Bill
H 3989
Expands automatic and potential new designations of “seasonal communities” to certain counties, with criteria, local acceptance votes, and annual reporting on impacts and benefits.
Note on documents provided
- The text package supplied contains two distinct items combined in one file: (A) a Massachusetts bill titled “An Act relative to designating seasonal communities” (filed by Rep. Kip A. Diggs) and (B) a South Carolina ceremonial House resolution congratulating the Carolina Forest High School wrestling team. These are separate legislative instruments from different jurisdictions. H.3989 (House Docket No. 2434) refers to the Massachusetts measure described in section A below. The South Carolina resolution is a separate, ceremonial enactment summarized in section B for completeness.
Primary purpose and intent
- To formalize and expand the state executive office’s ability to designate municipalities as “seasonal communities,” automatically designate certain counties’ municipalities, set criteria for additional designations, require municipal acceptance votes, and require an annual report on impacts and benefits. The bill is declared an emergency law.
Key provisions and changes
- Amends Section 32 of Chapter 23B (as added by 2024 Acts) by replacing subsection (b):
- All municipalities located in Dukes, Nantucket, Barnstable, and Berkshire counties shall automatically receive the “seasonal community” designation.
- The executive office may designate additional municipalities based on specific factors:
1. High rate of short‑term rentals relative to overall housing inventory.
2. Significant seasonal increase in visitor population.
3. Large disparity between area median income (AMI) and the income needed to buy the municipality’s median‑priced home.
4. High percentage of housing used seasonally/occasionally/recreationally or not used as the owner’s primary residence.
5. Large monthly employment variation across the year relative to a minimum employment threshold.
- A municipality designated by the executive office must accept or reject the designation by vote of its legislative body.
- The secretary must consult with the advisory council (subsection (c)) when reviewing additional municipalities.
- All designated municipalities become eligible for benefits, funding, and regulatory adjustments available to seasonal communities under the statute.
- Adds subsection (i):
- The executive office must prepare and submit an annual report (by December 31 each year) that:
1. Identifies benefits provided to municipalities in Dukes, Nantucket, Barnstable, and Berkshire counties from the designation;
2. Monitors housing and economic conditions in those counties;
3. Provides recommendations and possible legislation to improve the seasonal community designation.
- Reports are submitted to the chairs of the joint committee on housing and the clerks of the House and Senate.
Who is affected
- Municipal governments and residents in Dukes, Nantucket, Barnstable, and Berkshire counties (automatic designation).
- Additional municipalities that meet the statutory criteria (subject to a municipal legislative‑body vote).
- Stakeholders in housing markets: homeowners, renters, short‑term rental operators, local employers dependent on seasonal labor, housing advocates, and developers.
- State executive office and advisory council (in implementation, monitoring, and reporting).
Procedural/timeline aspects
- Declared an emergency law (intended for immediate effect upon enactment).
- Filing/introductory dates in the provided docket: filed 1/16/2025; referred to House Committee on Housing (4/03/2025); Senate concurred (4/07/2025); hearing scheduled for 10/15/2025 (01:00–05:00 PM, room A‑1).
- Annual reporting requirement: reports due each year by December 31.
Potential impacts
- Places Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket, and Berkshire counties squarely within any funding, program, or regulatory special treatment for seasonal communities, which may bring targeted state resources (housing programs, regulatory relief or adjustments).
- Creates a transparent process and criteria for adding other municipalities, while preserving local control via a municipal acceptance vote.
- Annual reporting should increase oversight and allow policy adjustments based on local housing and labor market data.
Summary
- A South Carolina House resolution (introduced and adopted 02/13/2025) congratulates the Carolina Forest High School wrestling team, coaches, and school officials for winning the 2025 South Carolina Class AAAAA state championship (held February 8, 2025). It commends Coach Matt Perdue and Principal Gaye Driggers and requests a copy of the resolution be presented to them.
- This is a ceremonial, non‑substantive resolution recognizing athletic achievement and has no policy or regulatory effect.
If you want, I can:
- Produce a one‑page handout for municipal officials in the four designated counties summarizing new rights/benefits and next steps; or
- Draft a short explainer on how the five designation criteria might be measured (data sources and metrics).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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