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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3476 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2761
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Nicholas A. Boldyga
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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 to relative to the revolving door between regulatory agencies and regulated industry.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Nicholas A. Boldyga3rd Hampden1/17/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3476 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2761
By Representative Boldyga of Southwick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2761) of
Nicholas A. Boldyga for legislation to regulate the employment of former employees of certain
regulatory agencies. Public Service.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act to relative to the revolving door between regulatory agencies and regulated industry.
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. Definitions
2 As used in this act, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the
3context clearly requires otherwise:
4 (a) "Regulatory Agency" means any department, commission, board, council, authority,
5or other agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that has regulatory, licensing, or
6oversight responsibilities over any industry, business, or profession.
7 (b) "Regulated Industry" means any business, corporation, or entity subject to regulation,
8oversight, or licensing by a regulatory agency of the Commonwealth.
9 (c) "Cooling-Off Period" means the period during which a former employee of a
10regulatory agency is prohibited from employment, consulting, or engaging in any contractual
11relationship with a regulated industry or any of its affiliates. 2 of 3
12 Section 2. Cooling-Off Period
13 (a) A former employee of any regulatory agency in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
14shall be prohibited from:
15 (1) Accepting employment with,
16 (2) Becoming a consultant for,
17 (3) Providing services to, or
18 (4) Entering into any contractual agreement with
19 any entity within a regulated industry that was under the oversight, regulation, or
20licensing of the agency where the individual was employed for a period of five (5) years after the
21termination of their state employment.
22 (b) This prohibition extends to any subsidiary, parent company, or affiliate of the
23regulated entity where a direct or indirect influence over regulatory matters could be perceived.
24 Section 3. Exceptions
25 Exceptions to the cooling-off period may be granted by the State Ethics Commission only
26under the following conditions:
27 (a) The employment or contract does not involve matters directly related to the duties or
28responsibilities of the regulatory agency the individual previously served in.
29 (b) The individual can demonstrate that the proposed employment or contract would not
30result in any conflict of interest, undue influence, or appearance of impropriety. 3 of 3
31 Such exceptions shall require a written application and approval by the State Ethics
32Commission.
33 Section 4. Enforcement
34 (a) The State Ethics Commission shall have the authority to investigate violations of this
35act, impose fines, and seek remedies including but not limited to:
36 (1) Civil penalties not to exceed $50,000 for each violation.
37 (2) Injunctions to prevent employment or contracts in violation of this act.
38 (3) Mandatory divestiture of any financial benefit gained through violation of this act.
39 (b) Any employment or contract entered into in violation of this act shall be voidable at
40the option of the Commonwealth.
41 Section 5. Reporting Requirement
42 All regulatory agencies must submit an annual report to the State Ethics Commission
43detailing:
44 (a) The names and positions of employees who have left the agency within the last year.
45 (b) The names of any regulated entities where these former employees have sought or
46accepted employment or contracts within the five-year cooling-off period.