An Act DCR Skating Rink Leases

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Lawn and 1 co-sponsor

Gives municipalities a right to notice, negotiate, and potentially lease state-owned skating rinks before the Commonwealth’s standard leasing process.

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

Overview

Bill: H 5567

Session: Massachusetts 194th (2025-2026)

Title: An Act DCR Skating Rink Leases

Purpose: Create a formal process allowing municipalities to have a right of first negotiation/lease regarding state-owned skating rinks, and to authorize lease negotiations with municipalities before state leasing processes proceed.

Main purpose and intent

The bill amends existing law to require notification and early negotiation with municipalities before leasing state-owned ice skating rinks.

It aims to give municipalities the opportunity to lease or participate in leases of skating rinks located within their borders, under terms determined through negotiation, with the goal of enabling locally tailored arrangements for operation, maintenance, and improvement.

Key provisions and changes

Adds a new subsection (f) to Section 52 of Chapter 206 of the acts of 2024.

Before soliciting bids or initiating the standard leasing process under subsection (c), the commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) must notify the relevant municipality in writing of the Commonwealth’s intention to lease the rink.
The commissioner must offer to lease and negotiate other agreements with the municipality under terms and conditions deemed appropriate, including rent and other consideration.
Lease term: may be up to 30 years.
The terms must be consistent with specified conditions (as referenced in subsections (b), (c)(i–xi), and (d)).
If the municipality responds in writing within 30 days of the commissioner's notice indicating its intention to enter into a lease and other agreements, negotiations must promptly commence in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
Negotiations cover use, operation, maintenance, repair, and improvement of the state-owned rink and facility.

Affected entities and stakeholders

Primary: Commonwealth of Massachusetts (DCAMM and DCR) and the municipalities where state-owned skating rinks are located.

Municipal governments: Given the right to receive notice and to negotiate lease terms prior to the Commonwealth’s standard leasing process.

Residents and local users: Potentially benefit from locally tailored management, operation, and maintenance arrangements for skating facilities.

State agencies: DCAMM and DCR, which oversee state property and recreation resources, respectively.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Before any formal leasing solicitation under the standard process (subsection (c)), the DCAMM commissioner must notify the municipality in writing.

The municipality has 30 days to indicate its interest to negotiate.

If the municipality responds affirmatively within 30 days, negotiations must begin promptly with DCAMM and DCR.

The lease term under this provision can be up to 30 years.

The negotiations would cover not only leasing terms but also use, operation, maintenance, repair, and improvements of the rink.

Potential impact and considerations

Might enable more locally informed, potentially community-focused arrangements for state-owned skating rinks.

Could influence the timeline of leasing by introducing a mandatory municipality notification and negotiation phase prior to competitive bidding.

Could affect revenue arrangements (rent/consideration) and responsibility allocations for maintenance and capital improvements, depending on the negotiated terms with municipalities.

Bill