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S 186

Hopkins Elementary School, awards

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Darrell Jackson

Establish MassMade Program to identify, promote, and connect Massachusetts-made consumer goods and buyers; includes feasibility study and potential online procurement system.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · S 186

Summary — S.186 (Print 186A): "An Act establishing the MassMade Program"

Status & Procedural History
- Bill number: S.186 (Print 186A) — Senate Docket No. 777.
- Filed/Presented by: Senator John C. Velis (Hampden and Hampshire). Filed 1/14/2025; read twice and referred to Committee on Finance 1/22/2025. Referred to Community Development and Small Businesses 2/27/2025. Print number 186A recorded 3/11/2025. Hearing scheduled 7/15/2025. (The legislative packet submitted with this bill contains unrelated text from other measures; this summary covers the MassMade Program language.)

Purpose / Intent
- Establish a statewide program to identify, connect, promote and support businesses that produce consumer goods in Massachusetts, and to serve as a public resource for consumers and purchasers seeking products made in the Commonwealth.

Key Provisions
1. Creation of the MassMade Program (new Section 10A½ in Chapter 23A of the General Laws)
- Administered by the Massachusetts Office of Business Development.
- Principal functions:
- Identify and connect businesses that produce consumer goods in Massachusetts.
- Identify obstacles to doing business in-state.
- Act as a public resource for consumers seeking products made in Massachusetts.
- Collect and provide business and product information in consultation with stakeholders and partner entities.

  1. Stakeholder collaboration

    • The Office may consult and work with MassMade businesses, regional economic development organizations, small business associations, chambers of commerce, the Supplier Diversity Office, the Massachusetts Marketing Partnership, and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations to collect and share information.

  2. Eligibility definition — “MassMade business”

    • Produces a consumer good (including food & beverage) in the Commonwealth;
    • Headquartered or has principal place of business in the Commonwealth;
    • Holds a certificate of good standing from the Department of Revenue;
    • Seeks to join the MassMade Program.

  3. Funding and administration

    • The Office may expend appropriated state funds for the program.
    • The Office may accept federal funds, private gifts, and grants.
    • The Office is required to promulgate regulations necessary for administration.

  4. Feasibility study

    • The Office must conduct a feasibility study on creating and maintaining an internet‑based system to facilitate exchange of information for the MassMade Program, including procurement requests relating to products made in the Commonwealth.

Who Would Be Affected
- Massachusetts consumer‑goods manufacturers that meet the “MassMade” criteria.
- State Office of Business Development (responsible for program administration, regulation writing, and study).
- Regional economic development organizations, chambers, supplier‑diversity entities, and consumers seeking in‑state products.
- Public purchasers and private buyers potentially using the internet‑based procurement/exchange system if implemented.

Potential Impacts
- Promotes visibility and market connections for in‑state consumer‑goods producers.
- May lower barriers to procurement of Massachusetts‑made goods through an information/exchange platform.
- Administrative/fiscal impact depends on appropriations and any federal/private grants received; legislation allows but does not specify funding levels.
- Requires rulemaking (regulations) and at least one feasibility study before an online system is developed.

Implementation & Next Steps
- Office must promulgate implementing regulations and complete the feasibility study.
- Program activities and any online system depend on appropriation of funds and completion of the study.
- Committee hearings and further amendments may follow (print 186A and committee referrals noted).

For further reading: see the bill text adding Section 10A½ to Chapter 23A and Section 2 requiring the feasibility study (S.186 / Print 186A).

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

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