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S 2486

Relates to the construction of geothermal energy generation facilities

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Parker

Expands Massachusetts veterans' annuity eligibility to include surviving spouses receiving federal VA Dependent Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
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Bill Summary · S 2486

Summary — S.2486 (Massachusetts)

Title shown in docket: Relates to the construction of geothermal energy generation facilities
Bill text/title presented: An Act relative to veteran annuities for surviving spouses

Note on source materials: The docket contains inconsistent metadata (a geothermal-related title and a sponsors list that appears to include U.S. Senators) but the legislative text filed with the Massachusetts Senate (Senate No. 2486 / print 2486A) clearly amends Chapter 115 (veterans’ benefits). This summary follows the text of the Massachusetts bill as filed.

Main purpose

To expand state veterans’ annuity eligibility by explicitly including surviving spouses who receive Dependent Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Key provision

  • Amends Section 6B of Chapter 115 of the Massachusetts General Laws by inserting, after the phrase “insurrection or combat,” the following language:
    • “or surviving spouse in receipt of Dependent Indemnity Compensation as awarded by the Veterans Administration”.
  • Effect: surviving spouses who are receiving federal DIC would be specifically recognized under Section 6B for the purposes of any annuity or related state treatment that Section 6B provides.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: surviving spouses of veterans who are recipients of federal DIC (a VA benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or from service-connected disabilities).
  • State agencies: the Massachusetts agency that administers Chapter 115 benefits (veterans’ services) would need to update eligibility determinations, forms, and procedures.
  • Fiscal impact: the amendment could increase state expenditures or change eligibility calculations if surviving spouses who previously were excluded become eligible for a state annuity or other benefit under Section 6B. The bill text does not include a fiscal note or specific dollar amounts.

Procedural / timeline status (as recorded)

  • Filed in Senate (Senate Docket No. 524 / Filed 1/13/2025; presented 1/22/2025 by Sen. Michael F. Rush).
  • Referred to (and moved among) committees: Energy and Telecommunications; Veterans and Federal Affairs; subsequently reported and committed to Finance (recorded 2025-04-28).
  • Legislative actions recorded through 2025 include reading and committee referrals; hearings scheduled/updated for October 2025.
  • Current listed status: REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE.

Related/administrative notes

  • Related docket entries: SD 524 (replaces) and prior-session bill S 9006.
  • The bill text is concise and narrowly targeted; no implementation dates, benefit amounts, or administrative procedures are provided.
  • A fiscal analysis from the Executive Office for Administration & Finance or the state veterans’ agency would be needed to estimate the budgetary impact and how many surviving spouses would gain eligibility.

If you want, I can:
- Draft a one-paragraph fiscal impact checklist to submit to the Finance committee; or
- Prepare suggested statutory language for implementing regulations and eligibility verification (what documentation of DIC to require).

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

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