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S 2470

Provides for a tax abatement for electric energy storage equipment

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Parker

Excludes Chapter 115 veteran health-care reimbursements from gross household income under 760 CMR 6.05, protecting veterans' eligibility for means-tested programs.

ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
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Bill Summary · S 2470

Summary — S.2470 (2025): Excluding Chapter 115 Veteran Payments from Gross Household Income

Note on metadata: the packet included an inconsistent short title (referring to electric energy storage). The bill text and docket clearly address Chapter 115 veteran payments. This summary addresses the Chapter 115 measure.

Main purpose

S.2470 would expressly exclude from "gross household income" the payments made to veterans under Chapter 115 that reimburse out‑of‑pocket health care costs. The goal is to prevent those reimbursements from being treated as countable income for means‑tested calculations used by state programs and tax relief rules.

Key provisions

  • Adds payments received by veterans as reimbursement for out‑of‑pocket health care costs under Chapter 115 to the list of exclusions in 760 CMR 6.05(3) (“Exclusions from Gross Household Income”).
  • The exclusion is enacted “notwithstanding Section 5, Part 1, Chapter 115 … or any other general or special law to the contrary,” indicating a specific override to ensure these reimbursements are not treated as income.
  • Effective date: upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Massachusetts veterans who receive Chapter 115 reimbursements for health care expenses.
  • Secondary effects: households that include such veterans when applying for state or municipal means‑tested programs and property tax relief that rely on the Department of Revenue definition of “gross household income” (760 CMR 6.05).
  • Administrative actors: Department of Revenue and local tax assessors, who apply 760 CMR rules for exemptions/credits.

Likely impact

  • Eligibility: Removing Chapter 115 reimbursements from gross household income could increase veterans’ eligibility for income‑based benefits, exemptions, or tax relief (for example, property tax exemptions or other programs that use the DOR gross income definition).
  • Fiscal: Potential modest fiscal impact on municipal or state costs where income thresholds determine benefit eligibility; extent depends on how many veterans are affected and specific programs’ rules.
  • Administrative: DOR and local assessors would apply the exclusion when calculating household income; guidance or rule updates may be needed.

Legislative status & timeline (selected)

  • Filed/Introduced: January 17, 2025 (docket); Senate introduction July 28, 2025.
  • Referred to committees: Veterans and Federal Affairs; later to Real Property Taxation.
  • Senate actions: Advanced to third reading (April 10, 2025); Passed Senate and delivered to the House (May 28, 2025).
  • Hearings: hearing scheduling and rescheduling noted for October 28, 2025.
  • Sponsors: Sen. Paul R. Feeney (primary), Sen. Kevin S. Parker (primary), Sen. Steven G. Xiarhos (cosponsor).
  • Related bills/companions: H.R. 4868 / A.6198 (companions); prior‑session bills S.7595, S.3229, S.7342.

If enacted, S.2470 would make clear that Chapter 115 health‑care reimbursement payments are not to be counted as household income under 760 CMR 6.05, thereby protecting veterans from having those reimbursements affect eligibility for income‑tested programs and tax relief.

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

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