An Act creating a commission to study the effects of unfunded mandates on municipalities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steven Howitt

Establish a permanent Massachusetts Commission on Unfunded Mandates to catalog costs on municipalities, analyze state/federal mandates, and push mitigation, reporting to leaders.

Accompanied a study order, see H5065

Summary: H 2285 — An Act creating a commission to study the effects of unfunded mandates on municipalities

Purpose and intent

Establish a permanent Commission on Unfunded Mandates on Municipalities to identify, quantify, and assess the costs and impacts of unfunded mandates on local government.

Provide an independent voice for municipalities in relations with state and federal authorities, with the goal of mitigating adverse effects from mandates.

Key provisions

Creation and statute: Inserts new Section 25 into Chapter 39 of the General Laws (as appears in the 2022 edition).

Commission composition (7 members):

Three members appointed by the Governor (one must be a municipal official and shall serve as co-chair).
The Director of the Division of Local Mandates (also serves as co-chair).
One member nominated by the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
One member nominated by the Massachusetts Treasurer’s and Collector’s Association.
One member nominated by the Massachusetts Town Clerk’s Association.

Terms and compensation:

Each member serves a two-year term from appointment.
Vacancies filled to complete the unexpired term.
Members serve without compensation.

** core duties**:

Compile a list of unfunded mandates and their costs to municipal government; file the list with the clerks of the Senate and House along with proposals to mitigate effects.
Review and analyze all unfunded local mandates from state and federal authorities; deliver an economic impact report to the Governor and to the majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate.
Act as an independent advocate for local governments in their state and federal relations.
Promulgate rules and regulations governing its procedures and those of the executive committee.
Perform additional like services as decided by the Commission.

Who would be affected

Primarily municipalities and local governments in Massachusetts, as well as state agencies and federal authorities whose mandates impact municipalities.

The Commission itself, consisting of appointed officials and representatives from municipal associations and clerks/treasure associations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: February 27, 2025.

Filed: January 14, 2025 (House No. 2285).

Committee: Referred to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government (Feb. 27, 2025).

Status and hearings:

Hearing originally scheduled; repeatedly rescheduled with updated times.
Most recently, hearing scheduled for July 29, 2025 in Gardner Auditorium (with a virtual option and updated end times).

Historical note: Similar measure previously filed (House No. 2070 in 2023-2024).

Notable considerations

The bill envisions a formal process for cataloging unfunded mandates, assessing their financial impact, and proposing mitigation strategies.

There is no explicit appropriation included in the bill; fiscal effects would depend on future funding decisions.

The commission’s findings and recommendations would be submitted to legislative leadership and the Governor, potentially informing policy responses to unfunded mandates.