HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3982        FILED ON: 1/26/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3843

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act Increasing the Number of Massachusetts appointees to the National Commission to Create Uniform State Laws..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 6 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 26, as appearing in the 2005 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:

Section 26.  “There shall be a board of commissioners on uniform state laws, consisting of seven members: one Member of the Senate, appointed by the Senate President; one Member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker; three additional members appointed by the Governor; the Secretary of State or a designee of the Secretary of State; and the Attorney General or a designee of the Attorney General.  Provided further, any person, not otherwise a member of the commission, elected as life member of the National Conference of Commissioner on Uniform State Laws based upon service as a member of the commission shall serve on the board of commissioners.

The Members of the Legislature appointed to the commission shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing Authority and shall participate in the activities of the commission to the extent that the participation is not incompatible with their respective positions as member of the Legislature.

A commissioner must be eligible to practice law in the Commonwealth of the Massachusetts to be appointed.

A commissioner appointed pursuant to subsection (b) shall serve a term of five years beginning from the date of appointment.

SECTION 2. Said chapter 6 is hereby further amended by striking out section 27, as appearing in the 2005 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:

Section 27. The commissioners shall:  Represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and attend its annual meeting;

Examine subjects upon which uniformity of legislation in the various states of the United States is desirable and practicable.

Confer upon these matters with the commissioners appointed by the others states for the same purpose in the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws;

Consider and draft uniform laws to be submitted for approval and adoption by the several states;

Devise and recommend such other or further course of action as may tend to accomplish such purposes; and

Maintain a record of their doings and make an annual report to the governor, the legislature, the secretary of state, and the attorney general.