MMLA Members,

We are pleased to report that competing House and Senate FY23 Supplement Budget packages were negotiated pre-conference, and the agreed-upon bill was enacted and sent to the Governor for signature on Thursday, March 23rd.  The bill before the Governor includes the language contained in each branch’s competing packages that would extend certain COVID-19 relief measures including extension of authority for public bodies, agencies and commissions, as well as Town Meetings, to hold meetings remotely until March 31, 2025, which is currently set to expire at the end of this month.  An emergency preamble was also added the bill prior to its enactment which gives immediate effect to its provisions once approved by the Governor.  The Governor has 10 days to sign the bill, veto the bill or allow the bill to become law without her signature.

The MMLA was actively involved in promoting these provisions of the bill and I refer you to our prior letters to legislative leadership attached to prior updates and on our website.  We encourage all to reach out to the Governor’s office to express support of these important provisions.

We will continue to keep you updated in real time.

Thanks again and be well,

Matthew G. Feher, Esq.
President
Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association, Inc.