Massachusetts H821: An Act promoting political participation

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:

SECTION 1. Section 150 of chapter 149 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “chapter 151”, in line 23, the following words:- or chapter 180B. SECTION 2. Section 150A of said chapter 149, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “check-off”, in line 4, the following words:- , voluntary contributions to social welfare organizations or political action committees pursuant to chapter 180B. SECTION 3. Section 8 of chapter 154 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “plan,”, in line 15, the following words:- or voluntary contributions to social welfare organizations or candidate or other political committees pursuant to chapter 180B, SECTION 4. The General Laws are hereby amended by adding after chapter 180A the following chapter:- CHAPTER 180B: PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS TO PROMOTE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION THROUGH VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO NOT-FOR-PROFIT SOCIAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS AND CANDIDATE OR OTHER POLITICAL COMMITTEES Section 1. Findings and public policy. The general court hereby finds that many low-income residents of Massachusetts face substantial obstacles to participating fully in the public and political life of their communities; that financial barriers, including lack of access to credit cards and banking services, often prevent these residents from contributing financially to not-for-profit …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Daniel Donahue (D, 16th Worcester) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. April 2, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5311 (under House Rule 27)
2. February 26, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see S2972
3. October 10, 2025: Hearing scheduled for 10/21/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in 222
4. February 27, 2025: Senate concurred
5. February 27, 2025: Referred to the committee on Election Laws
6. : Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

Common questions

What is H821?

H821 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act promoting political participation.

What is the status of H821?

Failed as of April 2, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5311 (under House Rule 27) (April 2, 2026).

Who sponsored H821?

Daniel Donahue (D, 16th Worcester).

Where is the official record for H821?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H821