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Bill

S 2072

Relates to the timing of discovery, automatic discovery, certificates of discovery compliance, speedy trial limitations, and access to discovery materials; repealer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jessica Scarcella-Spanton

Cuts residency for veterans' property tax relief from 5 to 1 year under Clause 22H, section 5, chapter 59, expanding eligibility but potentially lowering local revenues.

REFERRED TO CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2072

Summary — S.2072 (2025) — “An Act incentivizing veterans to reside in the Commonwealth”

Status: Introduced in Senate; referred to committee (Codes/Revenue/Finance); committee hearing and subsequent referrals listed. (See “Legislative actions” below.)

Main purpose

The bill’s stated purpose is to incentivize veterans to reside in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by changing a residency requirement in an existing property-tax related provision (Clause Twenty-second H of section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws).

Key provision

  • The bill amends Clause Twenty-second H of section 5 of chapter 59 by replacing the phrase “5 consecutive years” with “1 year.”
    • In plain terms: where eligibility under that clause currently requires 5 consecutive years of residency, the bill would reduce that required period to 1 year.

The bill text as filed is brief and consists essentially of this single statutory amendment.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: veterans who seek the benefit provided under Clause Twenty-second H of section 5 of chapter 59 (the statutory provision being amended). Reducing the residency requirement from five years to one year would make more veterans eligible sooner.
  • Local governments / municipalities: depending on how Clause 22H currently operates (commonly property tax exemptions or abatements related to veterans), municipalities may experience reduced property-tax collections or changes in administration if more taxpayers become eligible.
  • State/local fiscal picture: the amendment could reduce local property-tax revenues to the extent the clause provides a tax reduction; the bill does not include offsetting funding or a fiscal note in the text provided.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Filed on 1/14/2025 (Senate Docket No. 604) and presented by Senator Michael F. Rush (petition lists Paul McMurtry).
  • Legislative actions in the docket show multiple referrals and a hearing scheduled for 06/24/2025; committee report favorably and referral to Senate Rules noted on 2025-11-20. Record also shows referrals to Codes, Revenue, and Finance committees at various points.
  • The bill text does not specify an effective date; unless otherwise stated, an act typically takes effect upon enactment or on a date provided in the final law.

Important caveats / discrepancies

  • Metadata in the materials provided contains inconsistent and clearly unrelated items (for example, an alternate title referencing discovery timing and a list of U.S. Senators as “sponsors”). The official Senate docket text and the short statutory amendment (filed by Michael F. Rush, Senate Docket No. 604) are the controlling elements for this summary.
  • Interested parties should consult the official Massachusetts Legislature website or the Committee docket for the authoritative bill text, fiscal notes, and current status.

Recommended next steps for readers

  • Verify the current bill text and any fiscal impact statements on the Massachusetts Legislature’s website (search S.2072 / Docket 604 / 2025-2026).
  • If you represent a municipality or veterans’ organization, review Clause Twenty-second H of section 5 of chapter 59 to determine the present benefit and estimate the local revenue and beneficiary impacts of reducing the residency requirement.

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

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