Bill > H4750

This bill establishes a comprehensive capital investment program for public higher education institutions in Massachusetts, allocating $3.275 billion for infrastructure improvements, maintenance, and modernization. The funding covers multiple areas including deferred maintenance, campus decarbonization, laboratory upgrades, technology enhancements, and facility renovations across state universities, community colleges, and the University of Massachusetts system. Key provisions include creating a new Higher Education Property Disposition Fund to manage proceeds from property sales, establishing reporting requirements for capital expenditures, and authorizing the state treasurer to issue up to $3.275 billion in special obligation bonds to finance these projects. The bill also introduces new guidelines for disposing of surplus higher education property, mandates annual comprehensive reports on capital investments, and allows for more flexible project management by permitting the Massachusetts State College Building Authority to oversee smaller projects. Additionally, the legislation includes provisions to support minority-serving institutions and municipal colleges, and creates mechanisms to track and report on the outcomes of these capital investments, such as emissions reductions, maintenance addressed, and accessibility improvements.

House Committee on Ways and Means (House)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4750