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H 3322

An Act relative to regulation of privatization contracts

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Donahue

Narrow MA privatization contracts by exempting agreements that solely provide legal or management consulting services from privatization-contract oversight.

Reporting date extended to Wednesday, December 3, 2025
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Bill Summary · H 3322

Summary: House Bill H.3322 — An Act relative to regulation of privatization contracts

Overview

H.3322, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Daniel M. Donahue (16th Worcester), is an act intended to regulate privatization contracts within Massachusetts. The bill focuses on clarifying the scope of what counts as a privatization contract under Chapter 7, Section 53, and making specific exemptions for certain consulting arrangements. The stated status shows the reporting date has been extended to December 3, 2025.

Key Provisions

  • Amend Section 53 of Chapter 7, General Laws (as in the 2012 Official Edition)

    • The fourth sentence of the definition of “Privatization contract” is struck.
    • It is replaced with the sentence: “An agreement solely to provide legal or management consulting services shall not be considered a privatization contract.”
    • Effect: Agreements that are purely for legal or management consulting services would not be classified as privatization contracts subject to the usual privatization-contract oversight and procedures.

  • Purpose of the amendment

    • Narrow or refine the scope of what counts as a privatization contract.
    • Exclude purely advisory services (legal or management consulting) from being governed as privatization contracts.

Legislative Actions & Timeline

  • Referred to the committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight: February 27, 2025
  • Senate concurrence noted: February 27, 2025
  • Hearing scheduled: May 13, 2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM, in room A-2)
  • Reporting date extended: July 30, 2025 (extended to Wednesday, December 3, 2025)
  • Related bill: HD 1836 (the House version that this bill replaces)

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Affected Entities

    • Commonwealth agencies and departments that enter into privatization contracts.
    • Contractors and vendors engaging in privatization-intended procurements may be subject to existing oversight unless their engagement is limited to legal or management consulting.

  • Practical Impact

    • Clarifies that pure legal or management consulting engagements are not privatization contracts for purposes of oversight, transparency, or procurement rules that apply to privatization agreements.
    • Potentially reduces regulatory overhead for certain advisory services while preserving oversight for other privatization arrangements.

Additional Context

  • This bill is a continuation of similar measures pursued in earlier sessions (previously filed as House 3023 in 2023-2024).
  • The act appears to be focused on the definitional scope of privatization contracts to sharpen regulatory boundaries rather than broad, new procurement mandates.

Summary in One Sentence

H.3322 narrows the definition of privatization contracts by exempting agreements that solely provide legal or management consulting services from privatization-contract oversight, with the extended reporting date indicating continued consideration in 2025.

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

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