MassachusettsH 4225194th General Court (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act authorizing the town of Marblehead to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption

Sponsored By: Brendan P. Crighton (Democratic), Jennifer Balinsky Armini (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

RevenueHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Marblehead senior property tax break

The law creates a means-tested property tax exemption for your Marblehead home. The amount equals your full property tax plus 50% of your yearly water and sewer bill, minus 10% of household income (or a different percent the select board sets), last year’s circuit breaker credit, and other property tax relief. You must own and live in the home, be 65+ if single (or joint owners 60+ with one 65+), have owned and lived in Marblehead for 10 straight years, and your home’s value must be at or below last year’s town average for a single-family home. You must file for the circuit breaker credit if eligible, meet any asset limits set by local rules, and get approval from the board of assessors. The exemption only applies to your primary home, including condos.

Marblehead cap and yearly filing

The select board sets a dollar cap on this program each year. No single exemption can be larger than that cap. If total approved exemptions would go over the cap, everyone’s benefit is cut proportionally. You must apply every year on the assessor’s form and meet the filing deadline. The select board can issue rules after a public hearing, and the law is in effect now.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 9 • No: 0

committee vote • 1/14/2026

Committee Favorable: Favorable

Yes: 9 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 67 of the Acts of 2026
5/29/2026
Enacted and laid before the Governor
4/23/2026Senate
Enacted
4/23/2026House
Read third and passed to be engrossed
4/21/2026Senate
Taken out of the Orders of the Day
4/21/2026Senate
Read second and ordered to a third reading
4/15/2026Senate
Read; and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session
4/1/2026Senate
Read third and passed to be engrossed
3/30/2026House
Read second and ordered to a third reading
2/9/2026House
Rules suspended
2/9/2026House
Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
2/9/2026House
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
1/15/2026House
Hearing scheduled for 11/07/2025 from 10:00 AM-02:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
10/28/2025legislature
Hearing canceled – new hearing TBD
7/14/2025legislature
Senate concurred
6/18/2025Senate
Referred to the committee on Revenue
6/16/2025House

Bill Text

Chapter 67 of the Acts of 2026
5/29/2026
PDF

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