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S 2502

Provides for the deduction of student loan interest from federal adjusted gross income

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 1 co-sponsor

Remarriage is no longer a disqualifying condition; Gold Star Spouses remain eligible for the veteran annuity even if they remarry.

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2502

Summary — S 2502 (Senate No. 2502)

An Act ensuring annuity eligibility for Gold Star Spouses

Overview / Purpose

This bill amends Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 115, section 6B to ensure that surviving spouses of veterans (commonly referred to as “Gold Star Spouses” in the bill text) remain eligible for a statutory annuity even if they remarry. The stated intent is to remove remarriage as a disqualifying condition for the annuity benefit.

Key provision

  • Amends Section 6B of chapter 115 by striking, in paragraph 3, the phrase:
    • “, provided, that the surviving spouse does not remarry,”
  • Effect: removes remarriage as a condition that terminates or disqualifies a surviving spouse from receiving the annuity provided under section 6B.

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: surviving spouses of deceased veterans who are eligible for annuity payments under G.L. c.115, §6B — commonly described in the bill as “Gold Star Spouses.”
  • Secondary effects: Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services and other state administrative agencies that manage veteran-related benefits (eligibility determinations, payments, recordkeeping).

Practical impact

  • Eligibility: Surviving spouses who previously lost annuity eligibility upon remarriage would remain eligible and continue to receive payments.
  • Fiscal: Likely increases state expenditures for the annuity program over time because some additional recipients (those who remarry) would retain benefits. No dollar amounts or estimated fiscal impact are included in the bill text; an actuarial or budget estimate would be needed to quantify costs.
  • Administrative: Agencies will need to update eligibility rules, forms, guidance, and potentially appeals procedures; they may also need to track beneficiaries differently if remarriage is no longer relevant to eligibility.

Legislative status and timeline (as provided)

  • Filed (Senate Docket): 01/15/2025 (Senate No. 2502)
  • Introduced / Read twice and referred to Committee on the Judiciary: 07/29/2025 (per provided actions)
  • Referred to Veterans and Federal Affairs: 02/27/2025 (also shown as “House concurred” same day)
  • Referred to Budget and Revenue: 01/21/2025 (appears twice in the record)
  • Reported and committed to Finance: 05/28/2025 (status shown as REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE)
  • Hearing scheduled / rescheduled: hearings listed for 10/28/2025 (times and virtual details noted)

Note: the provided timeline contains multiple, partially overlapping dates and committee referrals. The immediate status shown in the materials is “REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE” (05/28/2025).

Notes, uncertainties, and recommended verifications

  • Metadata inconsistencies: The top-level title and some sponsor data in your materials (references to a student loan interest deduction and to U.S. Senators) appear unrelated to the bill text, which concerns Massachusetts statute G.L. c.115 and Gold Star Spouses. Sponsors listed (e.g., John C. Velis) match the MA bill text, but other sponsor entries do not fit a state bill. Confirm the correct bill metadata (title, sponsors, and chamber) before relying on this summary for formal use.
  • Fiscal impact: The text does not include cost estimates. For budgeting decisions, request a fiscal note from the Executive Office for Administration and Finance or the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.
  • Legal scope: The bill changes only the specified phrase in §6B; it does not, as written, alter other eligibility criteria, benefit amounts, or definitions. Confirm whether implementing regulations or further statutory adjustments are needed.

If you want, I can:
- Draft a suggested fiscal-note request to the relevant state agency, or
- Prepare a short briefing for stakeholders (veteran service organizations, budget staff) outlining likely numbers of affected recipients and administrative steps.

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

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