Bill
H 3329
Massachusetts H.3329 would overhaul Governor’s Council travel reimbursements; South Carolina would exempt diapers and toilet paper from state sales tax.
Status: Referred to Committee on Ways and Means (House)
Introduced: February 27, 2025 (prefiled 12/05/2024)
Primary sponsor: Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier
Cosponsors: Lindsay N. Sabadosa; Natalie M. Blais; Joanne M. Comerford; Mindy Domb; Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.; Bud L. Williams; Jacob R. Oliveira; Carlos González; Patricia A. Duffy
Note on contents: The materials provided include text from two distinct measures combined in the file. The Massachusetts H.3329 portion concerns reimbursement of traveling expenses for members of the Governor’s Council. Separately, a South Carolina statutory amendment proposing a sales tax exemption for diapers and toilet paper is also present. The summary below treats both items separately and clarifies which applies to which jurisdiction.
Purpose and intent
- To amend existing Massachusetts law relating to reimbursement of traveling expenses for members of the Governor’s Council.
Key provision(s)
- The bill proposes an amendment to Section 4 of Chapter 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws by striking out lines 6 through 15 of that section.
What the bill would change / effect
- The bill removes the specific text identified in Section 4, Chapter 6 (lines 6–15). Because the exact wording being removed is not included in the provided packet, the precise legal effect (e.g., elimination, modification, or replacement of expense reimbursement language) cannot be determined from the available excerpt alone.
- The change would directly affect the statutory rules governing how Governor’s Council members are reimbursed for travel—potentially altering eligibility, rates, or procedure for reimbursement.
Who is affected
- Members of the Massachusetts Governor’s Council.
- State administrative or accounting offices that process reimbursements.
- Potential fiscal impact on the state budget (increase or decrease depending on the content removed/changed).
Procedural timeline / status (as provided)
- Prefiled: 12/05/2024
- Introduced and read first time: 01/14/2025
- Referred to Committee on Ways and Means: 01/14/2025 (also noted 02/27/2025 referral to State Administration and Regulatory Oversight)
- Senate concurred: 02/27/2025
- Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Ways and Means: 11/12/2025
- Hearing scheduled (House Ways & Means): 09/09/2025 (10:00 AM–1:00 PM; room A-1 and virtual)
Notes / recommended follow-up
- Obtain the full current text of Section 4, Chapter 6 and the redlined amendment to see the removed language and determine concrete effects.
- Review the bill’s fiscal note for estimated cost or savings.
- Check committee hearing materials and any proposed replacement language if the bill removes but does not replace text.
Purpose and intent
- To add diapers and toilet paper to the list of items exempt from South Carolina state sales tax.
Key provision(s)
- Amendment to S.C. Code §12-36-2120 by adding a new exemption listing:
- (85) diapers and toilet paper.
Effective date
- The act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to tax years beginning after 2024.
Who is affected
- Consumers in South Carolina purchasing diapers and toilet paper (lower out-of-pocket cost).
- Retailers, who would cease collecting sales tax on these items and may have to update point-of-sale systems.
- State revenue — likely reduced sales tax receipts; the magnitude would depend on consumption and price levels.
Potential impacts
- Financial relief for households (particularly low-income families and caregivers of infants, toddlers, or adults needing incontinence supplies).
- Revenue reduction for the state; a fiscal note would quantify the expected loss.
- Administrative updates for retailers and Department of Revenue guidance required for implementation.
If you’d like, I can:
- Locate and quote the current Section 4, Chapter 6 text to identify exactly what lines 6–15 say, or
- Find the official Massachusetts bill page and fiscal note, or
- Provide an estimate of South Carolina revenue impact using sales data if you want a rough fiscal analysis.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
