H2252 — An Act to establish a commission to study the distribution of unrestricted local aid

Summary

An Act to establish a commission to study the distribution of unrestricted local aid

Bill Text

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The bill establishes a new commission to study and recommend changes to the distribution of unrestricted general government aid to municipalities in the commonwealth.

• Chapter 40Z. Commission to study the distribution of unrestricted general government aid. Section 1. There shall be a commission to study the distribution of general local aid in the commonwealth, including unrestricted general government aid, lottery aid as promulgated in section 18C of chapter 58 of the General Laws and additional assistance aid to municipalities. The study shall not include foundation aid as defined in section 2 of chapter 70 of the General Laws.

  A new chapter is added to establish a commission for studying local aid distribution.

• Section 2. The commission shall examine the current formula used to distribute unrestricted general government aid to municipalities, evaluate the effectiveness and equity of said formula and make recommendations to establish a more equitable distribution of unrestricted general government aid to municipalities in the commonwealth.

  The commission is tasked with evaluating and recommending changes to the existing aid distribution formula.

• Section 3. The commission shall consist of: the secretary of administration and finance, or a designee; the commissioner of the department of revenue, or a designee; 1 member appointed by the state treasurer; 2 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall represent a gateway municipality as defined in section 3A of chapter 23A of the General Laws and shall serve as co-chair; 2 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall represent a gateway municipality as defined in said section 3A of said chapter 23A and shall serve as co-chair; 5 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be nominated by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Inc., 1 of whom shall be nominated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, 1 of whom shall be nominated by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, Inc., 1 of whom shall be nominated by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Inc., and 1 of whom shall be nominated by the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

  The structure and membership of the commission is defined.

• Section 4. The commission shall file a report of its findings and recommendations, including any new or revised local aid formulas, with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the chairs of the senate and house committees on ways and means, and the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on municipalities and regional government not later than one year after the passage of this act.

  The commission is required to submit a report of its findings within a year.

• SECTION 2. Section 1 shall take effect upon passage.

  The new chapter takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Sponsors

• Antonio F. D. Cabral · Primary

Subjects