SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2821        FILED ON: 4/11/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2509

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Mark C. Montigny

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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 relating to vacancies in the office of mayor in the city of New Bedford.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2821        FILED ON: 4/11/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2509

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 relating to vacancies in the office of mayor in the city of New Bedford.

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.  Notwithstanding section 59A of chapter 43 of the General Laws, or any general or special law to the contrary, if a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor before the last 12 months of the term of office, the city clerk shall forthwith order an election to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.

If a vacancy occurs in the office of the mayor during the last 12 months of the term of office, the city council shall forthwith hold a meeting and elect by majority vote one of its members as mayor for the remainder of the unexpired term.  If the city council fails to so elect at said meeting or within 30 days thereafter, the president of the city council shall become acting mayor, shall exercise all the rights and powers of mayor and shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of the mayor’s duties.

SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.