An Act Establishing a Commission to Evaluate the Effect of Recent Housing Policies
Summary
This bill would establish a commission to examine effects of housing policies set during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supported by Staff
MassLandlords staff drafted or participated materially in the creation of bill text below. Members will be polled at the next update of the policy priorities survey.Bill Text May Change
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To be posted.
Explanation of the Housing Policy Commission Bill
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An Act Establishing a Commission to Evaluate the Effect of Recent Housing Policies.
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There is hereby established a special commission governed by section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to investigate and report on the effect on housing equity, stability, and affordability of the statutes enacted, regulations promulgated, and executive orders issued in connection with the COVID-19 emergency. |
Chapter 4 section 2A sets rules for state-appointed investigative commissions. This commission will examine housing impacts of COVID-19 policies. |
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The commission shall consist of the following 11 members:
the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on housing, who shall serve as co-chairs of the commission; |
11 commission members will be appointed as follows: |
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1 person to be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;
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1 person to be appointed by the minority leader of the senate;
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the state auditor or a designee;
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the chair of the Massachusetts commission against discrimination or a designee;
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the chief justice of the supreme judicial court or a designee;
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a representative from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute;
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a representative from an organization representing landlords;
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a representative from the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance;
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an economist from a Massachusetts university or college.
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The study shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) a review of the state and federal eviction moratoria and the department of housing and community development’s eviction diversion initiative, including rental assistance programs; |
This commission will study eviction moratoria enacted early during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the state eviction diversion initiative, in addition to: |
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(ii) an analysis of any racial disparities in the processing of applications for and the distribution of rental assistance;
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(iii) an evaluation of the effect of the moratoria and the eviction diversion initiative on house prices, rents, and racially segregated housing patterns;
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(iv) other effects on housing equity, stability, and affordability of the statutes enacted, regulations promulgated, and executive orders issued in connection with the COVID-19 emergency. |
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The commission shall hold its first meeting not later than 30 days after the effective date of this act and shall meet at least monthly thereafter.
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The commission will meet monthly following its first meeting within 30 days after this bill is enacted. |
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The commission shall submit a report of its study and any recommendations, together with any draft legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate not later than December 31, 2023.
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The commission will submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the state congress by December 31, 2023. |
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