FILED ON: 7/21/2022

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5067

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act to allow Saugus town meeting to adopt a process to allow non-binding resolutions.

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. (a) The town of Saugus may adopt a by-law to permit, notwithstanding the requirements of section 10 of chapter 39 of the General Laws, any town meeting member to propose a non-binding resolution for consideration by the town meeting by submitting a written or electronic notice to the clerk of the town of Saugus at least 48 hours prior to the meeting, excluding weekends and holidays. The clerk of the town of Saugus shall promptly notify the moderator of the town of Saugus upon receipt of a non-binding resolution and forward the non-binding resolution to town meeting members.

(b) Non-binding resolutions shall not: (1) appropriate funds, (2) propose zoning or general by-law changes or (3) have any binding effect on the operations of town government.

(c) Non-binding resolutions shall be considered statements of opinion in accordance with past practice of the town and shall not be considered as actions of the town meeting for purposes of said section 10 of said chapter 39. Non-binding resolutions consistent with the criteria set forth in subsections (a) and (b), shall be acted upon during the next town meeting or upon resumption of a town meeting that had been temporarily adjourned, whichever comes first. A majority vote of the quorum of the town meeting shall be required to adopt a non-binding resolution.

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