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Bill

H 3588

Uncontested municipal primary elections

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Phillip Bowers and 3 co-sponsors

Requires grants from the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund to regional tourism councils be distributed by October 1 of the allocated fiscal year, improving timeliness.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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Bill Summary · H 3588

Summary: H.3588 An Act relative to tourism and visitation marketing and promotion grants

Overview

H.3588, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Manny Cruz, is a bill in the 194th Massachusetts General Court titled “An Act relative to tourism and visitation marketing and promotion grants.” The bill seeks to modify Chapter 23A to address the timing of grant distributions to regional tourism councils through the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund.

Key provision(s)

  • Amends Chapter 23A by adding a new Section 69.
  • New Section 69 provides that grants allocated to regional tourism councils through the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund (established in section 13T of Chapter 23A) shall be distributed no later than October 1 of the fiscal year for which they are allocated.
  • The provision sets a firm deadline for grant distribution, aiming to improve timeliness and predictability of funding for regional tourism marketing and visitation promotion efforts.

Who/what is affected

  • Regional tourism councils that receive grants via the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund.
  • The Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund administration (established in Chapter 23A, section 13T) and the agency responsible for administering tourism, arts, and cultural development programs.
  • The Commonwealth financially supports regional tourism marketing and promotion activities; broader impacts on regional tourism campaigns and planning timelines.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development (February 27, 2025).
  • Legislative status notes include a scheduled hearing:
    • Hearing: October 21, 2025, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM, in hearing room B-2.
  • Legislative actions also indicate Senate concurrence occurred on February 27, 2025.
  • Related bill: HD 1462 (noted as a related/replacing measure).

Fiscal/administrative implications

  • Establishes a concrete deadline (October 1) for distributing funds, potentially improving budgeting, planning, and prompt execution of regional marketing initiatives.
  • Does not specify new funding levels or amounts; impacts are procedural regarding timing rather than funding magnitude.

Additional notes

  • The bill is categorized as a “bill” and is part of the 2025-2026 legislative session.
  • The bill is labeled as HD 1462 (HD 1462 replaces it in related materials), indicating a potential refile or successor measure.

Takeaways

  • Primary aim: ensure timely distribution of tourism/travel grants to regional councils.
  • Mechanism: add Section 69 to Chapter 23A to require distribution by October 1 of the allocated fiscal year.
  • Affects regional tourism marketing efforts and the administration of the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund.
  • Watch for committee action and any amendments at the October 2025 hearing.

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

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