H2347
An Act to promote Yes in God's Back Yard
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, titled ‘An Act to promote Yes in God’s Back Yard,’ seeks to allow municipalities to allow multifamily housing on land owned by religious organizations, potentially altering existing zoning ordinances. The bill aims to address the issue of land use restrictions impacting religious properties. It has undergone several revisions and study orders within the Massachusetts legislature.
Key provisions
- Allows municipalities to permit multifamily housing on land owned by religious sects or denominations.
- Relates to zoning ordinances and taxation of such land.
- Has been subject to multiple study orders and committee reviews.
- Originally introduced as a petition and subsequently became a bill.
- Has been discharged to the Housing committee.
- Scheduled for a hearing on September 17, 2025.
Who is affected
- Religious organizations
- Municipalities
- Landowners of religious properties
- Housing developers
- Residents of Massachusetts
Notable changes
- The bill modifies existing zoning regulations.
- It has been subject to multiple committee reviews and study orders.
- The bill’s progression through the legislature has involved several rescheduling of hearings.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Andres X. Vargas
Cosponsors
Amy Mah Sangiolo
Andres X. Vargas
Carmine Lawrence Gentile
Christopher M. Markey
Arguments in favor
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Bill H.2347 194th (Current)
An Act to promote Yes in God's Back Yard
By Representatives Vargas of Haverhill and Hong of Lowell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2347) of Andres X. Vargas, Tara T. Hong and Vanna Howard relative to zoning ordinances and taxation of land owned by religious sects or denominations for multifamily housing. Municipalities and Regional Government.
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Presenters: Andres X. Vargas , Tara T. Hong
Tabs
Bill History Petitioners Committee Vote Committee Summary Hearing Attendance
Bill History
Displaying 9 actions for Bill H.2347
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional Government |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 7/16/2025 | House | Discharged to the committee on Housing |
| 7/21/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 9/4/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 09/17/2025 from 09:00 AM-01:00 PM in A-2 |
| 9/16/2025 | Joint | Hearing rescheduled to 09/17/2025 from 09:00 AM-01:00 PM in B-1 Hearing location changed |
| 9/17/2025 | Joint | Hearing rescheduled to 09/17/2025 from 09:00 AM-11:30 AM in B-1 Hearing updated to New End Time |
| House | Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order | |
| 4/13/2026 | House | Accompanied a study order, see H5352 (under House Rule 27) |
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An Act to promote Yes in God's Back Yard
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