Bill
H 3013
Massachusetts bill provides a $500 state income tax credit for commuters using a ferry as their primary Work Transportation, if at least 50% of trips are by ferry.
Note on source documents
- The submitted file contains two different bill texts merged together: (A) a Massachusetts bill (House No. 3013 / Rep. Bruce J. Ayers) that would create a tax credit for commuters who use public waterway (commuter ferry) transportation, and (B) a South Carolina draft amending guardian ad litem qualifications to require criminal background checks. The bill number, title shown (“Guardians ad Litem”), and legislative actions appear to mix elements of both. The summary below treats both pieces separately and flags the inconsistency.
Purpose
- To encourage use of commuter ferries by providing a state income tax credit to eligible riders.
Key provisions
- Amends Section 6 of Chapter 62 (Massachusetts General Laws) by adding subsection (dd).
- Allows a taxpayer a $500 tax credit against state income tax for use of a commuter ferry as the primary means of transportation to work.
- Eligibility requirement: taxpayer must use a commuter ferry for at least 50% of the days they commute to work.
Who is affected
- Individual Massachusetts taxpayers who commute to work and meet the 50% ferry-use threshold.
- Indirectly affects ferry operators (potential ridership increase), employers near ferry terminals, and state revenues (potential reduction).
Procedural / timeline (as provided)
- Prefiled: 12/05/2024
- Introduced / read first time: 01/14/2025 (Presented by Rep. Bruce J. Ayers)
- Referred to Committee on Judiciary: 01/14/2025
- Referred to Committee on Revenue: 02/27/2025
- Senate concurred: 02/27/2025 (as reported in the file)
- Hearings scheduled/rescheduled for 10/17/2025 (times and venue listed)
Potential fiscal and policy impacts (summary)
- Fiscal cost: nominally $500 per eligible claimant; total revenue impact depends on number of qualifying commuters (not estimated in text).
- Policy effects: may incentivize ferry commuting, reduce roadway congestion and emissions for some commutes, and boost ferry ridership; administrative burden on Department of Revenue to implement and verify eligibility (documentation standards not specified in bill).
Purpose
- To restrict appointment of guardians ad litem in private family court cases based on certain criminal convictions and to require criminal history background checks.
Key provisions
- Prohibits appointment as guardian ad litem for persons convicted of specified offenses (offenses against the person, morality/decency, criminal domestic violence, certain drug offenses, contributing to delinquency of a minor).
- Requires a criminal history background check (conducted by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, SLED) prior to each appointment; the individual seeking appointment must pay the cost.
- Requires appointed guardians ad litem to file an affidavit with the court and parties attesting to compliance, including:
- Completion of required training;
- Statement that they have not been convicted of disqualifying crimes and a copy of the SLED background check;
- Statement they are not and have never been on the Department of Social Services Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect.
- Effective upon approval by the Governor.
Who is affected
- Individuals applying to serve as guardians ad litem in South Carolina private family court cases, courts, parties in those cases, SLED (to conduct checks), and DSS (central registry verifications).
Potential impacts
- Aims to increase child safety and vetting of court-appointed advocates.
- Shifts background-check costs to applicants; may impose administrative and timing burdens on appointment processes.
- Courts will have documentary verification obligations at case appointment.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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