reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 121b § 54 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121b - Housing and Urban Renewal|Section 54 - State Aid for Urban Renewal; Determination of Compliance and Final Approved Cost; Notice

Section 54. Upon receipt of an application under the provisions of section fifty-three the department shall examine such application and any facts, estimates or other information relative thereto, and shall determine whether the proposed project complies with the provisions of the general laws and with rules and regulations prescribed in accordance therewith governing the approval and administration of urban renewal assistance grants or urban revitalization and development grants. Upon the determination of satisfactory compliance, the department shall determine the estimated approved cost of such project, and compute the amount of the urban renewal assistance grant or urban revitalization and development grant to which the city or town would be entitled under section fifty-five.  Within a reasonable time after receipt of such application, the department shall notify such city or town of its approval or rejection thereof, and, in the event of its rejection, of the reasons therefor. If the department rejects such application, the city or town may elect to proceed with such project without the benefit of said urban renewal assistance grant or urban revitalization and development grant. Notice of approval hereunder shall be accompanied by a statement of the estimated approved cost as determined by the department and an estimate of the amount of urban renewal assistance grant or urban revitalization and development grant to which such city or town may be entitled under the provisions of section fifty-five.  The final approved cost shall be determined by the department within a reasonable time after the completion of the urban renewal project by the urban renewal agency.  If the determination of the final approved cost is delayed because the project is not completed, the payments preceding determination of the final approved cost may be based upon the estimated approved cost, and adjustments shall be made in the payment or payments which are made subsequent to the determination of the final approved cost.
MA Gen L ch 121b § 55 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121b - Housing and Urban Renewal|Section 55 - State Aid for Urban Renewal; Certification and Payment of Grants

Section 55. From time to time, the department shall certify to the comptroller, and the state treasurer shall, within thirty days after each such certification, pay to the several cities and towns, from any amounts appropriated therefor, the amounts due them in accordance with the following clauses:—  (a) Certification may be made only of projects with respect to which contracts for federal capital grants under Title I of the Federal Housing Act of 1949, as amended, have been signed.  (b) The total urban renewal assistance grant for any approved federally-aided project as defined in clause (a) shall not exceed one half of the local share of the contribution required from the municipality under the federal capital grant contract or more than one sixth of the net project cost when the municipality pays for administrative planning and legal expenses as a part of the gross project cost.  (c) The total urban renewal assistance grant to be paid under the provisions of this section shall be payable in twenty equal annual installments, except that the department may adjust the annual payment upon final determination of the net cost of each approved project.  (d) The total amount of urban renewal assistance grants to be paid under this section shall not exceed $4,500,000 in any one fiscal year or a total of $70,000,000 in the aggregate.
MA Gen L ch 121b § 56 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121b - Housing and Urban Renewal|Section 56 - State Aid for Urban Renewal; Contract to Provide Financial Assistance

Section 56. The commonwealth, acting by and through the department, may contract with the cities and towns of the commonwealth, acting by and through urban renewal agencies to provide financial assistance for residential, commercial including the conduct of a trade or business by governmental or nonprofit entities or industrial urban renewal projects as authorized by the provisions of this chapter. Such state financial assistance may be provided only for projects which are to be redeveloped for residential, commercial or industrial reuse, and which projects are ineligible for federal capital grants under federal legislation or for which a grant application has been denied. In determining whether a project is rendered ineligible for federal capital-grant assistance, the provisions of federal legislation permitting a limited amount of redevelopment for nonresidential uses need not be considered unless federal funds have been made available under such provisions.
MA Gen L ch 121b § 57 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121b - Housing and Urban Renewal|Section 57 - State Aid for Urban Renewal; Advance of Funds; Amount; Payments

