SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1483        FILED ON: 1/14/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1719

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act creating a special commission to study summary process proceedings..

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.  There shall be hereby established a Special Commission to investigate, study and evaluate, but not limited to, all the legal requirements for property owners, corporate property owners and their respective employees to appear on behalf of, and represent themselves, and their respective organizations in summary process proceedings.  The Special Commission shall be convened by the Attorney General, and shall consist of the following appointed individuals.  The Governor shall appoint 2 individuals from the Executive, familiar with legal issues as they relate to summary process proceedings, 2 members of the House of Representatives as appointed by the Speaker, 2 members of the Senate as appointed by the Senate President, and representatives of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, Real Estate Bar Association, the Citizen’s Housing and Planning Association and the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance.  The Commission shall meet for a period of 180 days and recommend legislative or other options that it believes will be feasible to address this issue.  This Act shall take effect immediately upon its passage.