AN ACT AUTHORIZING SAUGUS TOWN MEETING TO ADOPT A PROCESS TO ALLOW NON-BINDING RESOLUTIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding section 10 of chapter 39 of the General Laws, the town of Saugus may adopt a by-law to permit any town meeting member to propose a non-binding resolution for consideration by the town meeting by submitting a written or electronic notice to the clerk of the town not less than 48 hours prior to the town meeting, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The clerk shall promptly notify the moderator of the town upon receipt of a non-binding resolution and forward the non-binding resolution to town meeting members.
(b) Non-binding resolutions authorized pursuant to this act shall not: (i) appropriate funds; (ii) propose zoning or general by-law changes; or (iii) have any binding effect on the operations of town government.
(c) Non-binding resolutions authorized pursuant to this act shall be considered statements of opinion in accordance with past practice of the town and shall not be considered as actions of the town meeting for purposes of said section 10 of said chapter 39. Consistent with the criteria set forth in subsections (a) and (b), such non-binding resolutions shall be acted upon during the next town meeting or upon resumption of a town meeting that had been temporarily adjourned, whichever comes first; provided, however, that a majority vote of the quorum of the town meeting shall be required to adopt a non-binding resolution. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved, October 5, 2022.