Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts S2023: An Act to promote urban agriculture and horticulture
Status: In committee, July 9, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following clause:- Fifty-ninth. Up to 100 percent of the assessed value of real estate in agricultural, horticultural or agricultural and horticultural use, as those terms are defined in sections 1 and 2 of chapter 61A, provided that the real estate or portion thereof in agricultural, horticultural or agricultural and horticultural use is less than 2 acres in area; provided further, that gross sales of agricultural, horticultural or agricultural and horticultural products resulting from such uses together total not less than $500 in the previous year. The exemption provided in this clause shall apply only to the portion of real estate in agricultural, horticultural or agricultural and horticultural use. This clause shall take effect in any city or town upon acceptance of this section; provided, that such city or town has a population of at least 50,000 inhabitants or meets the definition of a gateway municipality under section 3A of chapter 23A. The legislative body of any city or town that accepts this clause shall establish and may thereafter modify the percentage of the assessed value exempt from taxation and may determine whether rooftop and container farm operations shall be eligible for said exemption.
Sponsors
- Kennedy, Edward J. (D, First Middlesex) · primary sponsor
- James Eldridge (D, Middlesex and Worcester)
- Michael Moore (D, Second Worcester)
Latest actions
- : Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
- : Reporting date extended to Thursday June 25, 2026
- : Hearing scheduled for 07/15/2025 from 10:00 AM-01:00 PM in A-1
- : House concurred
- : Referred to the committee on Revenue
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Revenue (June 15, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is S2023?
- S2023 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act to promote urban agriculture and horticulture.
- What is the status of S2023?
- In committee as of July 9, 2026. Latest action: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means (July 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored S2023?
- Kennedy, Edward J. (D, First Middlesex), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S2023?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2023
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.