Bill Sponsors
Rogers, and de la Cruz
Committee
Senate Housing & Municipal Government
Summary
Select
This bill changes the rules for the Town of Scituate's annual financial town meeting. It requires the town council to finalize its recommended budget by the fourth Thursday in April and post it on the town's website within seven days. If a resident wants to propose a budget change of $10,000 or more at the June meeting, they must submit a notice with at least ten signatures to the town treasurer by May 15. Scituate voters will approve or reject this bill on the November 2026 ballot.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Increases government transparency by mandating that the town council's recommended budget be posted on the town's website, allowing residents easier access to public financial information.
- Promotes democratic participation by establishing a clear, accessible process for citizens to propose significant changes to the budget using a petition of just ten signatures.
- Ensures the local community has the final say on these procedural changes by requiring the act to be approved by voters via a ballot measure in the 2026 general election.
Cons for Progressives
- Places a restriction on direct democracy by preventing residents from making spontaneous, large-scale financial motions (over $10,000) during the town meeting without prior notice.
- The requirement to gather signatures and submit them by a strict May 15 deadline could create a barrier for marginalized residents who lack the time or resources to organize in advance.
- Delays the implementation of these transparency and procedural updates until after the November 2026 election, leaving the current system in place for several more years.
Pros for Conservatives
- Protects the town budget from sudden, poorly vetted, large-scale spending increases by requiring advance notice for any changes over $10,000.
- Enhances local, decentralized control by putting the ultimate decision to adopt these rules directly in the hands of Scituate voters through a local ballot measure.
- Imposes structured order and predictability on town financial meetings, ensuring taxpayers have advance notice of any major proposed financial changes.
Cons for Conservatives
- Restricts the freedom of individual taxpayers to propose immediate, substantial budget cuts on the floor of the town meeting without prior bureaucratic approval and signatures.
- Imposes new administrative mandates on the town government, such as specific internet posting requirements and strict deadlines for the budget recommendations.
- Allows a relatively small group of just ten people to force the town to formally consider and publish alternative budget proposals, which could lead to administrative burdens.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely. The bill regulates municipal meeting procedures and the process for submitting budget amendments. It does not infringe upon fundamental free speech, as reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on municipal legislative procedures (like requiring advance notice for large financial motions) are generally upheld as constitutional to maintain order and predictability in government operations.
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Scituate residents
- Scituate town council
- Scituate town treasurer
- Scituate voters
- Scituate town clerk
Towns Affected
Scituate
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
Importance
Measures population affected and overall level of impact.
Freedom Impact
Level of individual freedom impacted by the bill.
Public Services
How much the bill is likely to impact one or more public services.
Regulatory
Estimated regulatory burden imposed on the subject(s) of the bill.
Clarity of Bill Language
How clear the language of the bill is. Higher ambiguity equals a lower score.
Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
Impact the bill will have on the environment, positive or negative.
Privacy Impact
Impact the bill is likely to have on the privacy of individuals.
Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 05/22/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government
• 05/26/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/28/2026)
• 05/28/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
• 06/01/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/03/2026)
• 06/03/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
• 06/05/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/09/2026)
• 06/08/2026 Proposed Substitute
• 06/09/2026 Committee recommends passage of Sub A
• 06/09/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/10/2026)
• 06/10/2026 Senate passed Sub A
• 06/11/2026 Placed on House Calendar (06/11/2026)
• 06/11/2026 House passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment)
• 06/11/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)
• 06/11/2026 Senate passed Sub A as amended in concurrence
• 06/16/2026 Transmitted to Governor
• 06/24/2026 Effective without Governor's signature
• 05/26/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/28/2026)
• 05/28/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
• 06/01/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/03/2026)
• 06/03/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
• 06/05/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/09/2026)
• 06/08/2026 Proposed Substitute
• 06/09/2026 Committee recommends passage of Sub A
• 06/09/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/10/2026)
• 06/10/2026 Senate passed Sub A
• 06/11/2026 Placed on House Calendar (06/11/2026)
• 06/11/2026 House passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment)
• 06/11/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)
• 06/11/2026 Senate passed Sub A as amended in concurrence
• 06/16/2026 Transmitted to Governor
• 06/24/2026 Effective without Governor's signature
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 4 of Chapter 1321 of the Public Laws Of, 1915, entitled “An Act Fixing The Time For The Election Of Officers In The Town Of Scituate” as previously amended by Chapter 3777 of the Public Laws of 1956, and by Chapters 225 and 312 of the Public Laws of 2022, is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 4. The town meeting for the ordering and disposing of taxes and consideration of all matters relating to the finances of said town, shall be held in the calendar year 2023 on the first Tuesday next after the first Monday in April at 7:00 P.M., and in the calendar year 2024 and thereafter on the first Tuesday in the month of June at 7:00 P.M., at which meeting the town moderator shall preside. The meeting shall be held in the town of Scituate at such location as the town council shall determine by resolution from time to time, unless the alternative provisions of § 45-3-4, are invoked by the town council. Provided that the appropriations recommended by the town council have been made no later than the fourth Thursday in April immediately preceding the town meeting to be held on the first Tuesday in June, no motion which increases or reduces an appropriation recommended by the town council by $10,000 or more, shall be in order at such meeting unless notice of intention to make such motion has been presented to the town treasurer with the signatures of not less than ten (10) qualified electors of the town no later than the May 15 immediately preceding said such meeting. Notice of such motion shall be included in the publication required under § 44-35-6. Provided notice of such motion has been made, then amendments made at such town meeting to such motion for any lesser amount may be considered at the town meeting.”
