HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5073        FILED ON: 5/5/2020

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Paul McMurtry and Michael F. Rush

_________________

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 bill:

An Act relative to the quorum requirement for open town meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Paul McMurtry

11th Norfolk

5/5/2020

Michael F. Rush

Norfolk and Suffolk

5/5/2020

James Arciero

2nd Middlesex

5/7/2020

Susannah M. Whipps

2nd Franklin

5/8/2020

Danielle W. Gregoire

4th Middlesex

5/8/2020

Kate Hogan

3rd Middlesex

5/8/2020

John H. Rogers

12th Norfolk

5/8/2020

William M. Straus

10th Bristol

5/8/2020

Carmine Lawrence Gentile

13th Middlesex

5/14/2020

Maria Duaime Robinson

6th Middlesex

5/14/2020


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5073        FILED ON: 5/5/2020

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

By Representative McMurtry of Dedham and Senator Rush, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Paul McMurtry, Michael F. Rush and others relative to quorum requirements for open town meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Municipalities and Regional Government.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act relative to the quorum requirement for open town meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, while the governor’s March 10, 2020 declaration of emergency or a re-opening phase limiting public gatherings relative to 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19 is in effect, the number of registered voters necessary to constitute a quorum at an open town meeting for the transaction of municipal business shall be reduced by two-thirds, but a smaller number may adjourn the meeting to a stated time and place.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.