Resolved, A special commission is hereby established to investigate and study the taxation, abatements, exemptions and payment in lieu of tax agreements between colleges and universities and the commonwealth and municipalities.  The commission will examine the viability of taxing these institutions for real estate holdings and for taxation purposes or any other amount for any equitable tax purpose.

The commission shall be appointed by the governor and shall consist of 7 members as follows:  the commissioner of the department of revenue, the president of the Massachusetts municipal association, the president of the association of independent colleges and universities in Massachusetts, a representative from the department of higher education, 1 member appointed by the governor, 1 member appointed by the president of the senate and 1 member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.  The commission shall report to the general court the results of its study together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry such recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the governor, the clerk of the senate and the clerk of the house of representatives on or before September 30, 2009.