Bill > H2252

This bill establishes a special commission to comprehensively study and potentially improve the distribution of local aid to municipalities in Massachusetts. The commission will include representatives from various state agencies, legislative bodies, and nonprofit organizations, such as the Massachusetts Municipal Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The commission's primary tasks include examining the current formula for distributing unrestricted general government aid, evaluating its effectiveness and equity, and making recommendations for a more equitable distribution. Specifically, the commission will review how local aid is allocated, assess whether the current formula adequately reflects municipalities' needs, identify equity disparities between different municipalities, and explore alternative formulas that could better account for factors like population changes, tax base, municipal service requirements, and local revenue-raising capacity. The commission is required to file a detailed report with legislative leadership and relevant committees within one year of the bill's passage, potentially proposing new or revised local aid formulas. The bill explicitly excludes foundation education aid from its review and will take effect immediately upon passage.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2252