Bill
HD 2714
Requires labor representation and voting rights on joint purchasing group committees for government trusts or joint purchases, with at least 25% labor reps and a retiree member.
Overview
- Bill number and title: HD 2714, An Act relative to fair worker representation on joint purchasing group committees.
- Introduced: The bill was filed in January 2025 (House, No. 2999) by Representative Steven G. Xiarhos (Barnstable). It is listed for the 2025-2026 legislative session (the 194th General Court).
- Status: Proposed legislation (no final status provided in the text available).
Purpose and intent
- The bill seeks to ensure that workers have a formal voice on joint purchasing group committees formed when a government agency enters into a trust or joint purchase agreement. It aims to institutionalize labor representation and voting power on governing bodies that oversee shared procurement arrangements.
Key provisions
- Amendment to law: Section 12 of Chapter 32B of the General Laws (as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition) would be amended.
- Trigger: The requirements apply “Should a governmental agency enter into a trust or joint purchase agreement.”
- Board and steering committee: A board and steering committee must be established that includes members from the appropriate public authorities.
- Labor representation: At least 25% of the committee members must be labor representatives. These labor representatives must be elected from a list of representatives nominated by the collective bargaining units.
- Retiree representation: At least one retiree from one of the governmental units must be appointed by the Retired State, County, and Municipal Association of Massachusetts.
- Voting rights: All members of the board and steering committee are to be considered voting members.
- Scope: The provision specifically governs joint purchasing arrangements and trusts involving government agencies, placing a minimum labor voice into their governance structure.
Who is affected
- Government agencies entering into trusts or joint purchase agreements.
- Labor organizations and their members, via elected labor representatives.
- Retiree organizations associated with state, county, and municipal governments (through appointment by the Retired State, County, and Municipal Association of Massachusetts).
Procedural and timeline notes
- The bill is part of the 2025-2026 session (194th General Court) and reflects similar matter previously filed in the 2023-2024 session (House Bill No. 2687).
- Specific appropriations or effective dates are not provided in the summary; the text indicates the governance change would apply to future joint purchasing arrangements entered into after enactment.
Impact considerations
- Potential benefits: Strengthened worker voice in procurement decisions, enhanced transparency, and broader stakeholder engagement in joint purchasing.
- Potential challenges: Administrative complexity and possible shifts in procurement decision-making dynamics due to formalized labor and retiree representation.
Notes
- No explicit fiscal impact estimate is included in the provided text. Further analysis would be needed to assess funding, implementation costs, and potential procurement outcomes.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
