Section 1.  The Governor shall create and maintain a Financial Services Advisory Council.  The council shall be a standing advisory council within the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development to function as a liaison between a) senior state government officials with oversight for the financial services industry, and b) financial services industry leaders who are interested in advancing hiring, investment and overall competitiveness within the industry in Massachusetts.

The council’s mission will be to preserve and advance the competitiveness and leadership of the state’s financial services industry, including the banking, investment management, insurance, and venture capital sectors.

Section 2.  Governance and membership of said council shall consist of the following:  a 17-member advisory council, chaired by the Secretary of Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) and consisting of 5 ex-officio government members (Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Higher Education, OCABR Undersecretary, and MOITI executive director), the Senate President and Speaker of the House or their Legislative appointees; and 9 members from industry (with a minimum of two members from each of the following sectors: banking, investment management, and insurance) appointed by the EOHED Secretary following an application process.

Section 3.  The council shall convene a minimum of three meetings per calendar year to exchange ideas and develop strategies that leverage existing government resources, personnel, and infrastructure to strengthen and advance the following issues, as they relate to the Massachusetts financial services industry:

•Legislative and Regulatory Issues

•Workforce Development & Skills Training

•International Trade & Direct Foreign Investment

•Industry Marketing & Promotion

Council members may elect to pursue other issues and initiatives, in addition to the above stated, as determined by a majority of council members.

Section 4.  The council or its designee shall maintain a website that shall be available for public access on which information and updates from council meetings, working groups, and related initiatives shall be posted periodically, as determined by a majority of council members.