Bill
H 4204
Haverhill cannot simultaneously hold Mayor, City Councilor, or School Committee and another city office or city-paid job, starting with the 2025 elections.
Purpose and scope
- This bill amends the framework governing elections for city offices in Haverhill, specifically those created under Chapter 195 of the Acts of 2022 (An Act Providing for the Election of At-large and District Councilors and School Committee Members in the City of Haverhill).
- The core intent is to address dual-office/conflict-of-interest concerns by adding a new incompatibility provision for city officials.
Key provisions
- New incompatibility rule (inserted paragraph): At the end of section 2 of Chapter 195, the bill adds that no person may simultaneously hold:
- the offices of Mayor, City Councilor, or School Committee member, and
- another elected or appointed city office, or any city-paid position (i.e., a city salary-paid job or position).
- Exception: The prohibition does not apply to a City Councilor who is serving as acting Mayor.
- Scope of application: The provision is intended to apply to elections starting with the 2025 biennial municipal election.
Effect and impact
- Affects eligibility and tenure for elected city officials in Haverhill (Mayor, City Councilors, School Committee Members) who also hold another city office or a city-paid position.
- Aims to reduce conflicts of interest and ensure that individuals holding one city office are not simultaneously compensated or engaged in another city role that could raise conflicts.
- Local governance impact may include changes to how incumbents pursue or retain multiple city roles and may affect candidates in the 2025 municipal election and onward.
Procedural history and status
- Introduced: June 5, 2025 (House filing date: June 4, 2025).
- Petitioning author: Representative Andres X. Vargas (3rd Essex) with mayor and city council approval.
- Related bill: HD 4792 (replaces; the House Docket referenced as 4792).
- Legislative actions (selected timeline):
- June 5, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Election Laws.
- June 9, 2025: Senate concurrence noted.
- June 30, 2025: Hearing scheduled (July 8, 2025).
- October 15, 2025: Reported favorably by committee; referred to House Steering, Policy and Scheduling.
- November 10, 2025: Reported out of committee; placed in the Orders of the Day; Rules suspended; moved to second and then third reading.
- Current status: Read second and ordered to a third reading (as of the latest actions listed).
Effective date
- Take effect upon passage and apply to city elections beginning with the 2025 biennial municipal election.
Who is affected
- Elected and appointed city officials in Haverhill who might otherwise hold multiple city offices or city-paid positions.
- City governance bodies affected include the Mayor’s office, City Council, and School Committee, along with any other city-paid roles covered by the new provision.
Notes
- The bill explicitly clarifies an exception for City Councilors serving as acting Mayor.
- It is part of local electoral governance reform in Haverhill and is intended to align incentives and reduce potential conflicts within city government.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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