HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3866        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3971

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Dennis C. Gallagher

_________________

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 directing a study on the feasibility of placing registries of deeds for county governments that have not been abolished under the oversight of the secretary of the Commonwealth.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Dennis C. Gallagher

8th Plymouth

1/17/2025


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3866        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3971

By Representative Gallagher of Bridgewater, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3971) of Dennis C. Gallagher for an investigation by a special legislative commission (including members of the General Court) to study the feasibility and efficacy of placing the registries of deeds for county governments under the oversight of the State Secretary.  State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act directing a study on the feasibility of placing registries of deeds for county governments that have not been abolished under the oversight of the secretary of the Commonwealth.

 

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

(a) There is hereby established, pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws, a special legislative commission to study the feasibility and efficacy of placing the registries of deeds for county governments that have not been abolished under the oversight of the secretary of the commonwealth. As part of the study, the special legislative commission may seek public comments and input.

(b) The special legislative commission shall consist of the following members: the chairs of the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight, who shall serve as co-chairs for the commission; 2 members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 2 members appointed by the president of the senate; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; the secretary of the commonwealth or the secretary’s designee; the secretary of administration and finance or the secretary’s designee; and 3 members to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a current or former register of deeds and 1 of whom shall be a representative from the Massachusetts Association of County Commissioners, Inc.

(c) Within 180 days after the effective date of this act, the special legislative commission shall submit a report, including legislative recommendations, if any, to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, who shall forward the report to the joint committee on state administration and regulatory oversight, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the executive office for administration and finance.