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H 2889

An Act relative to regional planning agencies

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Arciero and 8 co-sponsors

Extends state retirement system to nine regional planning agencies, making their employees eligible for state pension benefits.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 2889

Summary: H.2889 — An Act relative to regional planning agencies

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to extend the Massachusetts state retirement system to certain regional planning agencies (RPAs) by inserting a new Section 31 into Chapter 40B. The core goal is to formally classify these RPAs as members (or continued members) of the state retirement system, aligning their employee retirement status with other public employees.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definition of “Agency”: The bill lists nine regional planning entities as covered agencies:
    • Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
    • Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission
    • Franklin Regional Council of Governments
    • Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
    • Montachusett Regional Planning Commission
    • Northern Middlesex Council of Governments
    • Old Colony Planning Council
    • Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
    • Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District
  • Retirement system membership (Section 31(b)): Any agency that is a member of the state retirement system (per Chapter 32) shall be deemed to be or shall continue to be a member. This provides formal eligibility for retirement benefits for employees of these RPAs.
  • No annual reimbursement of past pro rata contributions (Section 31(c)): An agency is not required to reimburse the state pension board for its pro rata share of retirement allowances or pensions paid in the prior year, provided the agency maintains and contributes the required accumulated deductions and interest to its own annuity savings accounts.
  • No liability for past due contributions (Section 31(d)): Agencies shall not be held liable for any past due retirement contributions.

Affected entities

  • The nine named regional planning agencies listed in the bill. This change affects how their employees participate in the state retirement system and how contributions and benefits are managed relative to the state framework.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and filing: February 27, 2025 (House Bill 2889; filed January 15, 2025).
  • Initial committee action: Referred to the Committee on Public Service (February 27, 2025).
  • Hearing: Scheduled for April 14, 2025 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM in A-1).
  • Legislative progress: Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Ways and Means on October 2, 2025. Also noted as having Senate concurrence in February 2025 (-legislative actions section shows multi-step activity across chambers).

Financial and policy impact

  • Policy effect: Codifies RPAs as participants in the state retirement system, ensuring eligibility for employee retirement benefits.
  • Fiscal effect on RPAs: Agencies are required to contribute to their own annuity savings accounts (accumulated deductions and interest). They are not required to reimburse the state retirement system for prior year pro rata pension costs.
  • Fiscal effect on the state retirement system: The change clarifies membership and funding obligations for RPAs, potentially shifting some administrative responsibilities to the RPAs’ own contributions while eliminating annual reimbursement requirements.

Notes

  • The bill is a targeted change to Chapter 40B by adding a new Section 31, explicitly applying to the specified regional planning agencies.
  • Related bill reference: HD 1481 is listed as replacing the prior version.

This summary presents the bill’s substance and potential impact in clear terms for both policy specialists and general readers.

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

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