HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3650        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2290

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

_________________

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 providing for municipal flexibility in state housing mandates.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

20th Middlesex

1/17/2025

Kimberly N. Ferguson

1st Worcester

1/17/2025

Paul K. Frost

7th Worcester

1/31/2025

Todd M. Smola

1st Hampden

3/10/2025


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3650        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2290

By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2290) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr. and others that municipalities are authorized to petition for exemption from compliance with certain state-imposed housing mandates.  Municipalities and Regional Government.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

 

An Act providing for municipal flexibility in state housing mandates.

 

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

Chapter 40A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 18. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a municipality may petition the executive office of housing and livable communities for an exemption from compliance with a state-imposed housing mandate, including but not limited to section 3A of this chapter. The petition shall include evidence demonstrating that compliance would: (a) impose an undue financial or administrative burden; (b) exceed the municipality's capacity for housing, infrastructure, or services; or (c) conflict with existing local priorities or zoning regulations.

The department of housing and community development shall promulgate regulations for reviewing and approving such petitions, including timelines and criteria for exemptions.