Bill > H2297

This bill aims to protect municipalities from unfunded mandates by establishing new requirements for legislative proposals that might impose financial burdens on cities and towns. Specifically, the bill defines an unfunded mandate as any legislation that creates a cost for municipal governments, including expenses related to staffing, administration, or implementation of new requirements. Under this proposed law, when legislative committees are reviewing bills that contain such mandates, they must now attach a detailed fiscal note or study that clearly explains the potential costs to municipalities. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the General Court (the Massachusetts state legislature) from enacting legislation with these municipal cost implications unless the legislature simultaneously provides an appropriation that fully covers the anticipated expenses. This approach is designed to ensure transparency in the legislative process and prevent local governments from being forced to absorb unexpected financial burdens created by state-level mandates.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2297