An Act to establish the Western Massachusetts balanced sustainable development commission

This bill creates a Sustainable Development Commission for Western Massachusetts (specifically the Springfield Region, including Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties) to address regional disparities. The Commission, made up of regional planning reps, fair housing groups, labor, and business leaders, will annually track how state policies affect the region and recommend changes to reduce racial segregation and improve sustainability. It also mandates a special tax-exempt development corporation - controlled by elected officials, businesses, and labor - to implement remediation plans through property acquisition, bonds, and development projects. The bill directly affects the Springfield Region by requiring state-level action to counter historical policy impacts on housing, transportation, and economic development.