Bill > H3989

This bill establishes a legal framework for designating "seasonal communities" in Massachusetts, focusing on municipalities with unique housing and economic challenges. Specifically, the bill automatically designates all municipalities in Dukes, Nantucket, Barnstable, and Berkshire counties as seasonal communities, and provides criteria for the executive office to designate additional municipalities, including factors like high short-term rental rates, significant seasonal population increases, income disparities, percentage of non-primary housing stock, and employment variations. Municipalities proposed for designation must vote to accept or deny the status, and the secretary will consult with an advisory council during the designation process. The bill also mandates an annual report from the executive office that identifies benefits provided to seasonal communities, monitors housing and economic conditions in the designated counties, and recommends potential legislative improvements. The bill is presented as an emergency measure to quickly address housing challenges in seasonal communities, indicating the urgent nature of the housing issues being addressed.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3989