SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2501        FILED ON: 2/23/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2602

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Bruce E. Tarr

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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 Commonwealth Recovery Council.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2501        FILED ON: 2/23/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2602

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 relative to the Commonwealth Recovery Council.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 4. There is hereby established the Commonwealth Recovery Council, for the purpose of assisting state government in taking actions to facilitate and expedite the recovery of the Massachusetts economy and its constituent businesses from the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic, and to foster continued expansion and growth of economic activity. The council shall provide advice and counsel to the executive department and the legislature as requested, and shall identify and communicate measures to achieve goals including but not limited to:

Increasing jobs and the employment rate for all regions of the Commonwealth

Addressing inequalities and economic disparities affecting minority populations suffering disproportionate impacts from the COVID-19 global pandemic

Preserving and strengthening the business infrastructure of the commonwealth, including physical locations, telecommunications and information technology systems and networks, and services necessary to support business enterprises

Preserving, maintaining and expanding collaboration and business to business networks and collaborations by and between Massachusetts entities

Identifying opportunities to assist Massachusetts businesses remain viable, come into existence, and/or grow.

Identifying any potential actions by state government that could be harmful to economic recovery

SECTION 2. The council shall consist of 21 members; the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, who shall  serve as its Chair, 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 1 of whom shall represent a labor organization and 1 of whom shall be a consultant  with experience in business consulting and planning, 1 member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives representing a business organization or trade group, 2 members appointed by the Senate President, 1 of whom shall represent a labor organization and 1 of whom shall represent an organization which advocates for the interests of minority populations in the commonwealth, 1 member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate , whom shall represent a Massachusetts-based research organization with experience in economics, and 13 members appointed by the governor as follows : 2 members representing the hotel and hospitality industry from geographically diverse regions of the commonwealth, 2 members representing the restaurant industry from geographically diverse regions of the commonwealth, 2 members representing retailers from geographically diverse regions of the commonwealth, 2 members representing the manufacturing sector from geographically diverse regions of the commonwealth, at least 2 members representing the cultural and creative economy from geographically diverse regions of the commonwealth, and 3 additional members from geographically diverse regions of the commonwealth representing the interests of consumers and taxpayers.

SECTION 3. The council shall convene not less than every 3 months, and its meetings shall be public, with proper notice given , provided that such meetings may be conducted remotely through the use of  publicly available technology. The council may elect to receive oral and written testimony at any of its meetings. Any findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals developed by the council shall be reported simultaneously to the Governor of the Commonwealth and the clerks of the House and Senate, and posted on the internet in a manner that allows for public inspection. The council shall produce a report of its activities not less than every 6 months, which shall be disseminated in the same manner.

SECTION 4. The provisions of this act shall expire on December 31, 2025 unless otherwise modified, extended or repealed.