SECTION 2. The question of the acceptance or rejection of this act shall be submitted to the electors of the town at the general election to be held on November 3, 2026. The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form: “Shall an act, passed at the 2026 session of the General Assembly, entitled ‘AN ACT REGARDING MOTIONS AT THE TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING’ be approved?" and the warning for the election shall contain the question to be submitted. The Town Board of Canvassers may combine any two or more voting districts for the election and when so combined shall be treated as a voting district. If so combined, the Town Board of Canvassers shall advertise the combination of districts in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town. From the time the election is warned and until it is held, it shall be the duty of the Town Clerk to keep a copy of the act available at his or her office for public inspection, but the validity of the election shall not be affected by this requirement.
The town clerk of the town of Scituate shall forthwith after said town meeting certify to the secretary of state the result of this vote upon the question submitted.
SECTION 3. This section and section 2 of this act shall take effect upon passage, and the remainder of this act shall take effect upon the approval of this act by a majority of those voting on LC006497 - Page 2 of 4 the question at the election prescribed by section 2.
“Sec. 4. The town meeting for the ordering and disposing of taxes and consideration of all matters relating to the finances of said town, shall be held in the calendar year 2023 on the first Tuesday next after the first Monday in April at 7:00 P.M., and in the calendar year 2024 and thereafter on the first Tuesday in the month of June at 7:00 P.M., at which meeting the town moderator shall preside. The meeting shall be held in the town of Scituate at such location as the town council shall determine by resolution from time to time, unless the alternative provisions of § 45-3-4, are invoked by the town council. Provided that the appropriations recommended by the town council have been made no later than the fourth Thursday in April immediately preceding the town meeting to be held on the first Tuesday in June, no motion which increases or reduces an appropriation recommended by the town council by $10,000 or more, shall be in order at such meeting unless notice of intention to make such motion has been presented to the town treasurer with the signatures of not less than ten (10) qualified electors of the town no later than the May 15 immediately preceding said such meeting. Notice of such motion shall be included in the publication required under § 44-35-6. Provided notice of such motion has been made, then amendments made at such town meeting to such motion for any lesser amount may be considered at the town meeting.”
SECTION 2. The question of the acceptance or rejection of this act shall be submitted to the electors of the town at the general election to be held on November 3, 2026. The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form: “Shall an act, passed at the 2026 session of the General Assembly, entitled ‘AN ACT REGARDING MOTIONS AT THE TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING’ be approved?" and the warning for the election shall contain the question to be submitted. The Town Board of Canvassers may combine any two or more voting districts for the election and when so combined shall be treated as a voting district. If so combined, the Town Board of Canvassers shall advertise the combination of districts in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town. From the time the election is warned and until it is held, it shall be the duty of the Town Clerk to keep a copy of the act available at his or her office for public inspection, but the validity of the election shall not be affected by this requirement.
The town clerk of the town of Scituate shall forthwith after said town meeting certify to the secretary of state the result of this vote upon the question submitted.
SECTION 3. This section and section 2 of this act shall take effect upon passage, and the remainder of this act shall take effect upon the approval of this act by a majority of those voting on LC006497 - Page 2 of 4 the question at the election prescribed by section 2.
SECTION 1. Section 4 of Chapter 1321 of the Public Laws Of, 1915, entitled “An Act Fixing The Time For The Election Of Officers In The Town Of Scituate” as previously amended by Chapter 3777 of the Public Laws of 1956, and by Chapters 225 and 312 of the Public Laws of 2022, is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 4. The town meeting for the ordering and disposing of taxes and consideration of all matters relating to the finances of said town, shall be held in the calendar year 2023 on the first Tuesday next after the first Monday in April at 7:00 P.M., and in the calendar year 2024 and thereafter on the first Tuesday in the month of June at 7:00 P.M., at which meeting the town moderator shall preside. The meeting shall be held in the town of Scituate at such location as the town council shall determine by resolution from time to time, unless the alternative provisions of § 45-3-4, are invoked by the town council. Provided that the budget recommended by the town council has been made no later than the fourth Thursday in April immediately preceding the town meeting to be held on the first Tuesday in June, and such budget recommendation has been posted on the town's website within seven (7) calendar days thereafter, no motion which increases or reduces an appropriation recommended by the town council by $10,000 or more, shall be in order at such meeting unless notice of intention to make such motion has been presented to the town treasurer with the signatures of not less than ten (10) qualified electors of the town no later than the May 15 immediately preceding said such meeting. Notice of any such motion shall be included in the warrant required under § 45-3-8 or posted on the town's website at seven (7) days prior to such town meeting. Provided notice of such motion has been made, then amendments made at such town meeting to such motion for any lesser amount may be considered at the town meeting.”
