Bill > H4269

This bill provides supplemental funding and makes various changes related to the state's immediate recovery needs from the COVID-19 pandemic. Key provisions include: - Appropriating over $4.2 billion from the Transitional Escrow Fund and the federal COVID-19 response fund for a range of pandemic recovery initiatives, including support for healthcare providers, housing assistance, infrastructure improvements, workforce development, small business aid, and more. - Establishing the Broadband Innovation Fund to support efforts to close the digital divide, increase digital literacy, and empower communities to use digital tools. - Making changes to the administration of the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center to facilitate technology transfer from research institutions to industries. - Authorizing a reserve for the administration's offshore wind industry investment and port infrastructure development. - Providing tax deductions for certain COVID-19 relief payments and grants received by businesses and individuals. - Establishing the COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay Fund to provide direct financial support to eligible essential workers who worked in-person during the pandemic. - Reviving and extending the reporting deadlines for several special legislative commissions examining issues like the rural school district fiscal health, climate change adaptation, and cybersecurity. The bill aims to address a variety of pandemic recovery needs across the state through these appropriations and policy changes.

House Committee on Ways and Means (H)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4269