Massachusetts H5537: An Act authorizing an increase in the limit of a local excise tax that the city of Salem may impose for the purpose of funding school and municipal facilities

What the bill says

From the introduced text, June 25, 2026:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the six per cent limit on the amount of local excise tax that a municipality other than the City of Boston may impose on the transfer of occupancy of any room in a bed and breakfast establishment, hotel, lodging house, or motel contained in chapter 64G, section 3A of the General Laws, or any other general or special law to the contrary, the City of Salem is hereby authorized to impose a local excise tax upon such transactions at a rate not to exceed 8.75 per cent. SECTION 2. The additional revenue attributable to the 2.75 percentage point increase authorized by section 1, representing the difference between a local excise tax imposed at the rate of 6 per cent and a local excise tax imposed at a rate up to 8.75 per cent, shall be deposited into a separate special revenue fund to be established by the City of Salem. Amounts deposited into said fund shall be used solely for the planning, design, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, improvement, furnishing, equipping, maintenance, and extraordinary maintenance of school or municipal buildings and facilities of the City of Salem, including, but not limited to, the payment of debt service on bonds or notes issued for such purposes. Nothing in this act shall be construed to limit, impair, or otherwise …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Manny Cruz (D) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. August 10, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5646
2. July 10, 2026: Hearing scheduled for 07/20/2026 from 09:00 AM-05:00 PM in Written Testimony Only
3. July 1, 2026: Senate concurred
4. June 25, 2026: Referred to the committee on Revenue

Common questions

What is H5537?

H5537 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act authorizing an increase in the limit of a local excise tax that the city of Salem may impose for the purpose of funding school and municipal facilities.

What is the status of H5537?

Failed as of August 10, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5646 (August 10, 2026).

Who sponsored H5537?

Manny Cruz (D).

Where is the official record for H5537?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5537