Bill > H2333

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Municipal Building Authority (MMBA), a new independent public authority designed to help municipalities address rising building construction costs and improve public facility infrastructure. The authority will consist of seven members, including the state treasurer (who will serve as chairperson), the secretary of administration and finance, a Massachusetts Municipal Association representative, and four additional appointed members with expertise in public building construction, architecture, design, and municipal management. The authority will require four members to constitute a quorum, and members will serve without pay but will be reimbursed for expenses. A key component of the bill is the creation of a Municipal Building Modernization and Reconstruction Trust Fund, which will be funded by a dedicated 0.5 percent sales tax revenue. The fund will provide financial support for municipal building projects, with the goal of ensuring safe, adequate, and efficiently managed public facilities that promote community development, smart growth, and accessibility. The authority will have the power to issue bonds, make grant obligations, and transfer excess funds back to the Commonwealth if the fund balance exceeds necessary project requirements. The bill emphasizes the importance of thoughtful municipal building planning and aims to help local governments meet their facility needs while maintaining financial sustainability.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2333