FY25 supplemental budget bill includes EMS funding, tax title changes

Gov. Maura Healey filed a $756 million supplemental budget bill on April 2 that would make investments and address account deficiencies, while also making technical corrections of note to municipalities.

The bill (H. 4003) includes $10 million for a competitive grant program to support local and regional emergency medical service providers by reimbursing municipalities for extraordinary costs incurred to provide services, with a formula to be determined by the Department of Public Health.

An outside policy section would make technical corrections to the tax title process changes that were included in the fiscal 2025 budget. The changes would simplify the process to sell or auction a foreclosed property, and would clarify there is only a prospective impact from the recently reduced interest rate on the original sum owed.

Another outside section would increase construction procurement thresholds under Chapter 149 (Building Construction) and Chapter 30 (Public Works Construction).

Additional proposed spending in the bill for fiscal 2025 includes:
• $189.6 million for child care financial assistance programs
• $60 million for Executive Office of Aging and Independence’s direct care services, including home care services
• $42.9 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program
• $15.5 million for the replacement of electronic benefits transfer cards with more secure cards
• $240 million for deficient costs under the Group Insurance Commission
• $134.5 million for supplemental payments to safety net hospitals through the Medical Assistance Trust Fund
• $15 million for grants and marketing supports related to the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution
• $5.8 million for annuity payments to veterans, recently increased under the HERO Act
• $4.2 million for the State Police Crime Lab to ensure the timely review of evidence

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.