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HD 5442

An Act authorizing the town of Plymouth to establish a special revenue account for land acquisition

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Badger

Authorizes Plymouth to create a dedicated Land Acquisition Fund to buy land for recreation/open space, funded by state-revenue deposits, with interest staying in fund.

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Bill Summary · HD 5442

Summary: House Docket No. 5442 — An Act Authorizing the Town of Plymouth to Establish a Special Revenue Account for Land Acquisition

Basic information

  • Bill number: HD 5442
  • Title: An Act authorizing the town of Plymouth to establish a special revenue account for land acquisition
  • Status: Proposed bill (introduced in the 2025-2026 General Court)
  • Introduced: December 2025 (Filed December 16, 2025)
  • Sponsors/Filed by: Michelle L. Badger and Kathleen R. LaNatra

Purpose and intent

This bill authorizes the Town of Plymouth to create and maintain a dedicated special revenue account, called the Land Acquisition Fund, within the town treasury. The fund would be used to acquire interests in land for purposes such as recreation, open space, and other municipal uses. The legislation is designed to provide a stable, council-approved funding mechanism to support land conservation and related public benefits within Plymouth.

Key provisions

  • Establishment of a special revenue account: The town treasury may establish the Land Acquisition Fund as a dedicated account separate from the general fund.
  • Permissible uses: Monies in the Land Acquisition Fund may be appropriated to acquire interests in land for recreation, open space, and other municipal purposes.
  • Sources of funding: The fund would receive deposits from:
    • Amounts received by the town under section 7 of chapter 61 of the General Laws
    • Amounts received under section 13 of chapter 61A of the General Laws
    • Amounts received under section 8 of chapter 61B of the General Laws
  • Interest handling: Interest earned on the fund shall remain in the Land Acquisition Fund (i.e., interest is not to be moved to another fund or distributed elsewhere).
  • Legal override: The act states that, notwithstanding Section 53 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other law to the contrary, Plymouth may establish and operate this fund. This provides explicit permission to deviate from certain general-law requirements to implement the special fund.

Who and what is affected

  • Town of Plymouth: Receives authority to establish and operate the Land Acquisition Fund and to make appropriations from it for land-related acquisitions.
  • Municipal land acquisition programs: Potential source of funding for future acquisitions of land for recreation, open space, and related municipal purposes.
  • Receipts sources (city/town revenue streams): Deposits would come from specific state-generated revenues associated with Chapter 61, 61A, and 61B, expanding the use of those revenues at the local level.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Effective date: The act would take effect upon passage if enacted.
  • Implementation timing: The bill enables immediate creation of the fund upon passage, with funding flowing into the Land Acquisition Fund from eligible state-revenue sources as they are received by the town.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Provides Plymouth a structured, dedicated mechanism to fund land conservation and public-realm land uses.
  • Could improve planning and predictability for open space and recreation projects.
  • Requires local governance to designate trustees or elected officials to manage the Land Acquisition Fund and determine eligible acquisitions and use of proceeds.
  • The bill relies on future receipts from state provisions (Chapter 61, 61A, 61B) to be deposited into the local fund, which may affect funding volatility depending on the status of those revenue streams.

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

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