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MassachusettsH 4293194th General Court (2025-2026)House

An Act establishing an economic development special revenue account for the town of Hopkinton

Sponsored By: James C. Arena-DeRosa (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Municipalities and Regional GovernmentHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Meals tax funds Hopkinton business growth

The law creates the Economic Development Special Revenue Fund in Hopkinton’s treasury. The fund pays for projects that grow the local economy, attract and keep businesses, and improve infrastructure. Beginning July 1, 2026, the town’s local meals tax is credited to this fund each fiscal year. Money can be spent only after a majority vote of the town meeting.

How the town can end the fund

If the town revokes the local meals tax by majority vote, it must then vote by two‑thirds on ending the fund. If two‑thirds vote to end it, unspent and uncommitted money moves to the general fund on the first day of the calendar quarter after 30 days. If the fund is not ended, it continues, and those balances remain subject to a majority appropriation. The town may also close the fund anytime by a two‑thirds vote; then balances move immediately to the general fund, and future meals‑tax receipts go to the general fund.

Yearly reports and interest to general fund

The treasurer must post a public report on the fund by October 1 each year until the fund ends. The report lists revenues and receipts, grants, loans and their recipients, and the year‑end balance. Any interest earned on the fund’s money goes to the town’s general fund, not the development fund. The law does not change what Hopkinton gets from the Local Aid Fund.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • James C. Arena-DeRosa

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 11 • No: 0

committee vote • 7/31/2025

Committee Favorable: Ought to Pass

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor, Chapter 191 of the Acts of 2026

    8/21/2026

  2. Enacted and laid before the Governor

    8/13/2026Senate

  3. Enacted

    8/13/2026House

  4. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    8/10/2026Senate

  5. Taken out of the Orders of the Day

    8/10/2026Senate

  6. Read, rules suspended, read second and ordered to a third reading

    10/23/2025Senate

  7. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    10/20/2025House

  8. Read second and ordered to a third reading

    9/8/2025House

  9. Rules suspended

    9/8/2025House

  10. Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting

    9/8/2025House

  11. Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

    8/14/2025House

  12. Hearing rescheduled to 07/29/2025 from 01:00 PM-06:05 PM in Gardner Auditorium and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>

    7/29/2025legislature

  13. Senate concurred

    7/21/2025Senate

  14. Referred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

    7/17/2025House

Bill Text

  • Chapter 191 of the Acts of 2026

    8/21/2026

    PDF

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