An Act authorizing the division of capital asset management and maintenance to convey certain parcels of land to the city of Framingham

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jack Lewis and 1 co-sponsor

Authorizes DCAMM to convey two Framingham parcels to the city for nominal consideration after a regional justice center is completed and surplus to court needs, with no warranties.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means

Overview

H.3418 would authorize DCAMM (the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance) to convey two adjacent parcels of land in Framingham to the City of Framingham for nominal consideration, subject to specified conditions. The conveyance would be made without warranties by the Commonwealth and without restrictions on future use or conveyance by the city. The act includes an emergency preface, indicating an immediate effect to facilitate the transfer.

Purpose and Rationale

To transfer parcels previously acquired by the Commonwealth for a building for the First District Court of Southern Middlesex to the City of Framingham.

The transfer is conditioned on the completion of a regional justice center at 121 Union Avenue and a determination that the parcels are surplus to the needs of the trial court.

The city would receive the parcels to support local uses, subject to the Commonwealth’s stipulations and future conditions determined by DCAMM and the trial court administrator.

Key Provisions

Parcels involved: Located at 600 and 602 Concord Street, Framingham; described in deeds recorded in Middlesex South Registry (book 7816, page 107 and book 9859, page 328).

Conveyance entity: The Commissioner of DCAMM, in consultation with the Trial Court Administrator.

Timing: Conveyance may occur only after (a) completion of the regional justice center at 121 Union Avenue, and (b) a determination that the parcels are surplus to the trial court’s needs.

Terms of conveyance: Deed transfer without warranties or representations by the Commonwealth and without restrictions on use or future conveyance by the City. Additional conditions or restrictions may be imposed by DCAMM in consultation with the Trial Court Administrator.

Boundary determination: DCAMM may determine the exact parcel boundaries prior to conveyance.

Costs: The City of Framingham would bear all costs of the transaction (engineering, surveys, appraisals, title work, recording fees, deed preparation, etc.).

Affected Parties

City of Framingham: Recipient of the parcels; bears all transactional costs.

Commonwealth (DCAMM): Transferor; retains authority to set conditions and determine boundaries; transfers with no warranties.

Trial Court Administrator: Participates in determining surplus status and approves conditions.

First District Court of Southern Middlesex: Original purpose of the parcels; future use tied to regional justice center timing.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Introduced: February 27, 2025.

Legislative status: Referred to the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee; subsequently reported favorably by committee and referred to House Ways and Means (as of July 24, 2025). A hearing was scheduled for April 9, 2025.

Emergency provision: The act includes an emergency preface, signaling immediate effect upon enactment.

Related legislation: Similar matter previously filed in 2023-2024 (House No. 3830).

Implications and Impact

Expedited transfer of public land to a municipal entity, with financial relief to the Commonwealth (nominal consideration) but responsibility for all conveyance costs on the city.

The conveyance is contingent on the completion of a regional justice center and the parcels’ surplus status, ensuring alignment with court system needs.

The absence of warranties or use restrictions shifts certain risks to the city but allows flexible future use under conditions set by DCAMM and the trial court administrator.

Bill