(Boston) – On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a $561 million bond bill which includes key appropriations for Cohasset, Hingham, and Hull  residents. The bill strengthens key innovation sectors, supports small businesses, expands housing opportunities, and positions the Commonwealth for long-term economic growth. 

The bill includes the following appropriations filed by Representative Meschino:

  • $50,000 for investments in Cohasset Town Center.
  • $50,000 to support the investments of the Hull Beautification Committee to invite tourism into the main street economy.
  • $50,000 to steward investments in the Downtown Hingham Overlay District.

“This investment is crucial to economic development throughout our district,” said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “I was glad to see our local funding amendments included in the economic development bond bill. It gives authorization to support essential elements of our local economies.”

Among its most significant provisions, the legislation:

  • Addresses the state’s housing crisis by creating new tools to encourage housing production and adaptive reuse. 
  • Empowers tenants and strengthens fair housing protections by creating a local option allowing municipalities to adopt a tenant right of first refusal for the sale of multifamily residential properties.
  • Strengthens the Commonwealth’s fiscal resilience by authorizing the Commonwealth Federal Matching, Fiscal Resilience, and Debt Reduction Fund to help protect Massachusetts from reductions or delays in federal funding.
  • Reduces the cost of starting a business by lowering the filing fee for a new limited liability company (LLC) from $500 to $100, making it more affordable for entrepreneurs to launch new businesses.
  • Creates Massachusetts’ first comprehensive framework for micromobility devices by establishing safety standards and operational rules for personal transportation devices.

“This legislation will bolster the Commonwealth’s competitiveness by expanding the housing supply, by safeguarding critical institutions and jobs, by attracting new investments, and by positioning Massachusetts for long-term economic success,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “As the Commonwealth continues to navigate a housing crisis, the reforms in this legislation will help to increase housing production – a prerequisite for bringing costs down.”

The bill includes $561 million in capital authorizations, including: 

  • $100 million to strengthen the Commonwealth’s defense leadership and accelerate the development of cutting-edge national security solutions, also known as the SHIELD initiative.
  • $75 million to support AI tools, infrastructure, and emerging technologies, and position Massachusetts as a national leader in AI and innovation.
  • $50 million for grants to support remediation efforts at former state-owned buildings.
  • $25 million for capital grants to strengthen arts, culture, and the creative economy through investments in public spaces, historic districts, wayfinding, performance venues, and public art. 
  • $20 million for the veterans supported housing initiative program.  
  • $10 million for capital grants that support food science, strengthen sustainable food systems, and help grow AgTech businesses.

Having passed the House of Representatives 148-2, the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.