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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1618 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3970
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
David M. Rogers and William N. Brownsberger
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act updating the tax treatment of recreational lands in the town of Belmont.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:David M. Rogers24th Middlesex1/15/2025William N. BrownsbergerSuffolk and Middlesex1/15/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1618 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3970
By Representative Rogers of Cambridge and Senator Brownsberger, a joint petition
(accompanied by bill, House, No. 3970) of David M. Rogers and William N. Brownsberger (by
vote of the town) that the town of Belmont be authorized to update the tax treatment of
recreational lands in said town. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 4575 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act updating the tax treatment of recreational lands in the town of Belmont.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 (a) Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, sections 2, 2A, and 16 of
2chapter 61B of the General Laws pertaining to the valuation, assessment, and taxation of
3recreational land (as defined in that chapter) shall not apply in the Town of Belmont’s
4assessment or taxation of recreational land after July 1, 2025.
5 (b) Beginning July 1, 2025, landowners shall not submit, and the Town of Belmont Board
6of Assessors shall not allow, applications under sections 3, 5, or 6 of chapter 61B of the General
7Laws for eligibility for taxation at the rate applicable to recreational land.
8 (c) The provisions of sections 1, 4, 7-15, and 17-18 of chapter 61B of the General Laws,
9including the provisions pertaining to changes in use, taxation upon conveyance, and roll-back 2 of 2
10taxes shall continue to apply in full force to land previously assessed or taxed as recreational land
11under chapter 61B by the Town of Belmont.