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H 1279

Resolve creating a special commission on affordable housing insurance

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Vanna Howard and 2 co-sponsors

Establishes a 10-member commission to study and draft a framework for insurance rates on affordable-housing and voucher-based properties, due 12/31/2026.

Committee recommended ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 1279

Summary: House Bill H 1279 – Resolve creating a special commission on affordable housing insurance

Overview

  • Bill: H 1279
  • Title: Resolve creating a special commission on affordable housing insurance
  • Purpose: Establish a special commission to develop a statutory and regulatory framework addressing how insurance companies price and set rates for two categories of properties:
    • Properties with affordability restrictions (e.g., affordable housing utilized under housing programs)
    • Properties where tenants use vouchers to pay part or all of their rent
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Sponsor: Representative Steven Owens (Watertown)
  • Hearing: Scheduled for September 15, 2025, 10:30 AM–1:00 PM, in hearing room A-1
  • Status: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services; Senate concurrence noted in docket
  • Legislative period: One Hundred Ninety-Fourth General Court (2025–2026)

Purpose and Intent

  • To create a dedicated body that studies and recommends a framework—both statutory and regulatory—for how insurance premiums and rates are set for certain housing-related properties.
  • Specifically targets:
    • Properties with affordability covenants or restrictions
    • Properties where tenants use rental vouchers (e.g., housing choice vouchers)

Key Provisions

  • Establishment of a special commission (10 members total) to develop a framework for insurance rate setting related to:
    • Affordable housing properties
    • Properties with voucher-based rent payments
  • Required outputs: The commission must report its findings and any proposed legislation to:
    • House Ways and Means Committee
    • Senate Ways and Means Committee
    • Joint Committee on Financial Services
    • Joint Committee on Housing
  • Deadline for report: December 31, 2026

Commission Composition

  • 10 members, including:
    • 1 member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker
    • 1 member of the Senate appointed by the Senate President
    • The Commissioner of Insurance (or designee) as chair
    • The Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (or designee)
    • The Attorney General (or designee)
    • 1 representative from the Citizens' Housing and Planning Association
    • 1 representative from the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations
    • 1 representative from the Builders of Color Coalition
    • 1 representative from the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (Massachusetts chapter)
    • 1 representative from an insurance trade association

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • File/date: Filed January 17, 2025 (House Docket No. 3370)
  • Initial action: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services (February 27, 2025)
  • Senate action: Senate concurrence indicated in related docket
  • Hearing: Public hearing scheduled for September 15, 2025, in Room A-1
  • Reporting deadline: December 31, 2026
  • Related/Replacement bill: HD 3370 (House Docket) is referenced as a replacement in related materials

Potential Impact

  • Could influence insurance premium structures for affordable housing developments and voucher-assisted properties.
  • May lead to legislative or regulatory changes aimed at stabilizing or guiding insurance rates for these property types.
  • Involves collaboration across housing, financial services, and consumer protection spheres, with input from affordable housing advocates, development organizations, construction groups, and insurance industry stakeholders.

Related Information

  • Related Bill: HD 3370 (replaces) House petition No. 1279
  • Districts of sponsors/participants include various Massachusetts regions such as 29th Middlesex, 17th Middlesex, and 15th Suffolk

This bill does not itself enact rate changes; it creates a commission to study and recommend a framework, with findings due by end of 2026.

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

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