There shall be a task force to examine and make recommendations on promoting housing production, preservation and land use planning in the commonwealth. The task force shall consist of: the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on housing, who shall serve as co-chairs; 2 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; 2 members of the senate, and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader. The undersecretary of housing and community development or designee shall serve as an “ex officio” member and the task force may ask for assistance as needed from the department and the commonwealth’s quasi-public housing agencies. The chairs may, at their discretion, name additional members representing stakeholder organizations and/or consult informally with such stakeholders. 

The task force’s scope shall include, but not be limited to: housing production and preservation for a full range of incomes and of all housing types; strategies for addressing the displacement of lower income households; modernizing the commonwealth’s zoning, planning and permitting statutes; and promoting such development consistent with commonwealth’s smart growth principles and environmental goals. The task force shall file a report containing its findings and recommendations, including draft legislation necessary to carry out its recommendations, with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on housing and the chairs of the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than 180 days after enactment.