S 230 Massachusetts Senate · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act for Community Institution Stabilization

This bill creates a legal framework to help preserve community buildings like churches, schools, and libraries when their current owners plan to sell or close. It grants current members and affiliates of these long-standing organizations a "Right of First Refusal," allowing them to purchase the property before it is sold to outsiders. If a sale cannot be arranged directly, the bill authorizes the appointment of a neutral "Special Community Trustee" to facilitate negotiations and ensure the building remains financially viable for continued community use. Municipal officials would be responsible for officially designating which structures qualify as community landmarks under this new law.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
House Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Feb 8, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 16, 2023
House · Passed
House concurred
Feb 16, 2023
Senate · Referred to committee
Referred to the committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jason Lewis
Jason Lewis
DDemocratic
MA
Fifth Middlesex