The House approved a redrafted bill this afternoon that would give cities and towns relief from certain deadlines and state laws during the ongoing COVID public health emergency.

The bill (H. 4598) would:
• Provide flexibility in scheduling town meetings
• Establish some rules for towns that may need to start fiscal 2021 without a budget that has been approved by town meeting
• Give cities and towns the local option to push back due dates for certain local taxes and to waive interest and penalties for local taxes and charges
• Provide for temporary suspension of required decisions on local land use permits
• Relax restrictions on hiring retired public employees

The bill is considered an “emergency law.”

The Senate is expected to take up the package on Monday.

• View text of H. 4598, An Act to Address Challenges Faced by Municipalities and State Authorities Resulting from COVID-19