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April 15, 2026 Clouds | 70°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Bill S.66 194th (Current)

An Act relative to a municipality’s right of first refusal of agricultural and recreational land

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 66) of Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to a municipality’s right of first refusal of agricultural and recreational land. Agriculture.

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Bill Information

Presenter:
Michael O. Moore
Status:
Referred to Senate Committee on Rules

Emergency Preamble

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to ensure a municipality’s option to preserve certain lands, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

Municipality's Right of First Refusal

Under current Massachusetts law, cities and towns are allowed to exercise their right of first refusal of agricultural and recreational land when a property owner seeks to sell or use land for non-agricultural or recreational purposes. This bill would extend the existing time period for a municipality to exercise its right of first refusal and fulfill a purchase and sale contract and, establish a 30-day timeline in which the seller may accept the purchase and sale agreement. By lengthening the time municipalities have to make decisions about agricultural lands, we will provide the necessary time for our municipalities to work through municipal requirements, giving our communities more flexibly and influence in how their communities grow.
* The bill summary was created by the Primary Sponsor of the bill; no committee of the General Court certifies the accuracy of its contents.

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