H2733 (2026): Audit of Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention Funding

What the Bill Would Do

House Bill 2733 would mandate an audit of all state funding directed toward gun violence prevention and intervention programs^[1]. The audit would be conducted by a special legislative commission established under Chapter 4, Section 2A, made up of members of grassroots and community-based gun violence organizations from the communities most impacted by gun violence, with a report of findings and recommendations due within 180 days of the act taking effect. Massachusetts spends tens of millions of dollars annually on violence prevention through multiple agencies and programs, but there is no unified accounting of how those funds are distributed, what outcomes they produce, or whether there is duplication or gaps in coverage.

The commission would examine listed prevention and intervention funding streams, identify communities most affected by gun violence and where funds have been spent by census tract, and submit findings and recommendations. The filed text does not separately require an effectiveness score or a duplication analysis, although the commission's investigation is not limited to the listed subjects.

Current Status

H2733 was reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on January 27, 2026^[2]. This is the same trajectory as H2672 — a favorable committee report followed by fiscal review in Ways and Means.

What to Watch

This bill has potential for bipartisan support because it frames gun violence as a public health issue and focuses on accountability for existing spending rather than creating new programs or restricting rights. The main open question is the scope of the audit (state funds only, or also federal pass-through dollars). As filed, the commission's report is advisory, and the bill already sets a 180-day reporting deadline. If Ways and Means reports it out, floor passage is likely.