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SD 314

An Act adding an Indigenous member to the Massachusetts Historical Commission

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dylan Fernandes

Adds one Indigenous seat to the Massachusetts Historical Commission, filled from two nominees (one per federally recognized tribe) to ensure Indigenous representation.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 314

Summary: An Act adding an Indigenous member to the Massachusetts Historical Commission (SD 314)

Purpose and intent

This bill seeks to enhance Indigenous representation on the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) by adding a dedicated Indigenous seat. It would ensure Indigenous perspectives are included in decisions about state historic preservation, archaeology, and related matters.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 26 of Chapter 9 of the General Laws:
    • Replaces the current phrase “11 persons” with “12 persons,” increasing the size of the MHC from 11 to 12 members.
  • Adds an Indigenous member:
    • Inserts a new provision after the term “Antiquities” that creates one Indigenous seat.
    • The Indigenous member would be chosen from a list of two nominees, with each nominee submitted by one of the two federally recognized tribes in Massachusetts. The two tribes are the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).

Representation and selection

  • The bill expressly ensures Indigenous representation by requiring the Indigenous seat to be filled from nominees submitted by the two federally recognized tribes in the Commonwealth.
  • The proposed mechanism envisions a slate of two nominees (one from each tribe) from which one member would be appointed to the MHC.

Who is affected

  • The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC): adds one new seat, increasing total membership to 12.
  • The two federally recognized tribes in Massachusetts (Mashpee Wampanoag and Aquinnah Wampanoag): gain a formal process to nominate a representative to the MHC.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 314).
  • Legislative actions:
    • February 27, 2025: House concurred and the measure was referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
  • Sponsorship: Dylan A. Fernandes (primary).
  • Status: House concurred; subject to standard gubernatorial signing or veto process to become law.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Substance: The bill formalizes Indigenous representation within the MHC, potentially influencing deliberations on preservation priorities, site determinations, and interpretation of Indigenous history.
  • Implementation: The two-nominee submission requirement provides a defined pathway for selecting the Indigenous member, but details such as term length, removal, quorum, voting, and potential conflict-of-interest provisions are not specified in the text provided.
  • Fiscal: No explicit appropriation or fiscal impact is stated in the bill text.

In sum, SD 314 proposes a modest but meaningful structural change to the Massachusetts Historical Commission by adding an Indigenous seat elected from nominees supplied by Massachusetts’ two federally recognized tribes, thereby institutionalizing Indigenous representation in historical stewardship.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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