Bill > H2712

This bill directs the inspector general, an independent government official responsible for investigating waste and fraud, to conduct a comprehensive study of all leasing agreements made by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), a public agency responsible for providing wholesale water and sewer services to a large portion of Massachusetts. The study, which has a budget of up to $150,000, will examine properties where the MWRA is either the landlord (lessor) or tenant (lessee), analyze the economic impact of these properties on the authority's customers (ratepayers), and determine if the leases were obtained following proper advertising and procurement procedures. The inspector general will then provide recommendations for improving how the MWRA manages its real estate and, if necessary, propose new legislation to ensure the authority maximizes its financial returns for the benefit of ratepayers, with the findings and recommendations due by specific dates in late 2017.