Special Act Charter
From MMAWiki
A special act is a law which is specifically enacted for one municipality. The Legislature is usually limited to create only General Laws that apply to all cities and town, to all towns or to all cities, or a class of not fewer than two municipalities. However, the Home Rule Amendment makes an exception in the creation of a special act charter. Special act charters are specifically enacted by the State Legislature at the request of a particular city or town. These documents are sometimes as comprehensive as a Home Rule Charter, but often do not contain the detail provided in such charters.[1]
Process for Adopting/Amending Special Act Charter
1. Passage, by majority vote at town meeting, of a warrant article or resolution proposing the special legislation
2. Petition to the Legislature to enact the proposed legislation
3. Hearing by assigned committee of the Legislature
4. Approval of the petition by House of Representatives and Senate
5. Signing of special legislation by the governor
