SENATE DOCKET, NO. 721        FILED ON: 1/15/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1912

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Bruce E. Tarr

_________________

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 Essex Sports Center public accountability.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Bruce E. Tarr

First Essex and Middlesex

 

Joan B. Lovely

Second Essex

1/16/2019

Brendan P. Crighton

Third Essex

1/31/2019


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 721        FILED ON: 1/15/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1912

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1912) of Bruce E. Tarr, Joan B.  Lovely and Brendan P. Crighton for legislation relative to Essex Sports Center public accountability.  State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2726 OF 2017-2018.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act relative to Essex Sports Center public accountability.

 

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, the Essex Sports Center, LLC, as the lessee under Section 22 of Chapter 237 of the Acts of 2014, shall make available and the inspector general shall examine all financial documents necessary to complete an audit and analysis of the operations of the facility with regard to factors which shall include, but not be limited to, Essex Sports Center’s: (i) financial stability; (ii) performance of its lease obligations; (iii) compliance with local tax payment obligations and required compensation to the school district; (iv) ability to continue to meet all of its obligations; and (v) any other relevant factors that may impact the school, the host community, those served by the facility, the Commonwealth and other stakeholders. The inspector general shall have the authority to complete further periodic audits to ensure the Essex Sports Center’s continued fiscal solvency, and shall refer any instances of fraud or other criminal activity or if in the inspector general’s determination a referral is warranted to protect the interest of the taxpayers to the attorney general. The inspector general shall complete its audit not later than December 31, 2019.