reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 7 § 53 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7 - Executive Office for Administration and Finance|Section 53 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 52 to 55

Section 53. As used in sections fifty-two to fifty-five, inclusive, the following words shall have the following meanings:—  ''Agency'', an executive office, department, division, board, commission or other office or officer in the executive branch of the government of the commonwealth, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Port Authority and the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority.  ''Business day'', any calendar day excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.  ''Dependent'', the spouse and children of an employee if such persons would qualify for dependent status under the Internal Revenue Code or for whom a support order has been or could be granted under chapter two hundred and eight, two hundred and nine, or two hundred and nine C.  ''Privatization contract'', an agreement or combination or series of agreements by which a non-governmental person or entity agrees with an agency to provide services, valued at $500,000, but as of January 1 each year, the amount shall increase to reflect increases in the consumer price index calculated by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics for all urban consumers nationally during the most recent 12 month period for which data are available or more, which are substantially similar to and in lieu of, services theretofore provided, in whole or in part, by regular employees of an agency. Any subsequent agreement, including any agreement resulting from a rebidding of previously privatized service, or any agreement renewing or extending a privatization contract, shall not be considered a privatization contract. A contract for information technology services shall not be considered a privatization contract if an employee organization recognized under chapter 150E, as the exclusive representative of an affected employee, as determined by the secretary of administration and finance, agrees to the terms of the contract in writing. An agreement solely to provide legal, management consulting, planning, engineering or design services shall not be considered a privatization contract.
MA Gen L ch 7 § 55 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7 - Executive Office for Administration and Finance|Section 55 - Objection by State Auditor; Review

Section 55. (a) An agency shall not make any privatization contract and no such contract shall be valid if, within thirty business days after receiving the certificate required by section fifty-four, the state auditor notifies the agency of his objection. Such objection shall be in writing and shall state specifically the state auditor's finding that the agency has failed to comply with one or more requirements of said section fifty-four, including that the state auditor finds incorrect, based on independent review of all the relevant facts, any of the findings required by paragraph (7) of said section fifty-four. The state auditor may extend the time for such objection for an additional period of 30 business days beyond the original 30 business days by written notice to the submitting agency stating the reason for such extension.  (b) For the purpose of reviewing the agency's compliance and certificate pursuant to said section fifty-four, the state auditor or his designee may require by summons the attendance and testimony under oath of witnesses and the production of books, papers and other records relating to such review. All provisions of law relative to summonses in civil cases, including the manner of service, the scope and relevance to such review, and the compensation of witnesses who are not state employees, shall apply to such summonses. Such summonses shall be enforced pursuant to section ten of chapter two hundred and thirty-three.  (c) The state auditor may adopt regulations and prescribe forms to carry out the provisions of this section and section fifty-four.  (d) The objection of the state auditor pursuant to subsection (a) shall be final and binding on the agency, unless the state auditor thereafter in writing withdraws the objection, stating the specific reasons, based upon a revised certificate by the agency and by the commissioner of administration and upon the state auditor's review thereof.
MA Gen L ch 7 § 56 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7 - Executive Office for Administration and Finance|Section 56 - Payments by State in Support of or in Opposition to an Employee Organization; Prohibition

Section 56. Payments by the commonwealth, or by any agency, authority or political subdivision thereof, pursuant to a contract with any person or entity shall not be made for the costs of any attorney, consultant or other person to advise, consult or provide any other service to such contracting person or entity relative to persuading employees thereof to support or oppose any organization of said employees or any other employee self-organization or concerted activity for mutual aid or protection. This section shall not apply to the costs of attorneys or consultants to assist in collective bargaining with a union or other employee organization recognized as said employees' bargaining agent or to administer a collective bargaining agreement.
MA Gen L ch 7 § 57 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7 - Executive Office for Administration and Finance|Section 57 - Statement of Policy Promoting Minority, Women and Veterans Businesses

Section 57. It is the policy of the commonwealth to promote and facilitate the fullest possible participation by all citizens in the affairs of the commonwealth and to foster an inclusive marketplace that offers competitive opportunity for businesses as diverse as the people of the commonwealth. Minority, women, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, disability and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender business enterprises frequently face systemic obstacles to achieving viable economic status. Various public and private programs have been initiated to assist these business enterprises, where applicable, to achieve economic viability, though many businesses have not been adequately informed of these programs because of inadequate coordination and communication efforts, with the result that many services available are never adequately delivered to those who need them. The state government has a special responsibility to see that all available services and programs are put to the best use. These steps are necessary to guarantee the fullest participation by all citizens of the commonwealth in the economy of the state and to guarantee the fullest benefits to citizens of programs and services available for assistance.
MA Gen L ch 7 § 58a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7 - Executive Office for Administration and Finance|Section 58a - Supplier Diversity Office

