HB 243: Corporate welfare tax; imposes on large employers a tax equal to 100% of qualified employee benefit.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Corporate welfare tax. Imposes on large employers, as defined in the bill, a corporate welfare tax equal to 100 percent of the qualified employee benefits received by any employees of such large employer residing in the Commonwealth. The bill directs the Department of Taxation to obtain identifying data for individuals receiving qualified federal benefits, as defined by the bill, from the Department of Social Services pursuant to an interagency agreement and to compare such data to employment rosters received quarterly from large employers to determine the amount of qualified federal benefits received by employees of such large employers. The bill also prohibits an employer, in connection with the selection or referral of applicants or candidates for employment, to make inquiries or otherwise seek information relating to whether such applicant receives qualified federal benefits.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 11, 2026Continued to next session in Finance (Voice Vote)
2. February 9, 2026Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
3. February 8, 2026Fiscal Impact statement From TAX (2/8/2026 12:59 pm)
4. February 5, 2026Assigned HFIN sub: Subcommittee #1
5. January 8, 2026Referred to Committee on Finance
6. January 8, 2026Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104162D