Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S303 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 910 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 303
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act for Community Institution Stabilization.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Dixon60 Lake St Apt N Winchester MA 01890 1 of 3
16	16	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 910 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
17	17	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 303
18	18	By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 303) of Vincent Dixon,
19	19	for legislation relative to Community Institution Stabilization. Economic Development and
20	20	Emerging Technologies.
21	21	[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
22	22	SEE SENATE, NO. 230 OF 2023-2024.]
23	23	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
24	24	_______________
25	25	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
26	26	(2025-2026)
27	27	_______________
28	28	An Act for Community Institution Stabilization.
29	29	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
30	30	of the same, as follows:
31	31	1 SECTION 1. The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the
32	32	2 following new chapter:
33	33	3 An Act for Community Institution Stabilization.
34	34	4 1.) When an organization, generally viewed as a Community Institution, resolves, and/or
35	35	5decides to dissolve, and/or to dispose of substantial property, one or more individuals, being in
36	36	6good standing, as members, and/or affiliates of such organization, and Community Institution,
37	37	7shall be permitted to have the Right of First Refusal (RFR) , regarding the disposition, transition
38	38	8of, and/or alternative programming uses, of certain properties, that are properly viewed as
39	39	9Community Institution Landmarks (CIL). 2 of 3
40	40	10 2.) It is in the public interest to provide, and establish, certain opportunities for stabilizing
41	41	11community institutions, and their memberships.
42	42	12 3.) An important aspect of the unique communities, and vitality of our Commonwealth of
43	43	13Massachusetts, is the presence of particular buildings, churches, and other institutions, with
44	44	14architectural, programmatic, and archival record resources.
45	45	15 4.) As a society changes, various organizations, and structures intersect with many
46	46	16different trends, events, and other circumstances. It is in the public interest, to keep certain
47	47	17physical, often iconic structures, and they often are protected by various historical designations,
48	48	18and/or other opportunities.
49	49	19 5.) Just as certainly, the usages of certain of these structures, provide certain value, and
50	50	20values, to local communities, and it is in the public interest, to allow reasonable change, while
51	51	21encouraging certain aspects of stability. When many changes occur, they are often good ones;
52	52	22but changes often can lead to unfortunate disruptions, and sometimes even social harm.
53	53	23 6.) This statute, is formed, to encourage, certain aspects of transitional bridging, in
54	54	24communities, in ways that strengthen them, even in the midst of significant changes.
55	55	25 7.) Such Community Institution, and/or organization, chartered under the Laws of
56	56	26Massachusetts, and/or in well-recognized operation for at least ten (10) years, shall, when such
57	57	27Right of First Refusal (RFR) , is requested; obtain, and/or assist the obtaining of, a reasonable
58	58	28assessed valuation, determining the value of the property, and/or properties, and also the
59	59	29economic value of particular continuing programming. 3 of 3
60	60	30 8a.) A Community Institution, for the purposes of this statute, is, and may be defined, as
61	61	31a building, such as a school, library, church, or structure which is iconic to many in the
62	62	32community, and has held significant community services, whether educational, cultural,
63	63	33religious, or a similar community value activity.
64	64	34 8b.) A declaration that a particular structure, and/or organizational programs, constitute a
65	65	35Community Institution, may be made by a municipal body, such as a Board of Selectmen, City
66	66	36Council, Board of Alderman, Town Meeting, Planning Board, Historical Commission, or other
67	67	37relevant body; but need not be obtained, if individuals, in good standing, from the Community
68	68	38Institution, have filed a Community Institution Membership Right of First Refusal (RFR), with
69	69	39the local municipal authorities, and the Community Institution.
70	70	40 9.) When such circumstances occur, individuals seeking Right of First Refusal (RFR),
71	71	41may request the appointment of a neutral, non-interested individual, as a Special Community
72	72	42Trustee (SCT), to determine, and facilitate the circumstances, continuing the use of the structure,
73	73	43and/or its alternative potential uses. That Trustee shall have reasonable powers, to provide public
74	74	44hearings, private, and transparent negotiations, and other reasonable roles, to permit the
75	75	45evolution of the programs, and properties, going forward, in a community stabilizing manner.
76	76	46 10.) The Special Community Trustee (SCT) shall, in their considerations, and decisions,
77	77	47prefer reasonable offers, from the Community Institution membership, and/or properly identified
78	78	48members thereof, as long as the funding, financing, and economic viability of any such offer, is
79	79	49verified, and certified. Such decisions, shall be publicly announced, and a written Decision
80	80	50Report, shall be provided by the Special Community Trustee (SCT).