Section 58A. There shall be a supplier diversity office which shall be an office within the executive office for administration and finance.
MA Gen L ch 7 § 59 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7 - Executive Office for Administration and Finance|Section 59 - Executive Director of Supplier Diversity Office

Section 59. SDO shall have an executive director and such other specialists as may be authorized. The executive director shall have all necessary authority, subject to the direction, control and supervision of the secretary of the executive office for administration and finance, to appoint and utilize existing staff within the SDO and to direct the supplier diversity activities within state agencies to effect the purposes of sections 57 to 61, inclusive, and shall have the authority to seek such funds, public or private, as may be available and needed to carry out the intent of those sections.
MA Gen L ch 7 § 62 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7 - Executive Office for Administration and Finance|Section 62 - Annual Report on Capital Projects; Contents

Section 62. The executive office for administration and finance shall report annually to the house and senate committees on bonding, capital expenditures and state assets and the house and senate committees on ways and means, not later than November 1, a list of all capital projects, the legislation and line-item authorizing such funding, the municipalities and senate and house legislative districts in which such projects are located, the total estimated cost of each project and the total amount expended on each project in the immediately preceding fiscal year.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 1 - Office of the Comptroller; Appointment; Removal; Vacancies

Section 1. There shall be an office of the comptroller which shall be an independent state agency. The comptroller shall be the administrative and executive head of said office and shall be appointed by the governor for a term coterminous with the governor's. The person so appointed shall be selected without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability and an advanced degree in accounting, auditing, financial management, business administration, or public administration.  At the time of his appointment as comptroller, the person so appointed shall give bond in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars or such other amount as the advisory board to the comptroller shall fix for the faithful performance of his duties. Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter thirty the comptroller shall receive a salary as determined by the advisory board to the comptroller; provided, however, that the salary of the comptroller shall not be adjusted to reflect bond premiums nor shall such premiums be paid by or reimbursed by the office of the comptroller or with any state monies.  The person so appointed may be removed from said office, for cause, by the governor. Such cause shall include neglect of duty, misconduct, or conviction of a crime.  In the case of a vacancy in the position of comptroller, his successor shall be appointed in the same manner.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 2 - Advisory Board; Membership; Terms; Expenses; Duties

Section 2. There shall be an advisory board to the comptroller which shall consist of the attorney general, the treasurer, the secretary of administration and finance who shall be the chairman, the auditor, the court administrator of the trial court, and two persons who have experience in accounting, management, or public finance who shall be appointed by the governor, not more than one of which two shall be members of the same political party. The appointed members shall serve for three year terms, provided, that one such member shall be initially appointed for a two year term and one such member shall be initially appointed for a full three year term. The appointed members may be removed for cause and their successors shall be appointed in the same manner as an initial appointment. The members of the advisory board to the comptroller shall be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, but shall not be otherwise compensated for their services.  The advisory board to the comptroller shall meet at least four times a year. Said advisory board shall provide advice and counsel to the comptroller in the performance of his duties. The advisory board shall be responsible for reviewing any rules or regulations promulgated by the comptroller prior to their implementation. The advisory board shall also review prior to publication the annual financial report of the commonwealth published by the comptroller.  Any action of the advisory board shall be taken with the approval of no less than four members of the advisory board.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 5 - Bills and Vouchers; Certified Copies; Regulations

Section 5. All bills and vouchers on which money has been or may be paid from the treasury upon the certificate of the comptroller or the warrant of the governor shall be kept as prescribed by the office of the comptroller; and all departments, offices, commissions and institutions authorized to make contracts under which money may be payable from the treasury shall submit as directed by the comptroller, before payment, certified copies of the contracts. The comptroller shall publish regulations prescribing the medium, and the central repository location of such copies; provided, that such regulations shall ensure that the house and senate committees on ways and means have full access to such copies. The comptroller is authorized and directed to establish a vendor payment schedule which may be revised from time to time. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary such schedule shall be based on sound business principles as determined by the comptroller and shall provide for maximum utilization of discounts allowed for prompt payment and for the smallest possible issuance of revenue anticipation notes necessary under section 47 of chapter 29.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 5a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 5a - Late Penalty Interest Payments; Adoption of Rules and Regulations

Section 5A. The comptroller shall adopt rules and regulations, providing for the payment by the commonwealth of penalty interest in accordance with the provisions of section twenty-nine B of chapter twenty-nine and the U.S. Cash Management Improvement Act of 1990, 31 U.S.C. 650, et seq.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 7 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 7 - Accounting System; Forms and Books of Account

Section 7. The comptroller shall design and install an accounting system for the commonwealth and prescribe the requisite forms and books of account to be used by each department, office, commission and institution of the commonwealth. No form or book of account other than that prescribed as aforesaid shall be used without the approval of the comptroller. He may revise such forms, books or system from time to time. He shall prepare and distribute a book of instructions covering the use and application of said accounting system for the guidance of the various departments, offices, commissions and institutions of the commonwealth. Such instructions will pertain to the financial accounting of assets, liabilities, fund equities, revenues, and expenses of all funds unless specifically exempted by general or special law.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 8 - General Books of Account; Systems of Accounts; Treatment of Debtors; Late Charges

