This legislative bill seeks to modify existing regulations to promote urban renewal and neighborhood stabilization through targeted redevelopment and rehabilitation initiatives, particularly focusing on blighted and substandard areas. It amends section 3 of chapter 70B and section 1 of chapter 121A by redefining terms such as "decadent area" and "project" to encompass a broader range of improvement efforts in areas that are unsafe or economically stagnant. These amendments aim to simplify the redevelopment process by enabling the acquisition, clearance, and enhancement of blighted areas, involving various development entities, including community development corporations and spot blight project sponsors.

Further amendments to chapters 121A and 21E delineate the roles and responsibilities of spot blight project sponsors, empowering them to acquire or lease real estate for redevelopment purposes. With municipal approval, these sponsors can sell or lease rehabilitated properties, thereby stimulating private sector involvement in urban renewal projects. The bill also establishes a commission dedicated to studying strategies for enhancing housing quality in weak markets, with an emphasis on safety, accessibility for residents with disabilities, and climate resilience. This commission is required to submit a report by December 31, 2026, detailing recommendations for potential legislative, regulatory, and procedural adjustments to support these efforts.

This bill establishes the Downtown Vitality Fund, which is financed by a one percent set-aside of sales tax revenue collected from remote retailers who have no physical presence in Massachusetts. This fund is dedicated to supporting commercial areas by providing grants to downtown district management organizations and offering technical assistance. It prioritizes small business districts in Gateway Cities and low-income areas, while promoting entrepreneurial opportunities for underrepresented communities. The bill also creates the Office of Massachusetts Main Streets, tasked with promoting and revitalizing downtown and commercial districts statewide.This bill creates the MassMakers Portal, an interactive online platform designed as a unified access point for business information and compliance resources. Developed in collaboration with various state agencies, the portal provides resources to simplify the process of establishing and expanding businesses in the Commonwealth through services such as electronic applications, compliance alerts, and technical suppor

In addition, the bill establishes the Supply Mass/Buy Mass program, aiming to bridge the gap between local suppliers and purchasers via a dedicated web portal for MassMade businesses to connect with institutional and commercial buyers, and sets up the Microbusiness and Minority Business Strategy Commission. This commission will recommend strategies to enhance their viability, including fee exemptions. 

This bill establishes the Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in Massachusetts. Led by an appointed director, the office's primary goals are to promote the state's outdoor recreation economy, ensure equitable access to recreational opportunities, and coordinate policy and funding across federal, state, and local levels. The director will engage with businesses, non-profits, landowners, and other stakeholders to enhance public access to recreation infrastructure and position Massachusetts as a premier outdoor activities destination.

Specific responsibilities of the office include developing evaluation metrics, securing project funding, and collaborating with state agencies to launch cross-agency initiatives. Additionally, the director will foster partnerships, take part in regional and national networks, and spearhead marketing efforts to highlight Massachusetts's recreational offerings.

Complementing these efforts, the bill establishes an Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund that provides competitive grants for projects aligning with the office's objectives. The fund will draw from diverse financial sources, including federal grants and donations, with unspent funds rolling over each fiscal year. The director will oversee the fund's administration and must provide annual financial reports detailing its activities and expenditures. To facilitate these initiatives, the bill amends general laws to incorporate the new office into the existing administrative framework.

The bill introduces the Downtown Vitality Fund within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development in Massachusetts, targeted at enhancing economic growth in commercial sectors across the state. The fund receives financial support by allocating 0.75% of the commonwealth's "Sales tax-regular" receipts. The funds are disbursed by the agency without requiring further appropriation, allowing flexibility for usage in accordance with the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative’s goals.

The fund aims to distribute various types of grants, including those for establishing and supporting district management entities, technical assistance for development studies, and aiding communities engaged in the Transformative Development Initiative program. It also provides funding for local economic plans that seek to improve local commercial regions. Prioritization is given to small business districts in economically disadvantaged zones, initiatives that promote entrepreneurship among underrepresented groups, and efforts to maintain cultural identity.

