Resolve establishing a commission to study energy rate procurement related to investor-owned utilities and consumer relief

Bay Staters deserve more transparency in how utilities set their gas and electricity rates — especially after this winter’s rate hikes.

This legislation would create a commission, comprised of legislative leaders, consumer advocates, and industry representatives, that would study and draft legislation to:

• Reform regulations and policies that govern how energy rates are set by investor-owned utilities in Massachusetts

• Establish an emergency interest-free payment plan program for Bay Staters who receive service through an investor-owned utility

An Act relative to local approval for charter schools

This legislation gives communities a role in the establishment of charter schools in their area — a process that can dramatically impact traditional public school funding issues. The bill requires a vote from either a school committee or city council to approve the placement of a charter school that would draw significantly from that community.

An Act protecting safety net access for Massachusetts residents

This legislation would require strict benchmarks be met before closing or moving community service offices, including:

• At least 120 days for legislators, local leaders, and the community to comment

• Detailed data, proposals, and plans for how the closure or relocating of the office affects the community and how low-income and underserved residents will be able to access the next closest location

An Act relative to the timely and consistent payment of law enforcement personnel

This legislation ensures that awarding authorities are responsible for the payment of police details and the associated recordkeeping. This proposal would guarantee payment for law enforcement personnel, improve bid pricing, and allow for greater cost control and prevent certain project delays.

An Act establishing local emergency management agencies

This bill allows municipalities to establish Local Emergency Management Agencies. These agencies would be organized and run by a director, who would report directly to the municipality’s appointing authority (Mayor or City manager for a city, or the Town Manager or Town Administrator in towns). The agency would have the authority to utilize and coordinate the services, equipment, supplies, and facilities of the town in response. This legislation would only take effect in the case of a declaration of a state of emergency by the appointing authority and would be superseded by any declaration made by the Governor.

An Act to add law enforcement councils to the Massachusetts TORT Claims Act

This legislation would add law enforcement councils to the definition of public employer in GL 258:1, the statute governing claims and indemnity procedures for public employees.

An Act investigating the economic impact of certain Massachusetts laws

This legislation would create a commission to study the impact of minimum pricing laws, especially in comparison to neighboring states.

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

In 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. Existing timelines, however, are short and make it difficult for a municipality to effectively conduct the required due diligence of a potential land acquisition — particularly in communities that have a town meeting form of government.

This legislation would extend the existing time period a municipality may exercise its right of first refusal and fulfill a purchase and sale contract, if they choose to do so. The bill also establishes a 30-day timeline in which the seller may accept the purchase and sale agreement.

The bill also seeks to clarify the existing law by ensuring that communities are not required to purchase land that is not classified under Chapter 61A or Chapter 61B, even if the non-61A or non-61B property is included within the same purchase and sale agreement provided to the municipality by the landowner.

An Act exempting officers in the town of Millbury police department from the civil service law

This legislation would exempt officers working for the Millbury Police Department from civil service law.

Resolve establishing a special commission on the Dover amendment

This legislation establishes a special commission to study the use and effectiveness of the zoning approval process of educational uses under the so-called Dover Amendment, section 3 of chapter 40A of the General Laws. The commission would study the impact of the education exemption provided by the Dover Amendment on municipalities and nonprofit education institutions, which shall include a review of the types of building projects sited under the protection of the Dover Amendment and the case law decided on the educational exemption.