Legislation authorizes $1.26B in bonds, allocates $400M in federal funds
(BOSTON—7/26/2024) Today the Massachusetts Legislature enacted the FutureTech Act, taking action on a $1.26 billion bond authorization to modernize the Commonwealth’s digital infrastructure and create safer and more accessible experiences for residents and employees alike.
Funding and projects included in H.4889, An Act to provide for the future information technology needs of Massachusetts, would allow state agencies to deliver services more efficiently to residents, enhance cybersecurity on statewide platforms, and broaden access to services used by hundreds of thousands of residents statewide. The bill would also invest in emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) and create a fund to secure anticipated federal funding to bolster health and human services-related projects.
“Today the Legislature is investing in a safer, more efficient, and modernized digital experience for residents and state employees alike,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Our technology infrastructure is a lynchpin for nearly every service and resource our state delivers, and enhancing it is a fundamental step toward increasing access and creating systems that work for everyone. I’m grateful to Senator Comerford for her leadership on the conference committee, as well as the conferees, Speaker Mariano, and our colleagues in the House, and I look forward to the Governor signing this important bill into law.”
“Ensuring that the Commonwealth is investing heavily in our technology infrastructure is critical, as protecting against cybersecurity threats, and enabling state agencies to operate with an increased level of efficiency, are vital aspects of our effort to make Massachusetts more safe, effective, and prepared in a world dominated by increasingly sophisticated technologies,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Governor Healey for filing this legislation, as well as Chairman Finn and each member of the conference committee for their critical input, and for guiding this bill through the legislative process. I am grateful to all of my colleagues in the House, and to Senate President Spilka and our partners in the Senate, for recognizing the importance of this bill, and for voting to send it to the Governor’s desk for her signature.”
“The FutureTech Act will help position Massachusetts as a leader in current and emergent technologies,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Chair of the Conference Committee. “This legislation will modernize the Commonwealth’s digital infrastructure with an eye toward accessibility, equity, and emerging technologies. I am grateful for the partnership of House Chair Michael Finn and the Senate conferees, Senator Ed Kennedy and Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, for their work to achieve a strong bill. I am also thankful to Senate President Karen Spilka for the opportunity to chair this conference committee on behalf of the Senate.”
“The passage of the FutureTech Act of 2024 signifies Massachusetts’ commitment to modernizing our information technology infrastructure, enhancing our cybersecurity efforts, and ensuring a brighter, more interconnected future for our residents,” said Representative Michael J. Finn (D-Springfield), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets and House Chair of the Conference Committee.
“This important legislation takes major steps towards improving the Commonwealth’s digital infrastructure,” said Senator Edward J. Kennedy (D-Lowell), a member of the conference committee. “Because of these investments, the residents of Massachusetts will benefit from a safe and modern informational technology environment in all state agencies. I’m grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka and my colleagues on the conference committee for their collaboration in developing a final version of this legislation.”
“The FutureTech Bond Bill is a forward-looking bill that ensures that the Commonwealth’s technology infrastructure is up to date and secure. These investments in innovative technologies will improve the efficiency of state government and benefit everyone in Massachusetts,” said Representative Danielle W. Gregoire (D-Marlborough), First Division Chair and a member of the conference committee.
“Information technology is essential to the operations of our state, and it must be efficient, secure, and as user friendly as possible,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), a member of the conference committee. “The investments and policy measures in this bill will contribute to the advancement of those goals.”
“I am immensely proud of the dedication and effort demonstrated by the conference committee to bring this report to fruition,” said Representative Marcus S. Vaughn (R-Wrentham), a member of the conference committee. “This achievement stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. By working together, we have shown our shared commitment to serving the best interests of the Commonwealth.”
The FutureTech Act lays a foundation for technology innovation in the Commonwealth by implementing transformative projects like the Business Enterprise Systems Transformation (BEST) and the Commonwealth Digital Roadmap, both of which would be targeted at streamlining state operations and making essential government services quicker and more efficient.
It would support a new project to consolidate and modernize the Division of Occupational Licensing’s (DOL) licensing database, which currently relies on outdated infrastructure, paper files, and manual data entry. Once fully implemented, new systems will accelerate licensing and renewals.
The bill also includes authorizations to continue investments for the Employment Modernization Transformation (EMT) rollout, which will provide employers and those seeking unemployment insurance with a new portal to manage unemployment insurance claims. With phase one already rolled out, future improvements will include easier uploads, a mobile-friendly design, and enhanced accessibility features.
The FutureTech Act builds on Massachusetts’ longstanding leadership in emerging technology by allocating funds for future AI projects and supporting initiatives like the Municipal Fiber Grant Program, which boosts innovation and extends efficiencies to cities and towns.
Having passed both branches of the Legislature, the legislation will now be sent to the Governor’s desk for her signature.