The House approved a redrafted bill this afternoon that would give cities and towns relief from certain deadlines and state laws during the ongoing COVID public health emergency.

The bill (H. 4598) would:
• Provide flexibility in scheduling town meetings
• Establish some rules for towns that may need to start fiscal 2021 without a budget that has been approved by town meeting
• Give cities and towns the local option to push back due dates for certain local taxes and to waive interest and penalties for local taxes and charges
• Provide for temporary suspension of required decisions on local land use permits
• Relax restrictions on hiring retired public employees

The bill is considered an “emergency law.”

The Senate is expected to take up the package on Monday.

View text of H. 4598, An Act to Address Challenges Faced by Municipalities and State Authorities Resulting from COVID-19

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