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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2438 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 385
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Edward J. Kennedy
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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
resolve:
Resolve to examine Chapter 70 funding.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Edward J. KennedyFirst MiddlesexColleen M. Garry36th Middlesex3/10/2025 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2438 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 385
By Mr. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 385) of Edward J. Kennedy
and Colleen M. Garry that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special
commission (including members of the General Court) to examine Chapter 70 funding.
Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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Resolve to examine Chapter 70 funding.
1 Resolved, that a special commission is hereby established for the purpose to study and
2make recommendations regarding state education funding under Chapter 70 of the Massachusetts
3General Laws. The commission shall examine the funding challenges brought about under
4current law during periods of increased inflation.
5 The commission shall consist of the commissioner of the department of secondary and
6elementary education or his designee, who shall serve as commission chair; 3 members of the
7senate, 1 of whom shall be the senate chair of the joint committee on education, 1 of whom shall
8be appointed by the senate president and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of
9the senate; 3 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be the house chair of the
10joint committee on education, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of
11representatives and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house of
12representatives; 3 persons to be appointed by the governor, who shall be superintendents or
13business managers who represent school districts where the state investment under Chapter 70 2 of 2
14has not kept pace with increasing costs due to inflation, and 3 persons appointed by the governor
15who shall be superintendents or business managers who represent school districts in Gateway
16Cities, and 3 persons appointed by the governor who shall be superintendents or business
17managers who represent vocational or technical schools. The commission shall convene its first
18meeting not later than June 1, 2025, and shall file a report along with any recommendations for
19legislation not later than November 30, 2025, with the clerks of the senate and house, the chairs
20of the senate and house committees on ways and means, and the chairs of the joint committee on
21education.