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HD 4441

An Act relative to tribal government representation on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Thomas Moakley

The bill transfers one MVC seat from a governor-appointed cabinet member to a representative appointed by the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, formalizing tribal representatio

Referred to the committee on House Rules
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Bill Summary · HD 4441

Summary of House Bill HD 4441

Overview

  • Bill number & title: HD 4441 — An Act relative to tribal government representation on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission
  • Introduced: April 7, 2025
  • Status: Referred to the committee on House Rules
  • Sponsor: Representative Thomas W. Moakley (primary) of Falmouth; district includes Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket
  • Context: The bill proposes changes to the composition of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) as established in Chapter 831 of the Acts of 1977.

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to ensure a formal, representation-based voice for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah (the Indigenous tribe on Martha’s Vineyard) within the MVC by altering the method of appointing a key MVC member. Specifically, it shifts appointment authority from a governor-appointed cabinet member to a representative from the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, appointed by the tribal government. This change institutionalizes tribal government representation on the MVC.

Key provisions

  • Section 1: Amends the second paragraph of section 2 of chapter 831 of the acts of 1977.

    • Change: Replaces the current language “one member of the cabinet, or his designee, appointed by the governor” with:
      “1 representative of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, appointed by the Indian tribal government.”
    • Effect: The governor’s office would no longer designate the representative; instead, the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal government would appoint the MVC member.

  • Section 2: Amends the fifth paragraph of the same section (section 2 of chapter 831).

    • Change: Strikes out the third sentence of the fifth paragraph.
    • Effect: Removes a specific provision currently in that sentence; the exact substantive impact depends on the removed sentence’s content in the original text.

Who is affected

  • Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC): The composition and appointment process for one MVC member will change, replacing a governor-appointed cabinet member with a tribal representative.
  • Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah: Gains a formal mechanism to participate in regional planning and land-use decisions through its appointed representative on the MVC.
  • State governance and agencies: The governor’s office’s direct appointment authority for this MVC seat would be replaced for this position.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Chamber actions: The bill is filed and introduced, then referred to a committee.
  • Current path: Referred to House Rules (as of the latest status).
  • Jurisdiction: Falls under the 2025-2026 session (Ninety-fourth General Court).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Promotes Indigenous representation in regional planning and land-use decisions on Martha’s Vineyard.
  • Shifts a governance mechanism from executive-branch appointment to tribal governance authority for this seat.
  • Could influence MVC deliberations and project outcomes by ensuring tribal perspectives are integrated at the commission level.
  • Implementation will depend on enactment and any accompanying implementing regulations or statutory interpretations.

If you’d like, I can add a short side-by-side comparison of the current language vs. the proposed language to illustrate the exact textual changes.

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

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