Representative Steven S. Howitt supports bill to address deferred maintenance at 29 state colleges and universities

Proposal will support higher education infrastructure and new construction jobs

Boston – State Representative Steven S. Howitt (R-Seekonk) recently supported legislation that will provide $3.28 billion to help address deferred infrastructure maintenance and other modernization projects at Massachusetts’s 29 public college and university campuses.

House Bill 4750, An Act to build resilient infrastructure to generate higher-ed transformation (also known as the BRIGHT Act), uses a combination of bonding and surtax revenues to support the state’s institutes of higher education. The bill was given preliminary approval by the House of Representatives, which engrossed it on a vote of 148-5 on November 18.

The stated goal of the BRIGHT Act is to “provide for a program of capital improvements to public higher education institutions to provide support for these institutions in carrying out their educational missions and to enhance regional economic development through their educational initiatives.” The legislation is expected to help support the creation of approximately 20,000 construction-related jobs.

Representative Howitt noted that the bill includes:
• $1.25 billion for deferred maintenance, modernization, decarbonization and major capital projects at state and community college campuses;
• $1.25 billion for deferred maintenance, modernization, decarbonization and major capital projects at the University of Massachusetts’ campuses;
• $100 million for renovating campus facilities and property for housing and mixed-use development;
• $80 million for decarbonization and energy efficiency projects and plans for public higher education institutions;
• $120 million for lab modernization, community college and voc-tech facility repairs and modernization, and repair and modernization of facilities to support student mental health;
• $30 million for developing campus master plans for public higher education institutions;
• $275 million for the revitalization of the Huntington Tower Building at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design;
• $50 million for a campus improvement grant program; and
• $20 million to facilitate and enhance remote and hybrid learning opportunities for students.

According to Representative Howitt, House Bill 4750 also establishes a competitive grant program that will provide $100 million in funding for career technical education and training programs that align with regional economic and workforce development priorities. He noted that these grants can be used for the purchase and installation of equipment and to facilitate collaboration that connects high school and vocational technical program students with post-secondary opportunities.

Representative Howitt said House Bill 4750 also requires the commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) to work with the presidents of the state’s public higher education institutions and the secretary of the Executive Office of Administration & Finance to identify deferred maintenance projects at any state college or university that exceeds $50 million, and to provide details on what is being done to address this deferred maintenance. This report will be due within 90 days of the effective date of the BRIGHT Act.

Moving forward, House Bill 4750 calls for the DCAMM commissioner to file an annual report on capital expenditures for public higher education. In addition to identifying best practices, this report will also include details on projected capital needs and funding gaps that will need to be addressed. The commissioner will work in consultation with the presidents of the state’s public higher education institutions, the UMass Building Authority, and the Massachusetts State College Building Authority to produce these annual reports.

Representative Howitt said House Bill 4750 also authorizes the Commissioner of Higher Education to dispose of and sell real property at a public higher education institution that is deemed to be no longer needed. Proceeds from the property sale will be deposited into a new Higher Education Property Disposition Fund, which can then be used to pay for future campus capital facility project.

During floor debate, the House adopted a consolidated amendment allocating $370.4 million in earmarks for dozens of higher education capital projects.

House Bill 4750, as amended, will now move to the Senate for its consideration.