Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
On Aug. 9, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a wide-ranging “municipal modernization” bill that had been a centerpiece of his legislative agenda for 2016.
The Legislature passed the final compromise bill, often referred to by the governor as the “weed-whacker special,” on July 31.
The 125-page, 253-section law includes numerous reforms to state laws related to municipal finance, human resources practices, administration, and procurement.
The law allows for expedited competitive bidding for contracts worth up to $50,000 (increased from $10,000), a provision long sought by local procurement officials.
• Link to inspector general’s office website for guidance regarding the law’s procurement changes
Also included is language allowing municipal governments to enter into joint-powers agreements, and updating state law related to doubled-up utility poles.
The legislative conference committee added provisions, supported by the MMA, to allow local governments to create special tax assessment zones for workforce housing, meant to encourage housing creation for middle-income families and individuals.
The final bill was stripped, however, of several key provisions that were popular with local officials, such as provisions granting local control of liquor licenses and allowing direct deposit for municipal payroll.
The Legislature also removed MMA-supported provisions that would have reformed unemployment insurance and added an MMA appointee to the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund Board of Directors.
The Legislature’s final bill removed language, included in the Senate version, that would have allowed municipalities to enforce double-pole statutes, instead creating a study on the topic.
The Legislature did include a measure allowing municipal officials to set speed limits as low as 20 or 25 miles per hour in certain areas.
The “municipal modernization” bill was originally filed by Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito late last year. The MMA and local officials across the state showed strong support for the package, which they said would benefit nearly every aspect of local government.
The Division of Local Services and other state agencies that administer the different provisions of the bill are expected to release guidance and further details on the law.
For the full text of the final bill, visit https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H4565.
• Download the administration’s section-by-section summary of the “municipal modernization” act (189K PDF)