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Bill

Bill

SD 48

An Act to enhance cooperative purchasing opportunities for cities and towns

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Moore and 1 co-sponsor

Expands municipal cooperative purchasing authority to reduce costs for cities and towns through bulk procurement agreements and shared vendor negotiations.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 48

Legislative bill overview

SD 48 expands cooperative purchasing authority for Massachusetts municipalities by allowing cities and towns to pool resources and negotiate bulk purchases through established cooperative agreements. The bill streamlines procurement processes and enables smaller municipalities to access better pricing typically available only to larger entities through economies of scale.

Why is this important

Cooperative purchasing can significantly reduce municipal spending on goods and services, freeing up limited tax revenues for other priorities like schools and infrastructure. Smaller towns particularly benefit from accessing competitive pricing and reducing administrative costs associated with individual procurement processes.

Potential points of contention

  • Reduced local procurement control: Municipalities cede some purchasing decisions to cooperative agreements, potentially limiting ability to support local vendors or enforce specific community standards
  • Vendor competition concerns: Larger cooperative agreements may reduce the number of qualifying vendors, potentially limiting choice and innovation in the marketplace
  • Administrative complexity: Establishing and managing cooperative purchasing frameworks requires upfront coordination and governance structures that some municipalities may find burdensome

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

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