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Bill

H 5337

Study Order

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The bill authorizes a time-bound House Housing Committee study of broker fees to determine if reforms are needed and to draft potential legislation by Dec 31, 2026.

Discharged to the committee on House Rules
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Bill Summary · H 5337

Summary of Bill H.5337 (Session 194th, Massachusetts)

Title

Study Order related to broker fees in Massachusetts, specifically in relation to bills H.3922 and H.4099.

Purpose and Intent

  • To authorize the House Housing Committee to conduct an investigation and study of two prior House documents (H.3922 and H.4099) concerning broker fees.
  • The study aims to evaluate the current system of broker commissions and determine whether changes are warranted to address issues related to who pays broker commissions (landlords, tenants, or prospective tenants) and related impacts.

Key Provisions

  • Investigation Authorization: The House Housing Committee is authorized to sit during a recess of the General Court to investigate and study the referenced documents (H.3922 and H.4099) regarding broker fees.
  • Reporting Requirements: The committee must report to the General Court the results of its investigation and any recommendations. If applicable, the committee should include drafts of legislation necessary to implement recommendations.
  • Deadline: The report and any proposed drafts must be filed with the Clerk of the House on or before December 31, 2026.
  • Scope of Content (implied): While the bill itself does not enact policy, it contemplates evaluating whether tenant-paid broker fees or landlord/broker arrangements should be prohibited or restructured, as suggested by the companion bills related to Somerville and Northampton (H.3922 and H.4099).

Who/What is Affected

  • Geographic Focus: Initially tied to discussions in the City of Somerville and the City of Northampton via the referenced companion measures; broader implications could affect broker fee practices statewide if legislative changes are recommended.
  • Stakeholders: Tenants, prospective tenants, landlords, property brokers, and housing authorities in Massachusetts who are involved in rental transactions and broker fee arrangements.
  • State Legislature: The Massachusetts General Court, specifically the House Committee on Housing, and ultimately the entire Legislature through any proposed follow-up legislation.

Procedural/Timeline Aspects

  • Committee Action: The House Housing Committee is authorized to conduct the study and to report its findings and any proposed legislation.
  • Reporting Deadline: December 31, 2026.
  • Process Post-Report: If recommendations include new legislative text, drafts would be prepared and filed with the Clerk of the House for consideration by the General Court, potentially leading to future bill introductions and floor action.

Plain-English Takeaway

This bill does not change law by itself. Instead, it creates a formal, time-bound study by the House Housing Committee to examine existing and proposed measures related to broker fees in rental transactions. The study aims to determine whether current practices should be reformed (for example, preventing tenants from being charged broker commissions), and to draft possible legislation to address any identified issues. A final report with recommendations and draft bills is due by December 31, 2026.

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

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