HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3780        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 72

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Natalie M. Blais and Joanne M. Comerford

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying resolve:

Resolve establishing the Massachusetts Government Assistance task force to address the statewide impacts of the 2018-2019 federal government shutdown.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Natalie M. Blais

1st Franklin

1/18/2019

Joanne M. Comerford

Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester

1/18/2019

Mindy Domb

3rd Hampshire

1/31/2019


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3780        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 72

By Representative Blais of Sunderland and Senator Comerford, a joint petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 72) of Natalie M. Blais and Joanne M. Comerford for an investigation by a task force (including members of the General Court) to address the statewide impacts of the 2018-2019 federal government shutdown.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

_______________

 

Resolve establishing the Massachusetts Government Assistance task force to address the statewide impacts of the 2018-2019 federal government shutdown.

 

Resolved, that there be a bipartisan emergency response task force for the purpose of proactively identifying ways in which the commonwealth can respond to its citizens and affected communities during and immediately following the 2018-2019 federal government shutdown in a way that provides financial support and government services for those affected by the shutdown.

The task force shall convene within 5 business days upon approval of the resolve and consist of 7 members: The governor or a designee currently employed by that office who shall serve as chair; the attorney general or a designee currently employed by that office; a member of the senate appointed by the senate president; a member of the house appointed by the  speaker of the house of representatives; a member of the senate appointed by the minority leader of the senate; a member of the house appointed by the minority leader of the house and the secretary of administration and finance or his designee who is employed by that office. The task force shall work in consultation with appropriate agency heads.

The task force shall analyze the short term and long term impacts of the 2018-2019 federal government shutdown. The task force shall issue a public report that includes but is not limited to, an analysis of government programs impacted, how Massachusetts residents are impacted, and the potential cost and economic impact to the commonwealth during a short term and long term shut down.

The task force shall develop a rapid response plan for the commonwealth that prioritizes continuation of services for its residents and communities. It shall also identify administrative fixes, policy changes and legislative proposals for consideration to address both short term and long term impacts; focusing foremost on the loss of revenue, impacted federal employees and beneficiaries impacted by the loss of federal services.

A detailed impact report that includes action steps shall be made available to the public on or before February 1, 2019. The task force may issue findings and suggest steps including legislation at any time during its authority.

The task force shall dissolve exactly 30 days after the end of the 2018-2019 federal government shutdown and shall issue prior to dissolve an economic impact to the Commonwealth of the shutdown.