Municipal Empowerment Act hearings begin

The first hearing on Gov. Maura Healey’s proposed Municipal Empowerment Act was held by the Joint Committee on Public Service on Sept. 22.

The wide-ranging bill intends to increase municipal flexibility, reduce administrative burdens, strengthen municipal finances, address municipal workforce challenges, and improve the efficiency of local operations.

The bill was first filed last year, and was re-filed in January with some additional provisions. It has widespread support from local leaders across the state.

The Public Service Committee hearing focused on two provisions of the bill:
• One that would allow municipalities to apply for a critical shortage exemption from certain post-retirement limitations on employment for specific jobs titles and classes for a period of three years
• And one that would establish an Other Post-Employment Benefits Commission to address unfunded liabilities from non-pension employee benefits

The Sept. 22 hearing was the first of three that are expected on the bill.

The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government has scheduled a hearing for Oct. 28. Most of the bill’s provisions fall within this committee’s jurisdiction, including provisions to reform procurement procedures and regulations; update borrowing rules for school projects; make permanent a number of popular pandemic-era allowances for remote or hybrid public meetings; and establish enforcement mechanisms for prohibitions on doubled-up utility poles.

The Joint Committee on Revenue has not yet scheduled the third hearing, focused on the bill’s fiscal provisions.