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Bill

HB 1654

requiring a property owner to pay all taxes or charges on their property prior to being issued certain building or occupancy permits.

2026 Regular Session

HB 1654 requires property owners to pay all property taxes before receiving building or occupancy permits, tightening municipal tax enforcement but potentially blocking repairs and development.

Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 51
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Bill Summary · HB 1654

Legislative bill overview

HB 1654 would require property owners to pay all outstanding property taxes and charges before receiving building or occupancy permits from municipalities. This creates a financial clearance mechanism tied to the permitting process.

Why is this important

The bill addresses tax collection enforcement by leveraging the permitting process as leverage to ensure tax compliance. This could increase municipal revenue recovery but also affects property owners' ability to develop, renovate, or occupy their properties.

Potential points of contention

  • Disproportionate impact on struggling property owners: Linking permits to tax payment may prevent owners in financial difficulty from making necessary repairs, potentially worsening property conditions in lower-income areas
  • Complications for legitimate disputes: Property owners disputing tax assessments could be blocked from permits even while their challenge is ongoing
  • Economic barrier to development: Requiring full tax clearance before permits could slow renovation and development projects, particularly affecting affordable housing initiatives and small property improvements

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

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