Massachusetts Senate Panel Advances $2.61 Billion Closeout Budget

The Senate released a $2.61 billion supplemental spending bill to close out fiscal 2026, and the Ways and Means Committee approved it 15-0, WBUR reported. State House News Service said the Senate’s version, S 3290, amends H 5700, which the House passed Oct. 21. The two branches must agree on one bill.

WBUR said $1.8 billion goes to MassHealth, the largest piece, with $368 million for the Student Opportunity Act Investment Fund and $244.8 million to cover county sheriff budget shortfalls and fiscal 2025 bills. The Senate version also adds policy riders: easier subscription cancellations, limits on junk fees and recurring card charges, more tools to prevent public benefit fraud, more procurement flexibility for cities and towns, and a cap holding sheriffs’ spending at fiscal 2026 levels. WBUR reported that neither chamber’s bill includes the gas tax suspension Gov. Maura Healey proposed.

Amendments are due at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. The Senate holds its first formal session since July 31 on Thursday, Nov. 5, when it takes up the bill, State House News Service reported, a date WBUR also gave.