Sen. Sal DiDomenico, Representative Daniel Ryan, and Representative RoseLee Vincent, announced that the House and Senate passed a bill to provide necessary relief to municipalities, taxpayers, restaurants, and state authorities impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and State of Emergency declaration.
The bipartisan legislation extends the state income tax filing deadline for residents; addresses disruptions in municipal tax collections and permitting; and allows licensed restaurants to sell certain alcoholic beverages with food take-out and delivery orders, among other provisions.
“Now more than ever, our communities, taxpayers, and small businesses need extra support during these difficult times, said Senator DiDomenico. “I am proud of the action we have taken to provide relief for the hardworking people of our Commonwealth, and I am grateful to my colleagues in the Legislature, especially my partners in the Chelsea delegation, for ensuring that our residents and business community remain a top priority during this unprecedented crisis.”
‘I want to commend the House and Senate leadership for getting this bill to the Governor’s desk. Legislative bodies, by design, are accustomed to deliberation not immediacy,” said Representative Ryan. “We are working collectively to get relief to our local communities as quickly as possible while respecting the confines of our Constitution. The will to work and work collectively is heartening.”
“Through this trying time, I am proud that the House and Senate are working together to swiftly enact policies that will have an immediate direct positive impact on our residents, communities and local businesses, and I am happy to support this measure,” said Representative RoseLee Vincent. “I thank Speaker DeLeo for shepherding this through the House and to Senator DiDomenico and the members of the Senate for taking quick action on this bill which I believe will greatly benefit the people of Chelsea.”
The major provisions of the bill are as follows:
Tax Deadline Extension. The bill provides immediate relief to taxpayers and extends the 2019 state individual income tax filing and payment deadline from April 15 to July 15 due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The extension of the tax filing and payment deadline to July 15 is consistent with the federal government and provides additional flexibility to filers during this crisis.
Restaurant Service. The bill includes immediate economic relief to restaurants and other establishments that are licensed to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption to sell wine and beer with food takeout and delivery. This change would restore a crucial source of revenue to restaurants and other food establishments.
Municipal Governance. This legislation also immediately addresses several challenges affecting municipal functions and operations during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. The bill:
Allows extensions for property tax exemption and deferrals from April 1 to June 1, 2020;
Modifies the permitting process to ensure flexibility for applicants and status hearing processes;
Allows annual town meeting to be delayed beyond June 30, 2020;
Enables a town moderator or person designated as such to reschedule town meetings for up to 30 days, and to do so multiple times if needed;
Permits municipalities to utilize retired employees and lifts pension-related hour restrictions for employees who return to work as it relates to COVID-19 response; and
Prohibits essential services provided by the city or town from being terminated as a result of a missed or late payment.
The bill also makes several adjustments to the municipal budgeting process so that cities and towns can continue to meet their fiduciary responsibility and provide resources for their residents.
This legislation, which is the latest action by the Legislature to address the COVID-19 public health crisis and its effects on Massachusetts, was signed into law by Governor Baker on Friday.org