Bill > H4

This bill reforms the process for payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for state-owned land by modifying two sections of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 58. Specifically, the bill removes the term "reimbursement percentage" from Section 16 and completely rewrites Section 17 to establish a new method for calculating tax reimbursements to towns. Under the revised language, the state treasurer must reimburse towns for state-owned lands by calculating a payment based on the land's value, using a rate equal to the average annual tax rates from the three preceding years. The bill ensures that these PILOT payments will not be less than the amount paid in the previous year, with an exception for lands removed from the program. This change aims to provide a more consistent and transparent method for compensating municipalities for state-owned lands that are exempt from property taxes, helping to ensure that local communities are fairly compensated for potential lost tax revenue.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4