MassachusettsH 5569194th General Court (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act relative to property tax classifications in the city of Watertown for fiscal year 2027 and subsequent fiscal years

Sponsored By: House Committee on Ways and Means

Signed by Governor

House Ways and Means

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Homeowner tax share rules in Watertown

Beginning in fiscal year 2027, Watertown uses a minimum residential factor of 50%. The Commissioner of Revenue must raise that factor, if needed, so no property class bears more than 175% of taxes relative to its full and fair cash valuation. This changes how the city splits the total property tax between homes and other property types each year. Homeowners may see bills go up or down based on local values and levy choices.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • House Committee on Ways and Means

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Jr. John J. Lawn

    Democratic • House

  • Steven Owens

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 150 • No: 0

House vote 7/8/2026

Passed to be engrossed

Yes: 150 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor, Chapter 157 of the Acts of 2026

    7/31/2026
  2. Enacted and laid before the Governor

    7/22/2026Senate
  3. Enacted

    7/22/2026House
  4. Read third (title changed) and passed to be engrossed

    7/20/2026Senate
  5. Taken out of the Orders of the Day

    7/20/2026Senate
  6. Read, rules suspended, read second and ordered to a third reading

    7/9/2026Senate
  7. Passed to be engrossed - 150 YEAS to 0 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 225)

    7/8/2026House
  8. Read third

    7/8/2026House
  9. Rules suspended

    7/8/2026House
  10. Ordered to a third reading

    7/8/2026House
  11. New draft of H4687

    7/8/2026House
  12. Pending new draft of H4687

    7/8/2026House
  13. Reported from the committee on House Ways and Means

    7/8/2026House

Bill Text

  • Chapter 157 of the Acts of 2026

    7/31/2026

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