1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3926 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 316
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Steven George Xiarhos
_________________
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 promote Massachusetts business competitiveness and affordable living.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Steven George Xiarhos5th Barnstable1/17/2025Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr.5th Worcester2/11/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3926 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 316
By Representative Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 316) of
Steven George Xiarhos and Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. for an investigation by a special
committee on Massachusetts business competitiveness and affordable living, which shall be
charged with oversight of matters to improve the ability of businesses, to form and thrive under
law, and to lower the cost of living for residents and families. Community Development and
Small Businesses.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act to promote Massachusetts business competitiveness and affordable living.
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. There is hereby established a committee on Massachusetts Business
2Competitiveness and Affordable Living, which shall be charged with oversight of matters to
3improve the ability of businesses, including small businesses, to form and thrive under
4Massachusetts law, and to lower the cost of living for Massachusetts residents and families. As
5part of this oversight, the committee will conduct an ongoing review of state statutes and
6administrative regulations to assess whether existing laws are impeding the ability of
7Massachusetts businesses to locate and expand their operations here in Massachusetts, as well as
8whether existing laws are artificially increasing the cost of living in Massachusetts, together with
9such related matters as the committee may determine from time to time. This review shall
10include, but not be limited to, an examination of state and local taxation policies, the cost of food 2 of 3
11and consumer goods, and the cost of education, housing, transportation, health care, child care,
12and utilities for Massachusetts residents.
13 The committee shall consist of twenty-one members, two of whom shall be appointed by
14the Governor; two of whom shall be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall
15be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; two of whom shall be appointed by the
16Speaker of the House of Representatives; one of whom shall be appointed by the Minority
17Leader of the House of Representatives; one of whom shall be the secretary of the executive
18office of administration and finance, or designee; one of whom shall be the secretary of the
19executive office of housing and livable communities, or designee; one of whom shall be the
20secretary of the executive office of health and human services, or designee; one of whom shall be
21the President of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, or designee; one of whom shall be
22the Massachusetts State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, or
23designee; one of whom shall be the Chair of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, or
24designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, or
25designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, or
26designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Massachusetts High Technology Council, or
27designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal
28Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Massachusetts Association
29of Realtors, or designee; one of whom shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Boston
30Chamber of Commerce, or designee; and, one of whom shall be the Chief Executive Officer of
31the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce or designee.
32 The committee shall issue an annual report to the Clerks of the Senate and House of
33Representatives as to its findings not later than December 31 of each year, with 3 of 3
34recommendations of potential policy changes that could lower the cost of living for
35Massachusetts residents and families and make it easier and more affordable for businesses to
36locate and expand their operations in Massachusetts. Notwithstanding any general or special law
37to the contrary, no member of the committee shall receive any compensation in exchange for
38their services.