SECTION 1. (a) There shall be established a special commission on preparing the built environment for the next economy, including an inventory of infrastructure, buildings, and land use regulations. The goal of this special commission is to link government, utilities, business, and educational postgraduate institutions in the commonwealth to create a realistic plan to strengthen the economy, provide housing, and opportunities for emerging technologies while protecting our environment and open space.  

(b) The Massachusetts: NEXT special commission shall consist of the Secretaries of the Executive Office of Housing and the Executive Office of Economic Development or their designees; one member from each regional planning commission; one member from the Massachusetts Municipal Association; one member from each regional water authority; one member appointed by the Speaker of the Massachusetts House; and one member appointed by the Massachusetts Senate President. The special commission shall also include a minimum of four (4) institutional partners, including University of Massachusetts, and additional universities selected by the Speaker and Senate President. The special commission shall meet at least monthly. The special commission shall be staffed by a director appointed by the Secretaries.

(c) The special commission shall collect data regarding the availability of water, wastewater, electricity, transportation access, and proximity to food and medical resources, local land use regulations, the existing built environment, and local limitations to diversity in the economy.

(d) The special commission shall hold at least one public hearing and may hold additional hearings as necessary at which members of the public shall have an opportunity to speak.

(d) Not later than June 30, 2024, the special commission shall file a report on its findings, including recommendations to implement said findings, with the clerks of the House and Senate, the Secretaries of Housing and Economic Development, and the House and Senate committees on Ways and Means. The report shall include an inventory of current land use and natural resources; housing and business needs, infrastructure, land use regulations, and recommendations to balance preservation and growth opportunities for housing, economic development and associated infrastructure.