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H 4074

Pastor James C. Woodley, 10th pastoral anniversary

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

The bill ensures veteran‑friendly, affordable housing projects face no discretionary zoning hurdles, easing as‑of‑right development for eligible units.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · H 4074

Summary — H.4074 (2025): An Act relative to the development of single family and multi‑family housing for veterans

Overview / Purpose

H.4074 would amend Massachusetts zoning law (G.L. c. 40A, §3) to limit the ability of cities and towns to bar or impose discretionary approvals on certain housing developments that (a) give a preference to veterans and (b) are subject to an affordable‑housing deed restriction. The change is aimed at making it easier to develop single‑family and multi‑family dwellings intended to serve veterans who qualify under the state statutory definition.

Key provision (text summary)

The bill adds the following paragraph to Section 3 of chapter 40A (as most recently amended by 2024 legislation):
- “No zoning ordinance or by‑law shall prohibit, unreasonably restrict or require a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval for the use of land or structures for single or multi‑family dwellings that have: (i) a preference for housing veterans, as defined in clause Forty‑third of section 7 of chapter 4; and (ii) an affordable housing deed restriction.”

In short: such veteran‑preference, deed‑restricted affordable dwellings must not be excluded or made subject to discretionary local permitting requirements.

Who or what is affected

  • Developers and non‑profits proposing single‑family or multi‑family housing projects that include both (A) a veteran preference per the cited state definition and (B) an affordable‑housing deed restriction — these projects would generally be allowed without a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval.
  • Municipalities and local zoning boards — the bill reduces local discretion to prohibit or require special permits for qualifying veteran‑preference affordable housing.
  • Veterans — the measure is intended to expand housing opportunities for veterans by streamlining development and permitting for qualifying projects.

Procedural status & timeline (as provided)

  • Filed/Filed on docket: 1/15/2025 (House Docket No. 1985)
  • Listed as introduced and adopted: 02/25/2025
  • Referred to Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government: 05/05/2025
  • Senate concurred: 05/08/2025
  • Hearing(s) scheduled (committee): 07/29/2025 — Gardner Auditorium (multiple schedule updates and end‑time revisions noted)
  • Related bill: HD 1985 (replaces)

Note: the public record excerpt includes multiple duplicate and slightly inconsistent date entries; the above follows the provided legislative actions.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Likely to accelerate development of targeted veteran housing by creating an as‑of‑right path (or at least removing special‑permit requirements) for qualifying projects.
  • Strengthens the role of state policy over local zoning in this limited area; municipalities may raise concerns about impacts on neighborhood character, density, infrastructure, parking, and municipal services.
  • The requirement that projects carry an “affordable housing deed restriction” narrows application to units reserved as affordable (rather than market‑rate veteran‑preferred housing).
  • The bill does not specify programmatic details (income thresholds, length of deed restriction, monitoring/enforcement) — those would be determined by other law, policy, or the project sponsors.

Note on unrelated material in the file

The legislative file also contains a ceremonial House resolution honoring Pastor James C. Woodley on his 10th pastoral anniversary (text of a South Carolina House resolution). That resolution is ceremonial and unrelated to the zoning amendment; its inclusion appears to be an administrative or docketing inconsistency in the provided materials.

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

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