Massachusetts requires fiscal notes on bills imposing unfunded mandates on cities and towns

Original title: An Act relative to protecting municipalities from unfunded mandates

Last action · February 12, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5065Sponsors: Hannah Kane and 4 others

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Floor Vote

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What This Bill Would Do

Legislation requires joint committees and ways and means committees to attach a or study explaining costs before giving a to any bill that imposes an on a city or town. The General Court is prohibited from enacting legislation with municipal costs until an satisfying that cost is provided.

Background

Hannah Kane and James Arciero are state representatives who sponsored the petition for H.2297 in the 194th session of the General Court. context
Unfunded mandates occur when state governments pass laws requiring local municipalities to perform duties or provide services without allocating state funds to cover the expenses. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

municipal governments

Municipal governments will receive state fiscal notes detailing costs and must have their mandated expenses covered by appropriations before bills can be enacted.

Directly affected

General Court

Legislative committees must complete fiscal studies before favorable reporting, and the legislature as a whole must fund identified municipal costs prior to enacting relevant bills.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggers the requirement for a fiscal note under this bill?

A is required when a bill being considered by the General Court contains an that imposes a cost on a city or town.

Can the legislature pass a bill with municipal costs without funding them?

No, the General Court must refrain from enacting legislation with municipal costs until an satisfying those costs is provided.

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

4 actions

Feb 12, 2026House
Accompanied a study order, see H5065
Jul 29, 2025Joint
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>
Feb 27, 2025Senate
Senate concurred
Feb 27, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Version history

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