August is a relatively quiet month with the Legislature out of formal session, but there’s still plenty to talk about.
August Highlights
- 8/ 6 – Blake Decker, CEO of Pretty Picky Properties, Ryan Castle, CEO of CCIAOR, and Jonny Schreiber testified before the Department of Revenue (DOR) on draft short-term rental regulations. The testimony focused on requesting more clarity in the regulations and a level playing field for Realtors®. “It was empowering to take part in this process,” said Decker. “Our testimony will help DOR better understand our unique role in the short-term rental industry. I am proud that MAR with CCIAOR is standing up for our interests.”
- 8/9 – The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development released draft regulations on the short-term rental registry. We discussed the issue with their legal team on August 26 and will be submitting written comments in early September.
- 8/9 – Realtors Property Resource announced that it will include data on Opportunity Zones. To learn more about this new federal program, click here or contact MAR Legal and Government Affairs Coordinator, Zach Ryan.
- 8/13 – GAC Chairperson Amy Wallick recorded the second quarter video update. View it here.
- 8/27 – MAR submitted written comments opposing S.789 because it includes a transfer tax and will weaken affordable housing law and decrease affordable housing production.
Call for Feedback
As part of our advocacy efforts, MAR is gathering stories demonstrating the need for S.2066, a bill we’ve long supported. Please e-mail Jonny Schreiber if you know of any such stories. The bill would streamline the process for neighborhoods to fund and manage the maintenance of private ways and utilities. Possible examples might include homeowners frustrated by neighbors refusing to pay for upkeep or challenges accessing VA or Fannie Mae mortgages.
A Look Ahead: September
- 9/10-9/11 – MAR CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW – Visit us at the MAR Trade Show booth, attend our “Legal Hotline LIVE” program on 9/11 at 9:00 AM or check in with us at any of the events!
- The Legislature will return with plenty of work to do. It’s hard to predict what exactly will move and when, but we’re keeping an eye out for more hearings on our bills of interest. Sometime in the fall, we anticipate the Senate will release its own climate resiliency bill to counter the House’s GreenWorks proposal.
- We will submit written comments to EOHED on their short-term rental regulations (see above for more information and future issues for the full comments).
If you ever have any questions or comments on our advocacy, contact MAR Staff Attorney Jonny Schreiber, jschreiber@marealtor.com, (781) 839-5520.