SECTION 2. The question of the acceptance or rejection of this act shall be submitted to the electors of the town at the general election to be held on November 3, 2026. The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form: “Shall an act, passed at the 2026 session of the General Assembly, entitled ‘AN ACT REGARDING MOTIONS AT THE TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING’ be approved?" and the warning for the election shall contain the question to be submitted. The Town Board of Canvassers may combine any two or more voting districts for the election and when so combined shall be treated as a voting district. If so combined, the Town Board of Canvassers shall advertise the combination of districts in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town. From the time the election is warned and until it is held, it shall be the duty of the Town Clerk to keep a copy of the act available at his or her office for public inspection, but the validity of the election shall not be affected by this requirement.
The town clerk of the town of Scituate shall forthwith after said town meeting certify to the secretary of state the result of this vote upon the question submitted.
SECTION 3. This section and section 2 of this act shall take effect upon passage, and the remainder of this act shall take effect upon the approval of this act by a majority of those voting on LC006497/SUB A - Page 2 of 3 the question at the election prescribed by section 2.
“Sec. 4. The town meeting for the ordering and disposing of taxes and consideration of all matters relating to the finances of said town, shall be held in the calendar year 2023 on the first Tuesday next after the first Monday in April at 7:00 P.M., and in the calendar year 2024 and thereafter on the first Tuesday in the month of June at 7:00 P.M., at which meeting the town moderator shall preside. The meeting shall be held in the town of Scituate at such location as the town council shall determine by resolution from time to time, unless the alternative provisions of § 45-3-4, are invoked by the town council. Provided that the budget recommended by the town council has been made no later than the fourth Thursday in April immediately preceding the town meeting to be held on the first Tuesday in June, and such budget recommendation has been posted on the town's website within seven (7) calendar days thereafter, no motion which increases or reduces an appropriation recommended by the town council by $10,000 or more, shall be in order at such meeting unless notice of intention to make such motion has been presented to the town treasurer with the signatures of not less than ten (10) qualified electors of the town no later than the May 15 immediately preceding said such meeting. Notice of any such motion shall be included in the warrant required under § 45-3-8 or posted on the town's website at seven (7) days prior to such town meeting. Provided notice of such motion has been made, then amendments made at such town meeting to such motion for any lesser amount may be considered at the town meeting.”
SECTION 2. The question of the acceptance or rejection of this act shall be submitted to the electors of the town at the general election to be held on November 3, 2026. The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form: “Shall an act, passed at the 2026 session of the General Assembly, entitled ‘AN ACT REGARDING MOTIONS AT THE TOWN OF SCITUATE ANNUAL FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING’ be approved?" and the warning for the election shall contain the question to be submitted. The Town Board of Canvassers may combine any two or more voting districts for the election and when so combined shall be treated as a voting district. If so combined, the Town Board of Canvassers shall advertise the combination of districts in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town. From the time the election is warned and until it is held, it shall be the duty of the Town Clerk to keep a copy of the act available at his or her office for public inspection, but the validity of the election shall not be affected by this requirement.
The town clerk of the town of Scituate shall forthwith after said town meeting certify to the secretary of state the result of this vote upon the question submitted.
SECTION 3. This section and section 2 of this act shall take effect upon passage, and the remainder of this act shall take effect upon the approval of this act by a majority of those voting on LC006497/SUB A - Page 2 of 3 the question at the election prescribed by section 2.
Changes from S3316A:
The amended bill changes "appropriations" to "budget" for town council recommendations and requires the budget be posted on the town's website within seven days. Furthermore, notices of motions must now be included in the warrant under § 45-3-8 or posted on the town's website seven days prior to the meeting, replacing the publication requirement under § 44-35-6.
- "Provided that the appropriations recommended by the town council have been made" is changed to "Provided that the budget recommended by the town council has been made".
- Added the requirement that the budget recommendation must be "posted on the town's website within seven (7) calendar days thereafter".
- "Notice of such motion shall be included in the publication required under § 44-35-6" is changed to "Notice of any such motion shall be included in the warrant required under § 45-3-8 or posted on the town's website at seven (7) days prior to such town meeting."
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The amended bill changes "appropriations" to "budget" for town council recommendations and requires the budget be posted on the town's website within seven days. Furthermore, notices of motions must now be included in the warrant under § 45-3-8 or posted on the town's website seven days prior to the meeting, replacing the publication requirement under § 44-35-6.
- "Provided that the appropriations recommended by the town council have been made" is changed to "Provided that the budget recommended by the town council has been made".
- Added the requirement that the budget recommendation must be "posted on the town's website within seven (7) calendar days thereafter".
- "Notice of such motion shall be included in the publication required under § 44-35-6" is changed to "Notice of any such motion shall be included in the warrant required under § 45-3-8 or posted on the town's website at seven (7) days prior to such town meeting."
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