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SD 1496

An Act relative to regional tourism councils

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Joan Lovely

Requires the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund to disburse grants to regional tourism councils by October 1 of the fiscal year they're allocated.

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Bill Summary · SD 1496

Summary: An Act relative to regional tourism councils (Senate Docket No. 1496)

What the bill would do

  • Establishes a hard distribution deadline for grants to regional tourism councils. Specifically, it requires that grants allocated to regional tourism councils through the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund be distributed no later than October 1 of the fiscal year for which they are allocated.
  • The new provision would be added as Section 69 to Chapter 23A, clarifying the timing of grant disbursements tied to the Tourism Trust Fund (established by section 13T of Chapter 23A).

Key provisions

  • Add a new section (Section 69) to Chapter 23A.
  • Source of funding: Grants to regional tourism councils come through the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund (as established in section 13T, Chapter 23A).
  • Deadline: Disbursement deadline of October 1 of the fiscal year for which the grants are allocated.
  • Compliance: The bill sets a mandatory timing requirement but does not specify penalties or remedies for missed deadlines, nor does it alter the grant amounts or eligibility.

Who or what is affected

  • Regional tourism councils that receive grants from the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund.
  • The Commonwealth agency or office that administers the Tourism Trust Fund (the bill references the fund and its allocations but does not detail administrative processes beyond the deadline).

Timelines and procedural notes

  • Status: Introduced and filed in the 2024-2025/2025-2026 session as Senate Bill No. 1496 (Senate Docket No. 1496; Senate No. 2333).
  • Sponsor: Senator Joan B. Lovely (with co-sponsors including Joanne M. Comerford, Michael D. Brady, Bruce E. Tarr).
  • History: Similar measure previously filed in a prior session (Senate No. 2191 in 2023-2024), indicating ongoing policy interest in regional tourism funding timelines.
  • Effective date: Not specified in the text provided; implementation would follow the bill’s enacted date and relevant fiscal year allocations.

Fiscal and administrative considerations

  • By codifying a distribution deadline, the bill could influence cash-flow planning and administrative workflows for the Tourism Trust Fund and regional councils.
  • The measure does not change grant amounts or eligibility criteria, nor does it specify penalties for late distribution; further implementing details would likely be addressed in related guidance or amendments.

Notes

  • This summary reflects the text and context available: a relatively narrow change focused on timing of grant disbursements to regional tourism councils funded via the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund.

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

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