Bill > H2285

This bill establishes a seven-member commission to study the financial impact of unfunded mandates on municipalities. The commission will be composed of members appointed by the governor, including a municipal official who will serve as co-chair, the director of the division of local mandates (who will also serve as co-chair), and representatives from the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Massachusetts Treasurer's and Collector's Association, and Massachusetts Town Clerk's Association. Commission members will serve two-year terms without compensation and can be removed by the governor upon recommendation of their nominating organization. The commission's key responsibilities include reviewing and analyzing unfunded local mandates from state and federal authorities, creating an economic impact report detailing the effects of these mandates on municipalities, serving as an independent advocate for local governments in their interactions with state and federal governments, developing procedural rules, and performing other related services. The commission is required to compile a comprehensive list of unfunded mandates and their costs, which will be filed with the state senate and house of representatives, potentially including proposals to mitigate the mandates' effects.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2285