Bill
HD 1935
Creates a special commission to study and streamline MA municipal business licenses, holds hearings, and reports proposed licensing reforms to the Legislature by March 1, 2027.
Overview
- Purpose: Establish a special commission to study and recommend ways to streamline municipal licenses for businesses in Massachusetts. The goal is to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary burdens in the licensing process at the municipal level.
- Scope: Focuses on the process and procedures for issuing municipal business licenses and related regulatory steps, with the aim of streamlining operations without changing overall regulatory objectives.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of a Special Commission
- Creates a special commission to study the streamlining of municipal licenses for businesses.
- The commission is charged with examining the licensing process and identifying ways to streamline procedures across municipalities.
- Membership
- Co-Chairs: The chairs of the joint Committee on Housing, Community Development, and Small Businesses (designated as co-chairs) will lead the commission.
- Additional members:
- 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives
- 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate
- 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
- Activities and Public Engagement
- The commission must hold at least three public hearings.
- It shall solicit input from the public and businesses on municipal licensing processes and potential streamlining measures.
- Deliverables and Timeline
- The commission must submit a report to the Legislature detailing its findings and recommending legislative updates to Massachusetts licensing laws.
- Deadline: March 1, 2027.
Who Is Affected
- Businesses: Potential licensing processes may be streamlined, which could shorten license approvals and reduce administrative hurdles.
- Municipalities and local licensing authorities: Subject to recommendations that could require changes to procedures, timelines, forms, and inter-agency coordination.
- General public and stakeholders: Given opportunities to provide input during public hearings and through the commission’s outreach.
Procedural and Timeline Aspects
- Status and origin: Introduced as House Bill 2311; filed January 15, 2025, by Representative Paul McMurtry of Dedham.
- Committee/procedure: Establishes a standing assignment to study and report; potential legislative changes would follow the commission’s recommendations.
- Sunset/Duration: The bill’s explicit directive centers on producing a report by March 1, 2027; no separate sunset date for the commission is stated beyond its report deadline.
Notes
- The bill adds a new section to Chapter 40 of the General Laws creating this commission.
- It emphasizes collaboration among lawmakers, state agencies, and major business groups to inform a comprehensive set of licensing reforms.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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