An Act updating gateway municipalities

This bill updates the legal definition of "gateway municipalities" in Massachusetts to allow two or more towns to combine their populations to meet eligibility criteria. Currently, a single town must have a population between 35,000 and 250,000, but the new rule permits smaller towns to join forces through an inter-municipal agreement if their combined population falls within that range. The definition also requires that the area have a median household income and educational attainment rate below the state average. By enabling smaller communities to qualify together, the legislation aims to expand access to state programs and funding designated for gateway municipalities.