Bill
H 3101
Massachusetts bill would exempt certain severely disabled veterans from sales tax and vehicle registration fees for one personal vehicle.
Note: The material provided for H.3101 contains two distinct legislative texts that appear to have been concatenated: (A) a Massachusetts bill (House No. 3101, Rep. William C. Galvin) that would exempt certain disabled veterans from vehicle sales tax and registration/license fees; and (B) a South Carolina draft amendment adding a statutory provision making guardians ad litem subject to disciplinary investigation. Both are summarized below and clearly labeled. Verify which jurisdiction and text you intend to track.
Purpose
- To exempt certain severely disabled veterans (and persons with comparable limb loss) from paying Massachusetts sales tax on the purchase of one motor vehicle and to waive vehicle registration and operator license fees for those veterans.
Key provisions
- Amendments to chapter 64H, §6 (sales tax exemptions):
- Adds/rewrites paragraph (u) to exempt from sales tax the sale of a motor vehicle purchased by and for the use of a person who has suffered loss, or permanent loss of use of, both legs or both arms or one leg and one arm; or a veteran determined permanently disabled by the medical advisory board under G.L. c.90, §8C, who has been issued a disabled veteran number plate or the special parking identification placard.
- The exemption applies to one motor vehicle only, owned and registered for personal, noncommercial use.
- Amendments to chapter 90, §33 (registration fees):
- Replaces subdivision (29) to provide that no fee shall be exacted for registration of any vehicle owned by a veteran entitled to display disabled veteran distinctive plates or the special parking placard, and no fee shall be exacted for issuance of a license to operate such vehicle.
Who is affected
- Eligible veterans or persons with specified limb loss who: (a) have the disabled veteran plates or handicapped parking placard, and (b) purchase and register one vehicle for personal, noncommercial use.
- State agencies (Massachusetts Department of Revenue; Registry of Motor Vehicles) and state finances—reduced collections of sales tax and registration/license fees to the extent veterans claim the exemptions.
Procedural/timeline notes
- Introduced and read first time: 01/14/2025; referred to Committee on Judiciary and to Committee on Revenue (02/27/2025).
- Senate concurred (02/27/2025).
- Hearing scheduled: 06/24/2025, 10:30 AM–1:00 PM (location A-2).
- Sponsor name addition: B. L. Cox (04/08/2025).
- Related bill: HD 956 (replaces).
Potential impacts
- Direct financial benefit to qualifying veterans through tax and fee savings (limited to one personal vehicle).
- State revenue reduction (amount depends on number of claimants and vehicle values). Administrative impacts: RMV and DOR would need to implement procedures to verify eligibility and apply exemptions.
Purpose
- To make guardians ad litem (GALs) appointed in private custody or visitation actions before family court subject to investigation by the South Carolina Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) for alleged ethical misconduct or statutory duty violations.
Key provisions
- Adds Section 63-3-880 to Title 63, Chapter 3, Article 7:
- States a guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to §63-3-810 is subject to investigation by the ODC, which shall receive and investigate allegations of ethical misconduct and violations of statutory duty by GALs in private custody/visitation actions.
- Effective date: upon approval by the Governor.
Who is affected
- Guardians ad litem practicing in private custody or visitation cases in South Carolina family courts.
- Office of Disciplinary Counsel (expanded investigatory role); family court processes may adjust to increased oversight.
Procedural/timeline notes
- Draft filed: 12/05/2024 (text appears twice in materials). Verify current bill number and procedural status with South Carolina legislative sources.
Potential impacts
- Increased accountability and potential disciplinary exposure for GALs.
- Possible changes in GAL behavior, retention, and the cost/availability of GAL services; potential administrative burden on ODC.
If you want, I can:
- Produce a comparison brief focused only on the Massachusetts text or only on the South Carolina provision;
- Draft a short fiscal note template identifying data needed to estimate revenue impact for the Massachusetts provisions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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