SECTION 1. Chapter 7 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting at the end the following section:-

Section 63

(a )Title This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Municipal Efficiency and Regionalization Act."

(b) Purpose. The purpose of this act is to establish the Office of Municipal Efficiency and Regionalization (OMER) to promote cost-effective governance, foster collaboration among municipalities, and improve the delivery of public services through regionalization and shared resource strategies.

(c ) Definitions: As used in this chapter the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:-

"Office" refers to the Office of Municipal Efficiency and Regionalization.

"Regionalization" refers to the process by which two or more municipalities collaborate to provide shared services or resources to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

"Municipality" refers to any city, town, or local government entity within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

(d) Establishment of the Office (i) The Office of Municipal Efficiency and Regionalization is hereby established within the Administration and Finance. (ii) The Office shall be headed by a Director, appointed by the Governor, who has expertise in municipal management, public administration, or related fields.

(e) Powers and Duties of the Office The Office shall have the following powers and duties: (i) Provide technical assistance and guidance to municipalities on efficiency improvements and regionalization opportunities. (ii) Administer grants and financial incentives to support regionalization projects and shared services initiatives. (iii) Conduct studies and develop reports identifying best practices for municipal efficiency and regional collaboration. (iv) Facilitate inter-municipal agreements and partnerships to achieve economies of scale. (v) Offer training programs for municipal officials and employees on topics related to efficiency, regionalization, and resource optimization. (vi) Evaluate the financial and operational impacts of proposed regionalization initiatives and provide recommendations. (vii) Monitor and report on the progress and outcomes of regionalization efforts funded by the Office.

(f) Funding (i) The Office shall be funded through an annual appropriation by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (i) The Office shall administer the dedicated grant fund, “Efficiency & Regionalization grant program.”

(g) Reporting Requirements (i) The Office shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature detailing its activities, funding allocations, and the outcomes of supported projects. (ii) The report shall include recommendations for further legislative or administrative actions to promote municipal efficiency and regionalization.

SECTION 2.

(a )Effective date This act shall take effect upon its passage. (i) The Governor shall appoint the Director within 90 days of the act’s passage. (ii) The Office shall commence operations within 180 days of the act’s passage.

(b) Severability If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.