If you ever have any questions or comments on MAR’s advocacy efforts or just want to chat about a recent or upcoming meeting with your legislator, contact MAR Staff Attorney Jonny Schreiber, jschreiber@marealtor.com (781) 839-5520.
November Highlights:
Leading the Discussion on Short-Term Rentals
11/1 & 11/4 – Leading the Discussion on Short-Term Rentals – MAR Staff Attorney, Jonny Schreiber, spoke at two events on the new MA short-term rental law, one hosted by CCIAOR and the other hosted by the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA).
MAR testified at the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) hearing
11/5 – Building Code – MAR testified at the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) hearing in favor of taking a measured approach to increasing building code requirements. Specifically, MAR urged the BBRS to consider practical implications and the impact on home prices of moving too quickly to a net-zero stretch energy code.
11/20 – End of Formal Session – This was the last day of the formal session in 2019. The Legislature passed a significant education funding package and a distracted driving bill but failed to reach an agreement on a supplemental budget bill. Despite a strong push from MAR and its coalition partners, the Housing Choices (H.3507) bill did not advance. We will continue working on that bill and our other priorities when the second year of this two-year legislative cycle resumes with formal sessions in January.
11/21 – Government Affairs Committee – The MAR GAC welcomed zoning expert Amy Dain to present on the current state of zoning in Massachusetts and discuss her findings. The Committee also discussed H.3293, which would permit limited e-notarization, ultimately deciding to take no formal position on the bill.
A Look Ahead: December
With the last day of scheduled formal sessions behind us, we anticipate that December will be a quiet month legislatively.