HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3427        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 500

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Justin Thurber

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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 corporate disclosure when dealing with cities and towns.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3427        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 500

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act relative to corporate disclosure when dealing with cities and towns.

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. Chapter 180 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting the following section:-

Section 30.

(a) Any corporation, which does not possess legal or appointed governmental power at the municipal or state level, shall be required to issue a disclaimer stating that they are a non-governmental organization, and that any written or digital information they have made accessible to the public has been developed by their organization. Such a disclaimer shall be posted in a conspicuous and easily accessible place, including, but not limited to, the corporation’s website.

Any corporation that is or plans to participate in lobbying for legislative proposals shall post said disclaimer on the corporation’s:

(i)e-mail;

(ii)website;

(iii)social media platforms;

(iv)and any other form of digital content accessible to the public.

(b) For the purpose of this section, the term, “Public record”, shall mean, any written statement, audio or video recording of a public proceeding, including, but not limited to a public hearing.

(c) Any corporation and their representatives speaking on behalf of their proposals in a public forum, including, but not limited to, town meetings and public hearings at the state and local levels, shall submit a disclaimer to be included on public record stating their status as a non-governmental organization. Such a disclaimer shall be made readily accessible to the public when requested through a public records request.

(d) All corporations shall include a statement on their website, and any of their written or digital content that is accessible to the public, which includes information clearly stating the sources of their funding, including, but not limited to any individuals, groups of people, or committees providing financial support to the corporation. Such a statement shall be posted in a conspicuous and easily accessible format for the public.