An Act clarifying the operation of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 2 co-sponsors

S.3055 formalizes the Franklin Regional Council of Governments as the official regional governing body for Franklin County, with charter-based governance and potential new member m

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

Purpose and Intent

Establishes and clarifies the existence, status, and governance of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG).

Declares that, notwithstanding any existing law to the contrary, there shall be a Franklin Regional Council of Governments serving as the regional body politic and corporate for municipalities within Franklin County and any additional municipalities granted membership by the council.

Directs the FRCOG to operate pursuant to a charter established under the governing framework for regional councils of governments.

Key Provisions

Creation and Authority of FRCOG

The bill affirms the FRCOG as a regional body politic and corporate entity for Franklin County municipalities.
It explicitly overrides potential conflicting provisions in Section 567 of Chapter 151 of the Acts of 1996 or any other general or special law, to ensure the FRCOG’s formal existence and status.

Membership and Scope

The FRCOG would include municipalities within Franklin County.
The bill allows for the addition of municipalities that the FRCOG council grants membership to, expanding or modifying the council’s jurisdiction as determined by the council itself.

Governing Charter

The FRCOG is to operate under a charter pursuant to Section 20 of Chapter 34B of the General Laws, aligning the council’s governance with the statutory framework for regional councils of governments in Massachusetts.

Who is Affected

Municipalities within Franklin County: The council is recognized as their regional governing body for purposes defined by the FRCOG charter.

Potential Member Municipalities: Other towns or cities may join the FRCOG if granted membership by the council.

FRCOG Itself: Must operate under the specified charter framework and assume responsibilities as the regional body-political entity.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

The bill was filed in February 2026 (Senate Docket No. 3676) and is part of the 194th General Court (2025-2026).

Action history indicates:

Referred to the Committee on Rules (2/12/2026) and concurrently to Municipalities and Regional Government (2/25/2026).
The House concurred with the bill on 4/13/2026.

Notable legal effect: The bill would implement retroactive or current status by statutory declaration that FRCOG exists and operates under the designated charter framework, superseding any conflicting laws.

Notable Details

No fiscal impact analysis or funding provisions are included in the text provided.

The bill is concise, with emphasis on confirming the FRCOG’s existence and governing structure, rather than detailing programs or specific services.

Bottom Line

S.3055 seeks to formalize and clarify the Franklin Regional Council of Governments as the official regional governing body for Franklin County municipalities, allowing for membership expansion and requiring operation under a charter established under Massachusetts law for regional councils of governments.

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