Section 57. The department may make advances of funds to local urban renewal agencies for up to seventy-five per cent of the estimated cost of surveys and plans and administrative expenses in preparation of projects which may be assisted under this section, and contracts for such advances of funds shall be made upon the condition that such advances of funds shall be repaid out of any moneys which become available to such agency for the undertaking of the project or projects under this section and section fifty-six.  The contracts referred to in section fifty-six shall provide for a state grant-in-aid equal to one half of the net cost of each project as determined by the department. Any such contract shall provide that no state grant-in-aid shall be made until the city or town shall have appropriated the funds required for the entire project cost excluding funds otherwise available.  From time to time the department shall certify to the state comptroller, and the state treasurer shall, within thirty days after such certification, pay to the several cities and towns, from any amounts appropriated therefor, the amounts due them in accordance with the provisions of section fifty-six and of the following clauses:—  (a) The total state grant-in-aid for any approved project shall not exceed one half of the net cost of project, including advances for surveys, planning and administrative expenses, with respect to which a contract under the provisions of section fifty-six and this section has been signed.  (b) The total amount of urban renewal assistance grants or urban revitalization and development grants to be paid under the provisions of this section shall be payable in twenty equal annual installments, except that the department may deduct any advances of funds for surveys and plans and administrative expenses from the commonwealth's share before determining said twenty equal annual installments, and may adjust the annual payment upon final determination of the net cost of each approved project.  (c) The total amount of urban renewal assistance grants to be paid under the provisions of this section shall not exceed one million dollars in any one fiscal year or a total of twenty million dollars in the aggregate, including amounts authorized by the department to be advanced for the estimated expenses as provided in the first paragraph.  (d) The total amount of urban revitalization and development grants to be paid under this section shall not exceed $4,400,000 in any 1 fiscal year or a total of $60,000,000 in the aggregate, including amounts authorized by the department to be advanced for the estimated expenses as provided in the first paragraph.
MA Gen L ch 121b § 58 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121b - Housing and Urban Renewal|Section 58 - Other Urban Renewal Programs; Declaration of Necessity

Section 58. It is hereby declared (a) that there exist in certain cities and towns in the commonwealth substandard dwelling houses in urban renewal project areas which constitute a serious and growing menace and create a housing shortage, injurious to the public health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of the commonwealth, and the declarations heretofore made in this chapter with respect to such areas are hereby reaffirmed; (b) that while many of such dwelling houses may require acquisition and clearance as provided in this chapter because their state of deterioration may make impracticable their reclamation by conservation or rehabilitation, others in such areas are in such condition that they may, through the means provided in section fifty-nine, be conserved or rehabilitated in such a manner that the conditions and evils hereinbefore enumerated may be alleviated or eliminated so that such dwelling houses may be returned to or remain in private ownership and be available as decent, safe and sanitary housing; and (c) that all powers conferred by said section fifty-nine are for public uses and purposes for which public money may be expended.
MA Gen L ch 121c § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121c - Economic Development and Industrial Corporations|Section 4 - Corporate Seal; Officers; Bond; Accounts; Annual Audit and Report; Management of Affairs and Property

Section 4. The directors of the corporation shall adopt a corporate seal for the corporation, and designate the custodian thereof; may from time to time appoint and at pleasure remove a clerk, a treasurer or such other officers of the corporation as they may deem necessary, and may determine their duties and their compensation, which shall be paid by the corporation; shall cause at all times accurate accounts to be kept of all receipts and expenditures of the funds of the corporation; and shall make a report annually in December to the municipality, MOBD and to the director, containing an abstract of such accounts and detailed information of all receipts and expenditures, including prices paid for land purchased or taken and any buildings constructed thereon, contracts for construction of facilities and for the leasing thereof, and such other detailed information as may be deemed helpful. The office of treasurer and clerk may be held by the same person. The corporation shall cause an audit of its books and accounts to be made at least once in each fiscal year by certified public accountants and the cost thereof shall be treated as an item of current expense. Except as otherwise provided in this act, the corporation shall have full power to exercise care of its property and the management of its business and affairs, and to sell and convey any real estate or other property not needed for its business or affairs, by deed or other instrument sealed with the corporate seal, signed and acknowledged by a majority of the board of directors or in like manner to authorize such sale and conveyance by any of its officers or agents. The treasurer shall give bond for the faithful performance of his duties, with a surety company authorized to do business in this commonwealth as surety, in such sum as the said board may determine, the premium therefor to be paid by the corporation. Neither chapter thirty-one nor any rule made thereunder shall apply to any person employed or engaged by the corporation under this act.
MA Gen L ch 121c § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121c - Economic Development and Industrial Corporations|Section 6 - Economic Development Projects; Approval; Procedural Requisites

