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HD 4043

An Act facilitating access to justice in the city of Cambridge

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Connolly

The bill requires CAMM to prioritize the Executive Office of the Trial Court’s space needs in the former Cambridge probate court site and lease/sell it to EOTC if a demonstrated ne

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Bill Summary · HD 4043

Summary: House Bill HD 4043 — An Act facilitating access to justice in the city of Cambridge

What the bill aims to do

HD 4043 seeks to ensure prioritized, facilitated access to judicial space in Cambridge. Specifically, it directs the state’s capital asset management agency to consider and prioritize the Executive Office of the Trial Court’s (EOTC) space needs when decisions are being made about the former probate court space within the Middlesex South registry of deeds building. If the EOTC demonstrates a need for the space, the agency must sell or lease the space to the EOTC.

Key provisions

  • Supervisory authority and scope: Applies to the former probate court space in the Middlesex South registry of deeds building located in Cambridge.
  • Priority establish­ment: In any decision to lease, sell, or otherwise dispose of the space, the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (CAMM) must consider and prioritize the needs of the EOTC for building space in Cambridge.
  • Response to demonstrated need: If the EOTC demonstrates a need for the space (or any portion thereof), the CAMM Commissioner is required to sell or lease the space to the EOTC.
  • A superseding clause: The provision begins with “Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary,” reinforcing that this priority governs over conflicting laws when disposing of the space.

Who is affected

  • Primary agency affected: Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (CAMM).
  • Primary beneficiary: Executive Office of the Trial Court (EOTC), which would gain prioritized access to the former probate court space if a demonstrated need exists.
  • Location focus: City of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill does not specify a timeline or deadlines. It mandates that CAMM prioritize EOTC needs in disposition decisions and sell/lease to EOTC if a demonstrated need exists.
  • It relies on the EOTC to demonstrate its need to trigger the sale/lease requirement.

Context and status

  • Introduced: November 29, 2025.
  • Filed / Version reference: House Docket No. 4043, filed January 17, 2025; presented by Rep. Mike Connolly (Cambridge).
  • Legislative context: Appears in the 194th General Court (2025-2026) as a proposed bill aiming to facilitate access to justice by prioritizing space for Cambridge-based trial court operations.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text as introduced and may be subject to amendments during the legislative process.

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

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