SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1218        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1805

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Joanne M. Comerford

_________________

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 regional planning agencies.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Joanne M. Comerford

Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester

 

Susannah M. Whipps

2nd Franklin

3/25/2025

Aaron L. Saunders

7th Hampden

3/25/2025

Paul W. Mark

Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire

3/28/2025

Michael D. Brady

Second Plymouth and Norfolk

6/6/2025


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1218        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1805

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1805) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to regional planning agencies and contributions to the state retirement system.  Public Service.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act relative to regional planning agencies.

 

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

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

Section 31.  (a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:

“Agency”, shall mean the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission, the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, the Old Colony Planning Council, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District.

(b)  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, an agency that is a member of the state retirement system pursuant to chapter 32 shall be deemed to be or shall continue to be a member of the state retirement system. 

(c) An agency shall not be required to annually reimburse the state board of retirement for its pro rata share of any retirement allowance or pension paid by said board during the preceding calendar year which is based in whole or in part on service with such district provided that each agency contributes the required accumulated deductions and interest to the annuity savings accounts of the agency.

(d) An agency shall not be held liable for any past due contributions before January 1, 2026.