Bill > S1861

This bill proposes to establish a tax on sugary drinks in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Imposing an excise tax on distributors of sugary drinks, with a tiered system based on the amount of sugar in the beverage (no tax for drinks with 7.5 grams or less of sugar per 12 fluid ounces, $0.01 per ounce for drinks with more than 7.5 grams but less than 30 grams, and $0.02 per ounce for drinks with 30 grams or more). 2. Requiring distributors and retailers to report sales and remit the tax on a quarterly basis. 3. Establishing exemptions from the tax, such as for beverages sweetened solely with non-nutritive sweeteners, 100% natural fruit or vegetable juice, milk-based drinks, and water without added sugar. 4. Creating the Commonwealth's Health Promotion Fund to receive the revenue from the sugary drink tax, to be administered by the Department of Public Health and used for programs such as universal free school meals and providing healthy meals in early education settings. 5. Establishing the Commonwealth's Health Promotion Advisory Board to provide recommendations on the administration and allocation of the fund. The overall goal of the bill is to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks and use the tax revenue to support programs that address health disparities and preventable health conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1861