Section 8. The comptroller shall keep all general books of account and determine the extent and character of subsidiary accounts to be kept by all departments, offices, commissions and institutions of the commonwealth. He shall have full authority to prescribe, regulate and make changes in the method of keeping and rendering accounts, including adjustments for current or prior periods. He shall establish in each such department, office, commission and institution a proper system of accounts, which shall be uniform so far as is practicable, and a proper system of accounting for supplies, materials and fixed assets. He shall provide such safeguards and systems of checking as will ensure, so far as possible, the proper collection of all revenue due the commonwealth. The comptroller shall review at least annually all accounting systems related to nontax revenue for conformity to and compatibility with the standards of performance embodied in the state accounting system. Based on such reviews, the comptroller is authorized to direct state departments to implement such changes in such accounting systems as he deems necessary to meet statewide standards. Such direction shall govern all commonwealth funds and accounts unless specifically exempted by general or special law.  The comptroller is further authorized to direct departments to withhold services, exclusive of those related to health, welfare or public safety which are mandated by law, from any debtor as defined in section one of chapter sixty-two D subject to regulations promulgated by the comptroller. Such regulations shall include but not be limited to the following requirements:  (1) that the creditor agency issue four written notices to the debtor over a one hundred and twenty day period prior to requesting withholding of such services;  (2) that such notices advise the debtor of his right to a hearing before said agency; and  (3) that, unless otherwise provided by law, said agency shall hold a hearing pursuant to the provisions of chapter thirty A upon timely written application of the debtor.  Said regulations may authorize the comptroller to waive requirements at the request of an agency head provided that all waivers shall be in writing and state the reasons therefor.  The comptroller shall set late charges and flat fees in accordance with section 29H of chapter 29.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 9 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 9 - Distinct Accounts

Section 9. The comptroller shall keep a distinct account, under appropriate headings, of all revenues and expenses. He shall keep an account of all funds and of other public property and of all debts and obligations due to and from the commonwealth; and for such purpose he shall have free access to the books and papers of all departments, offices, commissions and institutions for all accounts and funds of the commonwealth unless specifically exempted by general or special law.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 9a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 9a - Audit of Commonwealth Financial Operations; Procedures

Section 9A. The comptroller is hereby authorized and directed to work with the state auditor's office and other audit entities as appropriate to ensure the audit of commonwealth financial operations in conformity to generally accepted auditing standards and generally accepted governmental auditing standards. In the performance of the state auditor's or other audit entity's functions relative to audit, the records, resources, and full cooperation of the office of the comptroller shall be available.  The comptroller shall review, revise and publish internal control guidelines mandated by chapter six hundred and forty-seven of the acts of nineteen hundred and eighty-nine. In making such revisions he shall consult with the office of the state auditor to ensure the guidelines accurately reflect the role of the office of state auditor in the review and oversight of internal control practices.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 10 - Reconciliation of Accounting Statements Included Reports With Official Books and Records

Section 10. The comptroller shall establish policies and procedures that require all accounting statements included in reports of departments, offices and commissions to reconcile to the official books and records of the commonwealth before the publication of such reports. No such report shall be published by any such department, office or commission until such statements are so confirmed.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 11 - Furnishing of Accounting Statements

Section 11. The office of the comptroller shall be properly equipped, subject to appropriation, and shall furnish to the agencies within the executive office of administration and finance, to the house and senate committees on ways and means, and to other state agencies and other individuals as required by law or as the advisory board to the comptroller shall direct, all accounting statements relating to the financial status, funds, reserves, appropriation control and cost of operation of the commonwealth at the end of the state fiscal year and at intermediate monthly periods when such information is needed in effecting economies before appropriations have been exhausted, or for other purposes.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 13 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 13 - Budget Preparation; Co-Operation of Comptroller's Office

Section 13. In the exercise of the budget director's functions relative to the preparation of the budget, the records, resources and full co-operation of the office of the comptroller shall be available.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 14 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 14 - Penalties

Section 14. The comptroller or any employee in the office of the comptroller who knowingly violates, authorizes or directs another employee to violate any provision of this chapter or chapter twenty-nine shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a jail or a house of correction for not more than one year, or both. In addition, if convicted of such violation the comptroller shall forfeit the bond required pursuant to section one.
MA Gen L ch 7a § 15 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 7a - Office of the Comptroller|Section 15 - Rules and Regulations

Section 15. Subject to prior review by the advisory board to the comptroller, the comptroller is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out his responsibilities under the provisions of this chapter or other applicable laws. Such rules and regulations shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter thirty A.