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S 535

Removes the deadly weapon or dangerous instrument requirement from aggravated assault upon a police officer or peace officer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jack Martins and 1 co-sponsor

Requires the Commonwealth to reimburse cities/towns for the full costs of mandated early voting, pay annually by July 1, with an optional Early Voting Reimbursement Fund.

REFERRED TO CODES
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Bill Summary · S 535

Summary — S.535 (2025): "An Act to fairly fund early voting"

Note: the bill text and metadata provided include some conflicting entries (see “Notes” below). This summary relies on the bill text filed in the Massachusetts Senate (Senate Docket No. 55 / Senate No. 535) titled “An Act to fairly fund early voting.”

Purpose

To require the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to fully reimburse cities and towns for the costs they incur to implement and operate mandated early voting procedures, and to set procedures and timing for those reimbursements.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 25B of Chapter 54 of the General Laws by adding a new subsection (r) that:
    • Requires the Commonwealth to "reimburse each city and town to the full extent of the amounts expended for mandated early voting procedures and operations."
    • Directs the State Treasurer to annually pay the reimbursed sums to municipalities on or before July 1 of the year following the election for which reimbursement is sought.
    • Specifies that reimbursements must be approved by the Secretary of the Commonwealth pursuant to a separate implementing provision (see §2).
    • Permits each city or town to establish an "Early Voting Reimbursement Fund" to receive Commonwealth reimbursements; funds may be carried forward for one fiscal year.
  • Amends subsection (o) of Section 25B to add language that the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s reimbursement process will include "the means to seek, process and approve reimbursement subject to subsection (r)."

Who is affected

  • Cities and towns (municipal election officials): entitled to full reimbursement for mandated early voting-related expenditures.
  • Commonwealth fiscal officers: the Secretary of the Commonwealth administers approval of reimbursements; the State Treasurer is responsible for annual payment.
  • Voters: indirect effect—intended to reduce municipal financial barriers to providing early voting access.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Fiscal: shifts the full direct cost of mandated early voting procedures from municipal budgets to the Commonwealth. The bill does not specify dollar amounts or caps; reimbursements are for "the full extent" of documented expenditures and are subject to Secretary approval.
  • Administrative: requires municipalities to document and submit reimbursement requests; allows municipalities to hold reimbursements in a designated fund and carry them forward one fiscal year.

Legislative status and timeline (as provided)

  • Filed: January 7, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 55 / Senate No. 535)
  • Introduced in Senate: February 12, 2025; read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Referred earlier to Committee on Election Laws: February 27, 2025.
  • Hearing scheduled: June 17, 2025.
  • Reported favorably by committee and referred to Senate Ways and Means: July 31, 2025.
  • Additional entries list referrals to "CODES" (Jan 8) and a note that the House concurred (Feb 27); these entries appear inconsistent—see Notes.

Sponsors and related measures

  • Petitioners listed in the filed bill: Bruce E. Tarr, Bradley H. Jones, Jr., Jason M. Lewis, Peter J. Durant.
  • Other sponsor metadata supplied separately lists: Jim Banks (primary), Jack M. Martins (primary), Steve Rhoads (cosponsor) — likely inconsistent with the Massachusetts filing.
  • Related bills referenced: HR 2282 (companion), SD 55 (replaces), S 8856 (prior session).

Notes and recommended next steps

  • There are inconsistencies between the bill title in the initial metadata (referring to aggravated assault changes) and the filed bill text (early voting reimbursement). This summary follows the filed bill text regarding early voting funding.
  • Sponsor lists and some legislative-action entries appear inconsistent; verify current official status and sponsors on the Massachusetts Legislature website or the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s bill docket for the authoritative record.

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

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