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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4185 FILED ON: 3/2/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3822
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Kristin E. Kassner
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act preparing Massachusetts for the next economy.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Kristin E. Kassner2nd Essex2/28/2023 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4185 FILED ON: 3/2/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3822
By Representative Kassner of Hamilton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kristin E.
Kassner for an investigation by a special commission relative to the preparation of the built
environment for the next economy, including an inventory of infrastructure, buildings, and land
use regulations. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act preparing Massachusetts for the next economy.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. (a) There shall be established a special commission on preparing the built
2environment for the next economy, including an inventory of infrastructure, buildings, and land
3use regulations. The goal of this special commission is to link government, utilities, business,
4and educational postgraduate institutions in the commonwealth to create a realistic plan to
5strengthen the economy, provide housing, and opportunities for emerging technologies while
6protecting our environment and open space.
7 (b) The Massachusetts: NEXT special commission shall consist of the Secretaries of the
8Executive Office of Housing and the Executive Office of Economic Development or their
9designees; one member from each regional planning commission; one member from the
10Massachusetts Municipal Association; one member from each regional water authority; one
11member appointed by the Speaker of the Massachusetts House; and one member appointed by
12the Massachusetts Senate President. The special commission shall also include a minimum of 2 of 2
13four (4) institutional partners, including University of Massachusetts, and additional universities
14selected by the Speaker and Senate President. The special commission shall meet at least
15monthly. The special commission shall be staffed by a director appointed by the Secretaries.
16 (c) The special commission shall collect data regarding the availability of water,
17wastewater, electricity, transportation access, and proximity to food and medical resources, local
18land use regulations, the existing built environment, and local limitations to diversity in the
19economy.
20 (d) The special commission shall hold at least one public hearing and may hold additional
21hearings as necessary at which members of the public shall have an opportunity to speak.
22 (d) Not later than June 30, 2024, the special commission shall file a report on its findings,
23including recommendations to implement said findings, with the clerks of the House and Senate,
24the Secretaries of Housing and Economic Development, and the House and Senate committees
25on Ways and Means. The report shall include an inventory of current land use and natural
26resources; housing and business needs, infrastructure, land use regulations, and
27recommendations to balance preservation and growth opportunities for housing, economic
28development and associated infrastructure.