MassachusettsH 4227194th General Court (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

18 provisions identified: 16 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Loan help to become a teacher

The state funds scholarships and loan repayment to grow the educator workforce. Loan repayment provides up to $7,500 per eligible person. You must have finished a bachelor’s at a Massachusetts public college after January 1, 2020, have qualifying education debt, and work four years in a qualifying school job. Programs prioritize diverse educators and high-need districts. Authority ends June 30, 2028.

Major funding to stabilize the MBTA

The MBTA receives $300 million to refill its deficiency fund. It must give 30 days’ notice before withdrawals and submit a written fund policy by June 30, 2025. The state also provides $175 million for an MBTA workforce and safety reserve and $40 million for physical infrastructure. Another $36 million goes to workforce and safety work tied to federal safety findings, with consultation and monthly spending reports to lawmakers.

More funding for special education

The law sets a $190.25 million reserve to reimburse special education instruction and transportation costs from fiscal year 2025, paid in fiscal year 2026. At least $250,000 funds an Inspector General review of school transportation with recommendations due February 2, 2026. It also adds $58 million to the Special Education Circuit Breaker. Funds end June 30, 2028.

Upgrades and endowment boosts at colleges

Public colleges receive $115 million to reduce deferred maintenance, with named campus projects like $10 million for a nursing simulation lab at UMass Amherst. The state also provides $10 million for a Department of Higher Education endowment match and $10 million for UMass endowment matching. A report on awards is due by December 1, 2026. Authority ends June 30, 2028.

More support for child care and staff

The law provides $45.5 million to improve early education and care. At least $20 million raises provider reimbursement rates in the year ending June 30, 2026. At least $7.5 million funds loan forgiveness for early education and care educators. At least $8 million gives grants to providers for personal childcare costs. Funds may be moved to the Operational Grant Fund for one-time improvement projects. Authority ends June 30, 2028.

Grants to upgrade regional transit

Regional transit authorities can get $25 million for workforce and training and $25 million for capital upgrades. Funds can buy buses, including electric, add charging infrastructure, and improve stations for ADA access. MassDOT must report who got funds and how they were used by March 1–2, 2026.

More seats in career technical education

The state creates a $100 million grant program to expand CTE capacity. Up to $35 million can go to comprehensive high schools. At least $15 million funds a pilot for annex buildings. The program prioritizes cutting waitlists, meeting workforce needs, and equitable access. Authority ends June 30, 2028.

Grants for culverts and small bridges

The state provides $16.4555 million for culvert and small bridge projects under 20 feet. Money can pay for design, permitting, and climate resilience work. Towns not meeting the state multifamily zoning rule under chapter 40A, section 3A cannot get these funds. MassDOT must report projects by March 30, 2026.

Lower MBTA fares for low‑income riders

The state provides $20 million to lower MBTA fares for low‑income riders. You must qualify under the MBTA’s low‑income fare rules to get the discount. This is a one‑time fund for affordability programs.

More funding for ferries and ports

The state funds water transportation upgrades. At least $8 million buys ferries to expand commuter service. At least $2 million supports pier and dock work in Barnstable, Bristol, Nantucket, and Dukes counties. Winthrop gets $300,000 for ferry terminal upgrades and $200,000 for the Shirley Street terminal. East Boston gets $1.5 million to plan and build a vessel dock. MassDOT favors cities and towns taking steps to create new housing.

One‑time funding for local transport projects

The law funds many one‑time, named transportation projects across the state. Examples include at least $25 million to Quincy for a downtown parking garage and at least $300,000 for I‑93 mitigation in Medford. Projects include sidewalks, bus services, sound mitigation, and culvert upgrades. It also requires MBTA to provide RIDE services to North Reading.

Pilot to fix unpaved town roads

The state sets a $7 million pilot for municipalities to repair public unpaved roads. Grants can fund grading, drainage, signage, guardrails, and maintenance equipment. Grants cannot pay to pave roads, build new roads, culverts, or unrelated landscaping. MassDOT must report recipients by December 30, 2025.

Faster access to adult English classes

The state provides $10 million to cut ESOL waitlists. DESE runs the grants with the Workforce Skills Cabinet. Priority goes to job-focused English programs that prepare workers for in-demand jobs. Authority ends June 30, 2028.

Grants for schools, nonprofits, and museum

The state funds many one‑time local education and cultural projects. DESE will deliver named grants, such as at least $300,000 for Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute and at least $150,000 for Northeast Arc. Green Schoolworks receives $10 million. The Holocaust Legacy Foundation receives $10 million to build the Boston Holocaust Museum, including exhibits, accessibility, security, and education.

Help for regional school transportation

The state sets aside $8.1325 million to help regional school districts pay for student transportation. This one‑time reserve supports buses and vans for regional systems and eases district budgets. Funds end June 30, 2028.

High‑dosage reading help in K–3

The law provides $25.561 million for early literacy tutoring in grades K–3. Schools must use an evidence‑based reading model. Grade 1 students below benchmark are the top priority. At least $561,000 buys district resources like audio and accessible materials. Authority ends June 30, 2028.

Free monthly books for young kids

The state runs the Imagination Library of Massachusetts with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Registered children from birth to age five get one free, age-appropriate book mailed each month. The program depends on approved funding. Local affiliates must cover up to 50% of costs, and the state can reimburse part of books and mailing. The secretary manages a special fund that can take donations and spend without more approvals. The department promotes enrollment, sets rules, and must protect family privacy.

Moves surtax money between state funds

Surtax revenue from fiscal year 2024 that was certified after July 20, 2024 moves from the Student Opportunity Act Investment Fund to the Education and Transportation Innovation and Capital Fund. The transfer must occur within 30 days after this law takes effect. This shifts money between funds and does not change your taxes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Supplemental Budget
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 298 • No: 7

House vote • 6/18/2025

Committee of conference report accepted

Yes: 150 • No: 3