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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 296 FILED ON: 1/12/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1977
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Joanne M. Comerford
_________________
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 advancing equity for rural communities receiving state grants.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 296 FILED ON: 1/12/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1977
By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1977) of Joanne M. Comerford
for legislation to advance equity for rural communities receiving state grants. State
Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2029 OF 2021-2022.]
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 advancing equity for rural communities receiving state grants.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 7 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding after section 62 the
2following section:-
3 Section 63. As used in this section the following words shall have the following
4meanings:-
5 “Rural communities”, municipalities with population densities of less than 500 persons
6per square mile.
7 The secretary shall direct all departments, commissions, offices, boards, divisions,
8institutions or other agencies administering grant programs to give preference to rural 2 of 2
9communities, particularly those that intend to use funds to regionalize or share services, and to
10grant applicants that serve rural communities.
11 The secretary shall direct all such agencies to identify and inform rural communities of
12discretionary grant programs and incentives for which rural communities wishing to regionalize
13or share services could benefit from preferences under this section.
14 The secretary shall annually, on or before July 1, report on the implementation of this
15section to the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on
16municipalities and regional government and members of the general court who represent rural
17communities.