Section 6. No economic development project shall be undertaken until (a) a public hearing relating to the economic development plan covering such project has been held by the corporation after due notice; (b) the economic development plan has been approved by the municipality by an affirmative two thirds vote of the city council with the approval of the mayor or city manager, as the case may be in a city or by an affirmative two thirds vote of an annual town meeting or a special town meeting called for the purpose in a town. If no economic development project covered by an economic development plan is commenced within seven years after the approval of such plan, the approval of such plan shall lapse.  Every economic development plan submitted to the municipality for approval under this act (i) shall require that every person occupying the whole or any part of the economic development area covered by such plan during the period of forty years after the approval of such plan shall make every reasonable effort, in employing persons in his business, to give to the fullest practicable extent preference to residents of the municipality and (ii) shall be accompanied by a report on such plan by the planning agency of the municipality to whom such plan shall have been submitted before its submission to the municipality by a statement of the proposed method for financing each project covered by such plan, by a comprehensive relocation plan and by such other information as the corporation deems advisable.  Notice of the public hearing required by the first paragraph of this section shall be given by the corporation to (1) such persons, groups and organizations as have requested in writing that such notice be given them, (2) MOBD and director and agency, whether of the city or of the commonwealth, likely in the judgment of the corporation to have an actual or potential interest in the economic development plan, (3) the senator for every senatorial district of the commonwealth, and the representative for every representative district thereof, within which the economic development area or any part thereof lies, and (4) each community group supported in whole or in part by public funds, whose territory covers all or part of the economic development area. In the course of preparing an economic development plan, the corporation shall consult with each of the aforesaid so far as in the judgment of the corporation it is practicable.  If an economic development plan is so approved by the municipality the corporation shall have the powers and duties imposed by this act to undertake and carry out the economic development projects covered by such plan. The corporation shall not be required to submit an economic development plan so approved to the department of housing and community development for further approval.
MA Gen L ch 121c § 7 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121c - Economic Development and Industrial Corporations|Section 7 - Rents and Charges for Service or Facilities Furnished or Supplied; Control and Application; Sinking Fund for Revenue Bond Obligations

Section 7. Except as provided herein rents and charges for services or facilities furnished or supplied by the corporation shall not be subject to supervision or regulation by any department, division, commission, board, bureau or agency of the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, and, if derived from a project in connection with which revenue bonds have been issued, shall, with all other revenues derived from the project, except such part thereof as may be necessary to pay such cost of maintenance, repair and operation and to provide such reserves therefor as may be provided for in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust agreement, but including such part thereof as may be necessary to provide such reserves for the payment of the principal of and the interest on said revenue bonds as may be provided for in such resolution or trust agreement, and including also the proceeds of any and all sales by the corporation of property within the project area, be set aside at such regular intervals as may be provided for in such resolution or trust agreement, in a sinking fund which is hereby pledged to and charged with the payment of (1) the interest upon such bonds as such interest shall fall due, (2) the principal of the bonds as the same shall fall due, (3) the necessary charges of paying agents for paying principal and interest, and (4) the redemption price or the purchase price of bonds retired by call or purchase as therein provided.
MA Gen L ch 121c § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121c - Economic Development and Industrial Corporations|Section 8 - Corporate Liability in Contract or in Tort

Section 8. The corporation shall be liable in contract or in tort in the same manner as a private corporation. The directors, employees, officers and agents of the corporation shall not be liable as such on its contracts or for torts not committed or directly authorized by them. The property or funds of the corporation shall not be subject to attachment or to levy and sale on execution, but if the corporation refuses to pay a judgment entered against it in any court of competent jurisdiction, the superior court, sitting within and for the county in which the corporation is situated, may, by writ of mandamus, direct the treasurer of such agency to pay such judgment. The real estate of the corporation shall not be subject to liens under chapter two hundred fifty-four but the provisions of sections twenty-eight and twenty-nine of chapter one hundred forty-nine shall be applicable to any construction work by the corporation.
MA Gen L ch 121c § 9 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121c - Economic Development and Industrial Corporations|Section 9 - Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property Exempt From Taxation and Assessments; Payments in Lieu of Taxes; Taxation of Certain Real Estate; Exemption of Income or Profits From Transfer of Corporation Obligations

