Bill > H284

This bill establishes a commission to investigate the economic impact of Massachusetts' minimum pricing laws, which are regulations that set a floor for the prices of certain goods, on both businesses and residents within the Commonwealth. The commission, composed of various state officials, including the secretaries of administration and finance, revenue, and agriculture, along with representatives from affected industries like dairy, alcohol, and tobacco, and experts in finance and consumer economics, will examine existing minimum pricing laws in Massachusetts and neighboring states, analyze their effects on product costs and prices, and determine if these laws still serve their original purpose or create a competitive disadvantage for the Commonwealth. The commission will also assess if these laws unfairly benefit certain businesses by creating excessive profits and may hold public hearings to gather information, with support provided by the executive office of administration and finance, ultimately producing a report with findings and legislative recommendations within one year of the bill's enactment.