Budget Amendment ID: FY2020-S3-43

OTH 43

MA Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Messrs. Collins and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by adding the following new section:

"Section XX. There shall be a special commission to study Race and Race Reconciliation in Massachusetts. The commission shall consist of the following members: 3 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall serve as co-chair appointed by the Senate President, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; 3 members of the House of Representatives, 1 of whom shall serve as co-chair, appointed by the Speaker, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; the Mayor of Boston or a designee; and 4 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be selected from a list of 3 persons nominated by the NAACP; 1 of whom shall be selected from a list of 3 persons nominated by The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights;  1 of whom shall be selected from a list of 3 persons nominated by the New Democracy Coalition; and 1 of whom shall be selected from a list of 3 persons nominated by the Urban League of Massachusetts.

The commission shall investigate and study the history of race relations in Massachusetts, including but not limited to: slavery and interactions with slave-fueled-industries; immigration and emigration; and institutionalized racism; as well as identify possible areas of legislative solutions, including ameliorative race-based policies .The commission may solicit statewide testimony, hold public hearings, and promote public events and conversations related to race reconciliation. The commission shall report its findings, including any proposed legislation, to the chairs of the senate and house committees on Ways and Means, and the Secretary of Administration and Finance not later than December 31, 2020."