WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 3054

General Assembly, remote and virtual sessions

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Hamilton Grant and 2 co-sponsors

Massachusetts would let towns levy a local 0.10 per linear foot annual excise tax on unused rail/utility corridors for revenue and to repurpose dormant rights-of-way.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3054

Summary of Bill H.3054 and related materials — combined file note

Note: The provided file contains two distinct measures bundled together. One is a Massachusetts House bill (House No. 3054 / House Docket No. 1511) introduced by Representative Michelle L. Ciccolo concerning a local-option excise tax on unused utility/railroad rights-of-way. The other is a South Carolina joint resolution proposing a state constitutional amendment to allow remote/virtual sessions of the General Assembly under certain emergency conditions. Both are summarized below.

A. Massachusetts — House No. 3054 (Rep. Michelle L. Ciccolo)

Title: An Act to establish a local option municipal excise tax on unused utility corridors

Purpose / Intent

Allow Massachusetts cities and towns, by local adoption, to levy a small excise on unused railroad/utility rights-of-way that have not been used for their intended utility delivery purpose for more than 10 years. The aim is to generate local revenue and encourage productive use or transfer of dormant infrastructure corridors.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 8B to Chapter 59 of the General Laws.
  • Local option: Any municipality with such unused rights-of-way may adopt the section and levy the tax.
  • Trigger: Applies to rights-of-way owned or leased by a railroad or utility that have not been used for delivering utilities for greater than 10 years.
  • Tax base and rate: Imposes an excise of $0.10 per linear foot per year for each right-of-way parcel (as defined by the municipal assessor).
  • Payment timing: Tax payable by the railroad or utility to the Commissioner of Revenue on or before March 15 each year, based on the total linear feet owned or operated as of December 31 of the preceding year.
  • Distribution: Amounts received are to be distributed at least quarterly by the state treasurer to each adopting city or town, proportionate to sums received from transfers of occupancy in each municipality.
  • Administration: The Commissioner of Revenue will prescribe forms, rules, and regulations for administration and enforcement.

Who is affected

  • Primary payers: Railroad and utility companies that own or operate rights-of-way within Massachusetts that meet the unused-for-10-years condition.
  • Beneficiaries: Municipalities that choose to adopt the local option; they would receive revenues.
  • Secondary effects: Potential incentive for utilities/railroads to repurpose, transfer, or reactivate corridors to avoid taxation.

Procedural/status notes

  • Prefiled: 12/05/2024
  • Introduced/read first time: 01/14/2025
  • Referred: Committee on Judiciary (01/14/2025 and 12/05/2024 entries) and Committee on Revenue (02/27/2025)
  • Legislative action entries include a Senate concurrence (02/27/2025) and scheduled/rescheduled hearings in October 2025 (10/17/2025). (Record appears to combine actions; confirm with official legislative clerk for up-to-date status.)

B. South Carolina — Joint Resolution (constitutional amendment)

Subject: Proposed amendment to Section 9, Article III (meetings of the General Assembly)

Purpose / Intent

Permit the General Assembly to meet using remote and virtual technology for annual sessions when it is unsafe for members to meet in person at the seat of government because of war, social unrest, contagious disease/epidemic/pandemic, natural disaster, or other acts of God — at the determination of the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House.

Key provisions

  • Amends Constitution Section 9, Article III to add explicit authority for remote/virtual meetings in emergencies (in addition to existing provisions allowing a change of meeting place by gubernatorial proclamation in certain circumstances).
  • Maintains existing convening date and other procedural language (annual session convenes second Tuesday of January; pay/compensation cap: members shall not receive compensation for more than 40 days of any one session).
  • Mandates submission of the proposed constitutional amendment to the voters at the next general election with specified ballot language (Yes/No question).

Who is affected

  • Members of the South Carolina General Assembly and legislative operations — would gain formal constitutional authority to conduct legislative sessions remotely under specified emergency conditions.
  • Voters: amendment must be approved by the electorate at the next general election.

Procedural/status notes

  • This measure is a joint resolution proposing a state constitutional amendment and therefore requires voter approval at the next general election. The text includes the ballot question and instructions.

If you want, I can:
- Verify current procedural status with the Massachusetts legislative website and correct committee/hearing details.
- Produce a short fiscal estimate showing example revenue amounts per mile of unused corridor at $0.10/foot/year.

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

Sign in to ask a question.