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HD 5303

An Act amending the charter of the city of Pittsfield

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tricia Farley-Bouvier

Amends Pittsfield's charter to change two to four in two provisions, potentially expanding board/commission counts and affecting governance thresholds.

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Bill Summary · HD 5303

Summary: An Act Amending the Charter of the City of Pittsfield (HD 5303)

Overview

HD 5303 is a proposed local bill filed in the Massachusetts General Court to amend the charter of the City of Pittsfield. The measure is introduced by Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier (with the mayor and city council’s approval) and has received local approval in Pittsfield. The bill was filed on October 30, 2025 and assigned House Docket No. 5303 (House No. 4716). The banner indicates the bill is part of the 194th General Court (2025-2026).

Key Provisions

The bill makes two identical structural changes to Pittsfield’s charter, each by amending a subsection labeled “(b)” in different articles:
- Section 1: Amends Section 2-1(b) of Article 2 by changing the word “two” to “four.”
- Section 2: Amends Section 4-1(b) of Article 4 by changing the word “two” to “four.”

The exact entities or governance components affected by these subsections are not specified in the provided text, but the changes consistently raise a numeric count from two to four within two charter provisions.

Who/What is Affected

  • The City of Pittsfield and its municipal governance framework as codified in its charter.
  • Potentially specific boards, committees, or voting/appointment thresholds referenced in Articles 2 and 4 of the charter (the exact subjects of subsections 2-1(b) and 4-1(b) are not detailed in the excerpt).

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Filed: October 30, 2025 (House No. 4716)
  • Introduced: November 29, 2025
  • Status: Local approval is indicated as received (per petition status), suggesting the measure has clearance at the municipal level to proceed in the state legislature.
  • Process: As a local bill amending a city charter, it requires passage by the Massachusetts General Court and the governor’s signature to take effect, following the standard process for local approvals.

Potential Implications

  • By increasing a numeric threshold from two to four in two charter provisions, the bill could affect governance structures such as the size of a board or commission, number of appointees, or required vote configurations within Pittsfield’s municipal government.
  • The change may influence representation, decision-making, or administrative capacity depending on the precise roles governed by Articles 2 and 4.

If needed, a more detailed analysis would require the specific context of the two charter provisions being amended to identify the exact bodies or processes impacted.

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

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