Section 9. The real estate and tangible personal property of the corporation shall be deemed to be public property used for essential public and governmental purposes and shall be exempt from taxation and from betterments and special assessments; provided, that in lieu of such taxes, betterments and special assessments, the municipality may determine a sum to be paid to it annually in any year or period of years, such sum to be in any year not in excess of the amount that would be levied at the then current tax rate upon the average of the assessed value of such real estate, including buildings and other structures, for the three years preceding the year of acquisition thereof, the valuation for each year being reduced by all abatements thereon.  The municipality may, however, agree with the corporation upon the payments to be made, or the corporation may make and the municipality may accept such payments, the amount of which shall not in either case be subject to the foregoing limitation. The last paragraph of section six and all of section seven of chapter fifty-nine shall, so far as apt, be applicable to payments under this section.  Nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent the taxation to the same extent and in the same manner as other real estate is taxed, of real estate acquired by the corporation for an economic development project and sold by it, or the taxation to the same extent and in the same manner as real estate of the commonwealth is taxed, of real estate so acquired by the corporation and leased by it; provided, however, that real estate so acquired by the corporation and sold or leased to an urban redevelopment corporation or other entity operating under chapter one hundred twenty-one A or to an insurance company or savings bank or group of savings banks operating under said chapter, shall be taxed as provided in said chapter and not otherwise.  The corporation and the debentures, revenue bonds and revenue refunding bonds issued under the provisions of this act, their transfer and the income therefrom including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free from taxation by the commonwealth or any subdivision thereof.
MA Gen L ch 121c § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121c - Economic Development and Industrial Corporations|Section 10 - Debentures; Issuance Authorized; Trust Agreements as Security

Section 10. To provide funds for the general purposes of the corporation, including working capital, the corporation may from time to time issue debentures; provided, however, that such debentures outstanding at any one time shall not exceed five million dollars unless specifically approved by MOBD and the director. Such debentures unless otherwise authorized by law shall not be deemed to constitute a debt of the commonwealth or of the municipality or a pledge of the faith and credit of the commonwealth or of the municipality and shall be subordinated to all other obligations of the corporation and shall be payable at such time or times and in such installments, if any, as the corporation shall determine, but solely out of the net assets of the corporation; and the holders thereof shall be entitled to interest thereon but only out of the net earnings of the corporation, and in no event at a rate higher than the rate specified therein.  Such debentures may be secured by a trust agreement by and between the corporation and a corporate trustee, which shall be located within the commonwealth and shall be a trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company. Such trust agreement shall contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the debenture holders as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law. It shall be lawful for any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the commonwealth which may act as depository under such trust agreement to furnish such indemnifying bonds or to pledge such securities as may be required by the corporation. Such trust agreement shall set forth the rights and remedies of the debentureholders and of the trustee, and may restrict the individual right of action by debentureholders. In addition to the foregoing, such trust agreement may contain such other provisions as the corporation may deem reasonable and proper for the security of the debentureholders. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of such trust agreement may be treated as an item of current expense.
MA Gen L ch 121c § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121c - Economic Development and Industrial Corporations|Section 11 - Municipal Indebtedness in Aid of Corporation

Section 11. The municipality may raise and appropriate or may borrow, or may agree with the corporation or with the federal government or the commonwealth to raise and appropriate or to borrow, in aid of the corporation, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and powers of the corporation including defraying part of the development, acquisition and operating costs of any project. Indebtedness of the municipality authorized under this section shall be outside the limit of indebtedness prescribed in section ten of chapter forty-four and shall be payable within twenty years and otherwise subject to sections sixteen to twenty-seven, inclusive, of said chapter forty-four; provided, however, that the total amount of indebtedness of the municipality, outstanding at any one time under this section and clauses one, two, and four of section twenty of chapter one hundred twenty-one B shall not exceed five per cent of the municipality equalized valuation as defined in section one of said chapter forty-four.