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H 4378

Jim and Cheryl Wiszowaty, SC Poultry Festival Citizens of the Year

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 122 co-sponsors

Massachusetts local act lets West Tisbury Affordable Housing Trust spend funds to help households up to 150% of Dukes County median income; CPA funds unchanged.

Introduced and adopted
0
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Bill Summary · H 4378

Summary — H 4378

Note on document sources
- The materials provided include two distinct measures that share the identifier “H 4378” but are from different jurisdictions and of different types:
1. A ceremonial South Carolina House resolution honoring Jim “Wiz” and Cheryl Wiszowaty (introduced and adopted April 23, 2025).
2. A Massachusetts local act (House Bill No. 4378 / House Docket No. 4975, filed July 29, 2025) enabling a West Tisbury Affordable Housing Trust to expand income eligibility.
This summary covers both items and clarifies which applies where.

1) South Carolina — House Resolution: “Jim and Cheryl Wiszowaty, SC Poultry Festival Citizens of the Year”

  • Type: Ceremonial resolution (House)
  • Status: Introduced and adopted (April 23, 2025)
  • Purpose: Honor and congratulate Jim “Wiz” and Cheryl Wiszowaty of Batesburg‑Leesville for being named the 2025 South Carolina Poultry Festival Distinguished Citizens of the Year.
  • Key points in text:
    • Recites the Wiszowatys’ biography: Wisconsin roots, long careers in the restaurant/hospitality business (Wiz’s Pizza/Wiz’s Eatery), community activities and entrepreneurship (Cheryl’s ABC Reporting).
    • Lists public service and civic contributions: volunteer fire service (Wiz), Rotary, chamber leadership, former mayor, charity fundraisers (Hurricane relief, Wiz’s Angels), sponsorships for local schools and athletics.
    • Notes receipt of the 2022 Champions for Public Education Award (Lexington County School District 3).
  • Effect: Purely honorary — no legal or fiscal effects. Resolution directs that a copy be presented to Jim and Cheryl.

2) Massachusetts — An Act relative to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund of the Town of West Tisbury (House No. 4378 / Docket No. 4975)

  • Type: Local bill / special act (Massachusetts General Court)
  • Filed/Presented: House Docket No. 4975 filed 7/29/2025; presented by Rep. Thomas W. Moakley and Sen. Julian Cyr (petitioned by the town)
  • Key provision:
    • Allows the West Tisbury Affordable Housing Trust (established under G.L. c. 44, §55C) to expend trust funds to create or support community housing for households earning up to 150% of the Dukes County median household income as published by HUD.
    • Explicit exception: Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds remain subject to the income limits specified in the CPA (i.e., this change does not override CPA income restrictions).
    • The language operates “notwithstanding any general or special law” — a targeted local override to permit a higher income threshold.
  • Affected parties:
    • Primary: West Tisbury Affordable Housing Trust and households in West Tisbury / Dukes County eligible for community housing.
    • Secondary: Town housing planning, developers of local affordable or workforce housing, and recipients of CPA-funded projects (unchanged CPA limits).
  • Legislative status & procedure:
    • Referred to the Joint Committee on Housing (8/7/2025).
    • Senate concurred (8/11/2025).
    • Hearing scheduled for written testimony only on 11/10/2025 (12:00 PM).
    • Related docket: HD 4975 noted as replacing/related.
  • Potential impact:
    • Expands eligibility to include moderate‑ and some higher‑income households (up to 150% of county median), potentially broadening the pool of beneficiaries for locally funded housing programs (e.g., workforce housing).
    • Could increase flexibility for the Trust to target local needs (e.g., seasonal workers, teachers, municipal employees) but may shift limited trust resources away from the lowest‑income households unless additional funding is secured.
    • CPA-funded projects remain constrained by CPA statutory income limits; the change applies only to non‑CPA trust funds.

If you want, I can:
- Draft a one‑page briefing for local officials on implementation choices (income verification, prioritization), or
- Produce a short public explainer comparing impacts at different income thresholds (80%, 120%, 150% of median).

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

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