Bill > S1356

This bill aims to address challenges to municipal governance caused by the COVID-19 emergency. The key provisions are as follows: 1. It allows town meeting moderators to request that the select board or board of selectmen call for a town meeting to be held through remote participation, using video or telephone conferencing platforms. The bill outlines the minimum requirements for such remote town meetings, including the ability for participants to be identified and heard, a method to determine quorum, and the ability to conduct votes. 2. It authorizes municipalities and districts to waive interest and other penalties for late payment of taxes, fees, and charges with due dates on or after March 10, 2020, until 90 days after the expiration of the governor's state of emergency declaration. It also prohibits the termination of essential services for non-payment during this period if the non-payment is due to financial hardship related to COVID-19. 3. It allows for the provision of public meeting notices by electronic means to address disruptions caused by COVID-19 during the state of emergency. 4. It allows select boards, town councils, or boards of registrars to eliminate municipal caucuses scheduled between the effective date of the act and June 30, 2022, if they conclude that holding the caucus would be a threat to public health and safety due to COVID-19. In such cases, nomination papers would be used instead.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S1356