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SD 388

An Act to sell naming rights to properties operated by the MCCA

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Montigny

The bill authorizes the MCCA to sell naming rights and sponsorships for its assets to fund tourism and cultural programming, with revenues split between the Tourism Trust Fund and

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 388

Summary of Massachusetts Senate Bill SD 388 (An Act to sell naming rights to properties operated by the MCCA)

Basic information

  • Bill number: SD 388
  • Title: An Act to sell naming rights to properties operated by the MCCA
  • Status: House concurred
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Committee: Referred to State Administration and Regulatory Oversight (and later action reflected in House concurrence)

Purpose and intent

The bill authorizes the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) to actively pursue and monetize naming rights and sponsorships for properties and assets it owns and operates, including but not limited to entire buildings, facilities, parking garages, function rooms, public areas, and other assets. Revenue generated from these naming rights would be directed to support tourism and cultural programming across the Commonwealth.

Key provisions

New Section 3A (amendment to Chapter 195 of 2014)

  • Authority to solicit naming/sponsorship rights: The Authority must issue requests for proposals (RFPs) to sell, license, or lease naming or sponsorship rights for its assets to maximize revenue for tourism and cultural programming.
  • Scope of assets: Applies to all buildings, facilities, parking garages, function rooms, public areas, and other assets owned by the Authority. There is no hard cap on which assets may qualify, beyond those that are already named or already under a licensing/sponsorship agreement as of December 31, 2024 (with an exception described below).
  • Exemption for existing agreements: The Authority is not required to issue proposals for assets that are already named or under a licensing/sponsorship as of 12/31/2024 unless the opportunity is located within a previously named asset.
  • Revenue use: all revenues generated under this section must be split evenly between:
    • Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund (per section 13T of chapter 23A), and
    • Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund (per section 42 of chapter 23G).
  • RFP timeframe: Each RFP must remain open for a minimum of 120 days.

Implementation timeline (Section 2)

  • The Authority must issue the initial RFP within 180 days after enactment.
  • Additional proposals can be issued as needed to maximize revenue under Section 1.

Who is affected

  • Primary entity: Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), which would oversee the sale/licensing/lease of naming rights.
  • Public funds receiving revenue:
    • Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund (to support tourism-related programming and initiatives)
    • Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund (to support arts and cultural facilities)
  • Potential sponsors/partners: Private sector entities interested in naming rights for MCCA assets.
  • Public/public-facing assets: Buildings, facilities, parking, function spaces, and related public areas operated by the MCCA.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective action: If enacted, the MCCA would begin issuing RFPs within 180 days of enactment and continue as needed to maximize revenue.
  • RFP window: Each solicitation must stay open for at least 120 days.
  • Public policy consideration: The bill formalizes a commercialization pathway for public assets to support tourism and culture, via naming rights revenue.

Overall assessment

SD 388 would formalize a structured approach for monetizing naming rights on MCCA assets, with a clear revenue split to support tourism and cultural programming, and with defined procedural timelines for issuing RFPs. It preserves existing named assets and sponsorships, while enabling new opportunities for revenue generation through branding and sponsorships.

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

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