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Bill

H 3050

Magistrates Court, civil jurisdiction

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Weston Newton and 2 co-sponsors

Allows cities, towns, and regional districts to levy a surcharge on a single tax subject to fund transportation projects via voter-approved ballots with sunset.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3050

Summary: H.3050 – An Act relative to regional ballot initiatives

Overview

H.3050, introduced February 27, 2025, would create a new chapter (Chapter 64O) in the General Laws to authorize cities, towns, and regional districts to impose tax surcharges on a single subject of taxation to fund transportation projects. The bill establishes a process for local voter approval via ballot questions, sets rules for how surcharges are imposed and accounted for, and defines governance and project parameters. The measure is intended to enable local and regional ballot initiatives focused on transportation funding.

  • Status: Hearing rescheduled to October 17, 2025 (10:00 AM–10:30 AM in office A-2, with virtual hearing end time updated). Subsequent listed scheduling shows a 10/17/2025 hearing window (10:00 AM–01:00 PM).
  • Legislative actions: Referred to the Committee on Revenue (2/27/2025); Senate concurred (2/27/2025). Related measure: HD 1740 (the 2023-2024 version) replaces this bill in prior sessions.
  • Related bill: HD 1740 (replaces) and filed as House No. 3050 in this session.

Key Provisions

  • Chapter 64O creation: The bill adds a new framework titled “Local and Regional Transportation Ballot Initiatives.”
  • Definitions (selected):
    • “Single subject of taxation”: A single tax mechanism (e.g., sales tax, property tax, vehicle-related taxes, or other state-authorized local taxes) that could be affected by a surcharge.
    • “Transportation project”: Projects or programs related to public transit, transportation infrastructure, and related developments (transit, roads, bridges, bikeways, pedestrian paths, etc.).
    • “District agreement” and “Governing body”: Mechanisms for multijurisdictional districts and the leadership structures of cities/towns.
  • Tax surcharge authorization (Section 2):
    • Municipalities can impose a surcharge on a single subject of taxation, subject to state-law constraints.
    • A governing body must first approve the surcharge and the tax subject; the surcharge must be approved by voters via a ballot question.
    • Exemptions: Taxpayers with exemptions or abatements continue to be exempt from the surcharge; abatements reduce surcharge payments proportionally.
    • Revenue use: Surcharges must be dedicated to transportation projects and must be separately accounted for.
    • Timing and sunset: Ballot questions must include a sunset provision.
  • Ballot questions and voter approval (Section 3):
    • Upon governing body approval, the question is placed on the next municipal/state election ballot with a concise summary (including the single subject, rate, and period).
    • The ballot may list specific projects or a general description of eligible transportation projects.
    • If the measure passes, the surcharge takes effect as specified; if not, it does not.
    • Petition option: If the governing body does not approve, residents (at least 5% of registered voters) can petition to place acceptance on the ballot, subject to timelines (60 or 100 days pre-election windows, varying by municipal/state election).
  • Administrative timelines:
    • The bill outlines deadlines for filing petitions, notices, and certification of signatures, as well as the process for notification to place a question on the ballot.

Who Is Affected

  • Cities and towns, including those with Plan D/E charters, and districts formed under the chapter.
  • Local governing bodies (mayors, city managers, councils, boards of selectmen) and the local board of assessors or the department of revenue for tax determination.
  • Residents subject to the single subject of taxation chosen for the surcharge.
  • Transportation agencies and project planners who would benefit from dedicated funding.

Potential Impact

  • Enables local funding for transportation through voter-approved surcharges on a single tax subject.
  • Creates a transparent process with dedicated revenue streams for transportation projects.
  • Requires local consensus via ballot approval and includes built-in sunset provisions.
  • Introduces formal petition pathways if local leadership does not initiate the ballot question.

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to Revenue: February 27, 2025.
  • Hearing: Rescheduled to October 17, 2025 (A-2, with updated virtual end time; previously listed as 10:00 AM–10:30 AM).
  • Related action: Senate concurrence noted on the same date as referral; HD 1740 cited as related/replace in prior sessions.

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

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