WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 285

Relates to the administration of the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 immunization

2025 Regular Session Introduced by George Borrello and 1 co-sponsor

Reforms the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board to add a consumer seat, require a neutral chair, and set fixed terms with 60-day vacancy fills to strengthen oversight.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 285

Summary — S.285 (2025): "An Act relative to the licensure of appraisers"

Purpose

This bill amends Section 8G of Chapter 26 of the Massachusetts General Laws to revise the composition, appointment process, and terms of the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (the “board”). The change is intended to clarify appointment authority, ensure consumer representation, require a neutral chair, and set term limits and vacancy timelines.

Key provisions

  • Board size: 7 members.
  • Appointment composition:
    • Governor appoints two members affiliated with the auto body repair industry and two members affiliated with insurance companies writing casualty insurance in the Commonwealth.
    • Attorney General appoints one representative of the Attorney General’s office.
    • Attorney General also appoints one additional person unaffiliated with the Attorney General’s office, an auto body shop, or an insurance company, to represent consumers.
    • Commissioner of the Division of Occupational Licensure appoints one person who is not affiliated with either the auto body industry or the insurance industry; this person shall serve as the chair of the board.
  • Terms and limits:
    • Standard term length is three years.
    • No member may serve more than two consecutive and complete three-year terms.
    • Successors are appointed for three-year terms as terms expire.
  • Vacancy filling:
    • A vacancy on the board must be filled within 60 days from the date of the vacancy.
  • The bill replaces the existing first paragraph of Section 8G (as in the 2022 Official Edition) with the new language above.

Who is affected

  • Auto body repair industry representatives and businesses (appointments and industry representation).
  • Insurance companies writing casualty insurance in Massachusetts (appointments and representation).
  • Consumers (explicit consumer representative seat appointed by the Attorney General).
  • Attorney General’s office and the Division of Occupational Licensure (appointment responsibilities).
  • Auto damage appraisers and applicants regulated under the board’s authority (governance changes may affect policy and oversight).

Procedural status and timeline (selected)

  • Filed: Senate Docket No. 518 (filed 1/13/2025); introduced in Senate 1/28/2025.
  • Read twice and referred to Committee on the Budget (1/28/2025).
  • Referred to Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (2/27/2025).
  • Reported favorably by committee and referred to Senate Ways and Means (11/19/2025).
  • Hearings were scheduled/rescheduled for 10/14/2025 (committee hearing records).
  • Presented by Senator Michael F. Rush (petition lists multiple co-petitioners/sponsors).

Related bills

  • SD 518 (replaces)
  • S.6119 (prior session)
  • A.8261 (companion)

Notes / Potential impact

The bill clarifies appointment authority, mandates a neutral chair, and ensures a designated consumer advocate on the board. These changes may shift the balance of perspectives on the board, increase consumer voice in appraiser regulation, and impose stricter timelines for filling vacancies, which could improve continuity of oversight.

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

Sign in to ask a question.