Massachusetts · 194th General Court (2025-2026)

H 4288Floor Vote

An Act relative to the inclusion of commercial fishermen as a designated vocation for affordable and attainable housing preference in the town of Chatham under Section 32, Seasonal Communities, Subsection (d), of the Affordable Homes Act

Source of recordMassachusetts · malegislature.govLast synced Aug 31, 2026

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Progress

Where this bill stands in the legislative process.

Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
To Governor
Became Law

Overview

This bill seeks to establish a housing preference for commercial fishermen in Chatham, Massachusetts, under the Affordable Homes Act. Specifically, it aims to incorporate the designation of ‘designated vocation’ for fishermen within Section 32, Seasonal Communities, Subsection (d) of the Act. This would allow fishermen to potentially receive priority in accessing affordable and attainable housing within the town.

Key provisions

Designates commercial fishermen as a ‘designated vocation’ for housing preference.
Applies this preference under Section 32, Seasonal Communities, Subsection (d) of the Affordable Homes Act.
Focuses on the town of Chatham, Massachusetts.
Relies on local approval from the town of Chatham.
Aims to address housing needs for the local fishing industry.

Who is affected

Commercial fishermen
Residents of Chatham, Massachusetts
Housing developers in Chatham
The Affordable Homes Act
Local government in Chatham

Notable changes

Introduces a specific vocational designation for housing preference.
Targets a particular town (Chatham) within Massachusetts.
Relies on existing provisions of the Affordable Homes Act.

Bill text

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Legislative history

8 recorded actions

Jul 16, 2025House

Referred to the committee on Housing

Jul 21, 2025Senate

Senate concurred

Nov 10, 2025joint

Hearing scheduled for 11/10/2025 from 12:00 PM-12:00 PM in Written Testimony Only

Jan 15, 2026House

Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Mar 12, 2026House

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

Mar 26, 2026House

Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting

Mar 26, 2026House

Rules suspended

Mar 26, 2026House

Read second and ordered to a third reading

Votes

Recorded roll calls and chamber actions on this bill.

Vote map

House districts

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Nay

Yea

Floor votes and chamber actions

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Recorded roll calls

Geography

Recorded positions across the state.

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments

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An Act relative to the inclusion of commercial fishermen as a designated vocation for affordable and attainable housing preference in the town of Chatham under Section 32, Seasonal Communities, Subsection (d), of the Affordable Homes Act

Progress

Overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Notable changes

Bill text

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Cosponsors

Legislative history

Votes

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls

Geography

Arguments

Arguments in favor

Arguments opposed

Geography

Legislative history

Votes

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls