Resolved, there shall be a 9 member special commission for the purpose of investigating the use and effectiveness of the “comprehensive permit law,” sections 20 to 23, inclusive of chapter 40B of the General Laws.  The commission shall consist of the secretary of administration and finance or his designee; the secretary of housing and economic development or his designee; the secretary of transportation or his designee; the senate chair of the joint committee on municipalities and regional government, the senate chair of the joint committee on housing; 1 member appointed by the senate minority leader; the house chair of the joint committee on municipalities and regional government, the house chair of the joint committee housing; and 1 member appointed by the house minority leader.

The commission shall study the effectiveness of the “comprehensive permit law” as a mechanism for promoting the construction of affordable housing units in the Commonwealth and its impact on regional and municipal planning.  The commission shall hold at least 14 public hearings, one in each county in the Commonwealth, to solicit public testimony and evidence of the positive and negative aspects of the “comprehensive permit law.”  The commission shall issue a report that shall include the history of the comprehensive permit law; other statutory mechanisms designed to promote the increase of affordable housing units in our municipalities; a summary of the testimony presented at the public hearings; and any legislative or regulatory amendments it deems necessary to ensure the “comprehensive permit law” effectively promotes the best interests of the Commonwealth, its municipalities and the goal of increasing the amount of affordable housing units in both.

The commission shall file its report with the clerk of the senate and the clerk of house of representatives on or before December 31, 2017.