Economic development bills head to conference committee

Multi-billion-dollar economic development bond bills passed by the House on June 27 and the Senate on July 11 appear headed to a House-Senate conference committee to work out the differences.

The $2.8 billion Senate bill (S. 2869) and the $4.1 billion House bill (H. 4804) include many of the same investments of interest to municipalities, including:
• $400 million for MassWorks grants for local infrastructure
• $100 million for the Rural Development Fund
• $150 million for the Public Library Construction Program to help municipalities update and rehabilitate these essential facilities
• $100 million for grants, through the Seaport Economic Council, to provide support for the state’s 78 coastal municipalities to withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change
• $400 million for climate technology bonding authorizations

The Senate adopted an amendment, known as SAPHE 2.0, that would create a statewide action plan for bolstering public health services, while providing important fiscal safeguards for municipalities.

The Senate also adopted a “happy hour” amendment to allow for the local adoption of rules around serving discounted alcoholic drinks.

The House bill included an amendment to update and modernize civil service hiring practices, but a similar amendment was withdrawn in the Senate. The House’s proposal reflects years of work among a comprehensive group of stakeholders.

The MMA reported on several key aspects of this proposal in March, including a new “hybrid” pathway that Civil Service departments could use to more easily identify and hire candidates for municipal police and fire positions outside of the traditional exam process. Other reforms include expanded flexibility for residency requirements, support and expansion for cadet programs, and more.

The House also adopted an amendment requested by the MMA regarding local consultation on “priority development sites,” which are currently created through a lengthy, deliberate process by local officials. The amendment would ensure that the state’s permit regulatory office continues to seek local insights from municipal officials and regional planning agencies.

A six-member conference committee is expected to be named to work on a compromise economic development bill for passage before the end of the formal legislative session on July 31.