The bill mandates an annual report detailing grant allocations be submitted to pertinent legislative committees, ensuring transparency and accountability. Additionally, it establishes a Downtown Vitality Advisory Board to oversee the fund's activities, composed of at least 15 members appointed by the Secretary of Economic Development. These members, representing entities like MassDevelopment, business improvement districts, and underrepresented communities, provide advice on grant applications, criteria, and occasionally recommend legislative changes for enhancing the fund's effectiveness. Members serve terms up to three years and do so without compensation.

The proposed bill introduces the Downtown Vitality Fund into the Massachusetts General Laws, aiming to enhance commercial areas' development. It allocates 0.75% of the state's regular sales tax revenues (excluding certain categories like meals and motor vehicles) to finance the fund. Managed by the Executive Office of Economic Development, the fund will be distributed upon request from the Secretary of Economic Development without needing further appropriations. The funding will be used for several initiatives, including providing grants to establish and sustain district management entities in commercial areas, offering technical assistance, supporting the Transformative Development Initiative program, and facilitating local economic development plans.

Priority in fund allocation will focus on supporting small business districts in Gateway Cities and low-income areas, fostering entrepreneurship within underrepresented communities, and enhancing cultural identity while avoiding cultural displacement. Additionally, localities will need to provide matching contributions relative to their economic strengths. The bill also establishes a Downtown Vitality Advisory Board with at least 15 members from various organizations, including the Massachusetts Cultural Council and business improvement districts. This board will guide fund-related activities, help formulate grant selection criteria, evaluate applications, and offer legislative recommendations to ensure the fund achieves its objectives effectively.

This legislative bill seeks to amend various chapters of the Massachusetts General Laws to enhance neighborhood stabilization, project financing, and urban development, with a particular focus on blighted and underdeveloped areas. Key features include the expansion of certain tax credit caps from $10 million to $30 million to encourage investment in community development. The bill redefines terms like "decadent area," "sub-standard area," and "project," aiming to promote the revitalization of areas that negatively impact community growth by facilitating construction activities for residential, commercial, and other uses.

Additionally, it introduces new definitions for "spot blight project sponsor" and "spot rehabilitation property," empowering certified community development corporations and other entities to initiate rehabilitation projects for distressed properties. These sponsors gain increased flexibility to manage, transfer, lease, or sell properties, along with specific exemptions from regulations in Chapter 121A.

The bill also establishes a commission to explore strategies for enhancing housing quality in less robust markets, emphasizing safety, accessibility, and climate resilience. This includes consideration of building code adjustments, innovative technologies, and diverse funding strategies. The commission, composed of legislative members, appointed officials, and industry representatives, is charged with delivering a report by December 31, 2021.

Furthermore, the bill strengthens the reporting requirements for housing developments within approved Housing Development (HD) zones, mandating comprehensive disclosures concerning project details such as rents, units, funding, and tax credits.

This legislative bill seeks to enhance economic development and urban renewal through strategic amendments to general laws. Key amendments include increasing financial caps to $30,000,000 in various tax-related sections, indicating a boost in fiscal resources or investment thresholds. A significant focus is placed on "neighborhood stabilization" within the framework of public works and infrastructure projects, particularly under chapter 70B.

The bill revises criteria for urban areas classified as "decadent" or "sub-standard," introducing specific terms such as "spot rehabilitation property" and "spot blight project sponsor." It empowers sponsors to engage in blight rehabilitation efforts targeting distressed single-family homes, smaller commercial entities, and mixed-use structures under 10,000 square feet. The legislation emphasizes a governance model granting local municipalities oversight and approval authority to ensure these initiatives align with public interests.

Additionally, the bill establishes a commission to explore strategies for enhancing housing quality in weaker markets. The commission's goals include improving safety, accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and resilience to climate change, with a mandate to report findings and suggest legislative or procedural changes. Finally, the bill requires detailed reporting on housing development projects within designated Housing Development (HD) zones, capturing comprehensive data on project specifics, including location, sponsorship, and financial details.