Bill

H 2297

An Act relative to protecting municipalities from unfunded mandates

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Arciero and 4 co-sponsors

Bill H 2297 protects Massachusetts municipalities from unfunded mandates by requiring funding for any legislation that imposes costs on them, ensuring fiscal responsibility.

Accompanied a study order, see H5065

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Bill Summary · H 2297

Summary of Bill H 2297: An Act Relative to Protecting Municipalities from Unfunded Mandates

Purpose and Intent

Bill H 2297 aims to protect municipalities in Massachusetts from the financial burden of unfunded mandates imposed by state legislation. The bill seeks to ensure that any legislation that requires municipalities to incur costs will be accompanied by a fiscal note, detailing the financial implications, and will not be enacted without appropriate funding.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces a new section (38B½) to Chapter 3 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, which includes the following provisions:

Definition of Unfunded Mandate:
- An unfunded mandate is defined as any legislation that imposes costs on municipal governments, including expenses for staffing necessary to implement the legislation.
Fiscal Notes Requirement:
- Joint committees of the General Court, along with the committees on ways and means, must attach a fiscal note or study to any bill that contains an unfunded mandate before it can receive a favorable report. This fiscal note must clearly outline the costs associated with the mandate.
Funding Requirement:
- The General Court is prohibited from enacting any legislation that imposes costs on municipalities unless there is an appropriation to cover those costs. This ensures that municipalities are not left to bear the financial burden of state mandates without adequate funding.

Impact

Municipal Governments: The bill directly affects cities and towns in Massachusetts by providing them with financial protection against unfunded mandates. It aims to promote fiscal responsibility and transparency in state legislation.
State Legislature: The bill imposes additional procedural requirements on the General Court, ensuring that any proposed legislation that could financially impact municipalities is carefully evaluated and funded.

Procedural Aspects

Introduced: February 27, 2025
Hearing Scheduled: The bill has a hearing rescheduled for July 29, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 6:05 PM in Gardner Auditorium, with a virtual option available.
Committee Referral: The bill was referred to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government upon introduction.

Related Legislation

This bill is related to House Docket No. 273, which was filed in the previous legislative session (2023-2024) as House No. 2073.

This summary provides an overview of Bill H 2297, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential impact on municipalities and the legislative process in Massachusetts.

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