Legislation Invests in Vital Repair Projects, Lab and Vocational Training Facilities, Campus Supported Housing Development
(BOSTON—2/26/2026) The Massachusetts Senate today passed the BRIGHT Act, a $3.28 billion bond bill that will invest in upgrades to public higher education campuses across Massachusetts and strengthen the learning experiences of students at community colleges, state universities, and UMass campuses. Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) voted in favor of the measure, which passed unanimously.
The legislation—S.2962, An Act to build resilient infrastructure to generate higher-ed transformation—will update facilities and address the backlog of deferred campus maintenance by harnessing the power of ‘Fair Share’ revenues to back a new state bond issuance.
The generational investment package builds on recent Senate-led policies to make public higher education more affordable and accessible, including tuition-free community college and historic increases to financial aid. Recent advancements make a tuition- and fee-free education possible for all Pell-eligible students attending four-year universities, and allow students from moderate-income families to attend at half the cost.
“Investing in the education and the experience of all students will pay dividends down the road, as our higher education campuses and facilities are gateways to a successful future for many residents of the Commonwealth,” said Senator Friedman, Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy. “This bill not only targets a previous lack of investment as the cost of deferred maintenance has accrued, but is also forward-thinking by promoting climate resilience and decarbonization efforts in our state higher education facilities. Importantly, this bill will also strengthen support of career and technical education programs that are in such high demand. I thank my colleagues and the education leaders that helped develop this thoughtful and transformative proposal.”
An expected $2.5 billion worth of projects over the next 10 years will help cover deferred maintenance, repairs, and major capital projects through a mix of bonding and cash investments. Projects include lab modernization, workforce development facilities, and climate resilience and energy efficiency priorities. The bill will also provide support for public colleges and universities to turn unused campus property into housing or mixed-use developments, and simplify the process for selling or leasing surplus land.
To finance BRIGHT Act projects, the legislation would dedicate $125 million per year from the ‘Fair Share’ surtax on high-earning households to create and back a new special revenue bond. The state collected roughly $3 billion in total Fair Share revenues in 2025.
Looking beyond the funding and bonds that would be issued over the next 10 years, the bill ensures the state will permanently bolster the resources that are directed toward higher education capital projects. It requires that the annual $125 million stream of Fair Share surtax revenue continue to be directed toward higher education capital projects in perpetuity.
Originally filed by the Governor, versions of the bill have been heard by the Joint Committee on Higher Education, reviewed by the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, passed by the House of Representatives, and redrafted by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. The Senate version of the legislation was reported to the full body by the Committee on Ways and Means with a 16-0 vote on February 19, 2026. All committee votes are posted on the Legislature’s website.
The $3.28 billion that the state would be authorized to issue in support of public higher education capital projects includes:
- $1.25 billion for projects on state university and community college campuses;
- $1.25 billion for projects on University of Massachusetts campuses;
- $120 million to support well-equipped laboratories at public higher education institutions, modern facilities to foster career-oriented collaboration between community colleges and vocational technical schools, and health facilities to promote students’ wellbeing;
- $100 million toward the creation of housing and mixed-use developments on campus properties;
- $100 million to advance regional economic and workforce development through a competitive grant program for equipment and facilities for career technical education and training programs;
- $275 million for the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) Tower Building, where high priority critical repairs are needed;
- $80 million for campus energy efficiency and decarbonization;
- $50 million for a competitive grant program for capital improvements at public higher education campuses, including climate resilience upgrades;
- $30 million for campus master planning; and
- $20 million for technology improvements that support students and facilitate remote and hybrid learning.
Additional details of the bill are available in a fact sheet in the Senate Press Room.
The Senate passed the bill on a 38-0 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review.
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