legislative appropriation or bonding each year to meet the floor amount.
- EOAF will have administrative duties to run the grant program; municipal demand may exceed available funds depending on appropriations.
(Separate jurisdiction; text amends S.C. Code of Laws)
Purpose and intent
- Expand statutory definitions and related benefits/tax treatments so that county and municipal public works employees who may be deployed in emergencies are included in several “first responder”‑related provisions.
Key provisions (amendments to SC Code)
- Section 12‑6‑1140 (income tax deductions): Adds county/municipal public works employees who may be deployed in emergencies to the list eligible for the volunteer/first responder deduction.
- Section 12‑37‑220 (property tax exemption survivorship): Extends “qualified surviving spouse” status to surviving spouses of county/municipal public works employees killed while deployed in an emergency (making them eligible for the homeowner exemption described).
- Section 42‑7‑90 (State Accident Fund workers’ compensation awards): Expands the definition of “first responder” used to determine eligibility for certain workers’ compensation award payments to include county/municipal public works employees deployable in emergencies.
- Section 44‑130‑20 (Overdose Prevention Act): Adds county/municipal public works employees who may be deployed in emergencies to the definition of “first responder” within that Act.
- Effective date: upon approval by the Governor.
Who is affected
- County and municipal public works employees in South Carolina who may be deployed in emergency response, and their surviving spouses.
- State tax revenues (potential deductions/exemptions), workers’ compensation program, and administrative agencies implementing these statutes.
Procedural status
- Filed / Introduced: February 13, 2025.
- The bill text indicates it becomes effective upon gubernatorial approval.
Potential impacts
- Expands eligibility for tax deductions and property tax exemptions and clarifies eligibility for state workers’ compensation awards and overdose‑prevention provisions. Fiscal impacts depend on the number of newly eligible individuals and the magnitude of deductions/exemptions; no fiscal estimates provided in the bill text.
If you’d like, I can:
- Produce a one‑page fact sheet tailored for municipal officials (MA) or county public works managers (SC);
- Flag potential fiscal questions for legislative staff (estimates, appropriation sources, administrative costs);
- Track upcoming hearing dates and committee assignments and draft suggested testimony points.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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