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H 2311

An Act relative to establishing a commission to study municipal licenses.

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul McMurtry

Creates a MA commission to study and streamline municipal business licenses, holds 3+ public hearings, and reports findings and legislative recommendations by March 1, 2027.

Discharged to the committee on House Rules
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Bill Summary · H 2311

Summary: H.2311 — An Act relative to establishing a commission to study municipal licenses

Overview

H.2311 proposes creating a special commission tasked with studying and recommending ways to streamline municipal licenses for businesses in Massachusetts. The goal is to identify process improvements across municipalities and provide legislative recommendations to update the Commonwealth’s licensing laws. The commission would report to the Legislature by March 1, 2027.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment of a special commission to study streamlining of municipal licenses for businesses.
  • The commission is authorized to examine the licensing processes and procedures used by municipalities and to develop recommendations to simplify and accelerate those processes.
  • The commission must hold at least three public hearings and actively solicit input from the public and businesses.

Commission Composition

The commission would consist of:
- The chairs of the joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses (serving as co-chairs).
- 1 member appointed by the House minority leader.
- 1 member appointed by the Senate minority leader.
- The Secretary of Housing and Economic Development or a designee.
- 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
- 1 member appointed by the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.
- 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).
- 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association.

Public Hearings and Input

  • The commission must hold at least three public hearings.
  • It must solicit input from the public and from businesses regarding the licensing process and potential streamlining measures.

Reporting and Timeline

  • The commission is required to submit a report to the Legislature detailing its findings and any legislative recommendations to update Massachusetts licensing laws.
  • Target date for the report: March 1, 2027.

Legislative History and Status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government on Feb 27, 2025.
  • Senate concurrence noted on Feb 27, 2025.
  • Hearing scheduled: June 24, 2025.
  • July 10, 2025: Reported favorably by the committee and referred to the Committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently.
  • August 4, 2025: Discharged to the Committee on House Rules (status provided by the bill’s record).

Related Bills

  • HD 1935 (the same measure; House Docket No. 1935) is listed as related or replacing this bill.

Affected Parties

  • Businesses seeking municipal licenses (e.g., local permits for operations).
  • Municipal governments and their licensing processes.
  • Stakeholder groups included in the commission (Chambers of commerce, trade associations, and advocacy organizations such as the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, NFIB, and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association).

Potential Impact

  • If enacted, the bill could lead to a formal review of licensing workflows across municipalities and produce legislative recommendations to streamline processes, reduce administrative burden, and potentially harmonize or simplify licensing requirements statewide. The outcomes would depend on the commission’s findings and subsequent legislative action.

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

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