reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 40b § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 5 - Powers and Duties; Reports

Section 5. A planning commission established hereunder shall make careful studies of the resources, problems, possibilities and needs of its district and, on the basis of such studies, shall prepare a comprehensive plan of development or a schematic study plan of such district or of such part or parts thereof as the commission may deem necessary and in such plans shall make such recommendations for the physical, social, governmental or economic improvement of the district as in their opinion will be in the best interest of the inhabitants of the district. Such plans and recommendations shall concern, among other things, the general use of the district, including land use, principal highways and expressways, bridges, airports, public utilities, public facilities, parks, recreational areas, public institutions and such other matters as in the opinion of said commission will be beneficial to the district and will promote with the greatest efficiency and economy the coordinated development of the district and the general welfare and prosperity of its people. Before the adoption of any such regional plan or a portion thereof, the district planning commission shall hold at least one public hearing thereon, notice of the time, place and subject of which shall be given. Written notice of such hearing shall be given to each planning board, board of selectmen, and city council. Notice of the time, place and subject of the hearing shall be published at least once in a newspaper having substantial circulation in the region at least ten days before such hearing. Adoption of such plan or portion thereof shall be by a majority vote of the representatives of the district planning commission. Such plan may be amended from time to time in the same manner as hereinbefore provided. A copy of the plan adopted by the commission or any amendments thereto signed by the chairman shall be filed with the town clerk of each member municipality not more than thirty days after commission action. Such plan or portion of a plan shall be a public record. Such district planning commission shall also assist the planning boards of the several cities and towns within the area of its jurisdiction in applying any district plans and recommendations so adopted to the local board's area of jurisdiction.  Such planning commission shall report annually to the city councils and town meetings of the cities and towns within its district, showing the status of its plans and recommendations. Such plans and recommendations shall be advisory only.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 5a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 5a - Agreement for Water Favorability Studies

Section 5A. Such commission may enter into an agreement with the water resources commission for the purpose of conducting water favorability studies under the direction of the water resources commission, as authorized by section nine of chapter twenty-one. The district's share of the cost of such studies shall be assessed against the constituent cities and towns in accordance with the provisions of section seven of this chapter.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 5b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 5b - Economic Development Regional Commissions; Authorization to Act

Section 5B. A district planning commission may, by an affirmative vote of two thirds of the representatives of the cities and towns comprising the district, agree to act as, and to assume the duties, obligations, and responsibilities of, an economic development regional commission for as many of the cities and towns within its area of jurisdiction as it may deem proper and logical, subject to the availability of funds for such purpose; provided, however, that said cities and towns shall be eligible for designation as an economic development region, hereinafter called the region, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965. Additional eligible cities and towns may be added to or deleted from the region by an affirmative vote of two thirds of the representatives of the cities and towns comprising the district.  The district planning commission members and alternate designees of the cities and towns comprising the region shall constitute the economic development regional commission. In addition, such technical and advisory committees as are necessary and required by the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of said Act for the purpose of providing advice and guidance to the region.  The economic development regional commission may prepare economic development programs which shall be public records and may be changed or supplemented from time to time by a majority vote of the representatives of the cities and towns comprising the region. Said regional commission may conduct feasibility and implementation studies for public facilities and programs and develop public and private development projects which are consistent with and which aid in implementing the objectives of said commission. Said regional commission may advertise and otherwise promote the implementation of its plans and recommendations for the economic and industrial development of the region and may sponsor conferences, institutes, seminars and training programs on behalf of the region.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 6 - Cooperation of State Agencies With Planning Commissions

Section 6. The several officers, boards, commissions, departments and divisions of the commonwealth and city and town officials may consult with any such district planning commission and shall furnish or make available to it on request all data and information within their knowledge and control pertaining to the area of jurisdiction of such commission.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 8 - Borrowing in Anticipation of Revenue From Member Municipalities

Section 8. The district may authorize debt by a majority vote of the commission in anticipation of revenue to an amount not in excess of that to be received during the current fiscal year from member cities and towns. Notes issued under authority of this section shall be in the name of and upon the full faith and credit of the district, and said notes shall be signed by the treasurer of the district, and the chairman of the district planning commission shall countersign and approve them in the presence of the clerk of the district who shall certify to the fact on the face thereof. Such notes shall be payable, and shall be paid not later than one year from their dates, and shall not be renewed or paid by the issue of new notes, except as provided in section seventeen of chapter forty-four.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 9 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 9 - Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District; Establishment

Section 9. The director of economic development may establish a regional planning and economic development district consisting of all the cities and towns in the Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Planning District established under this chapter, and the towns of Plymouth, Plympton, Carver and Kingston, to be known as the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District, provided a determination is made by the United States Secretary of Commerce that said area is eligible for designation as an economic development district in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 10 - Membership; Termination

Section 10. Upon the designation of the regional planning and economic development district by the director of economic development, all cities and towns within the boundaries of the district shall become members of the district. The director of economic development may from time to time review the boundaries of the district so established and, if he deems it in the best interest of the district, he may with approval of a majority of the members of the regional planning and economic development commission include additional cities and towns, or he may exclude cities and towns from said district; provided, however, that prior to such increase or decrease in the membership of the district, the director of economic development shall consult with the mayor of a city, or the city manager in a city having a Plan D or Plan E form of government, or the selectmen of a town to be included or excluded from such district.  The city or town may, after it has been a member of a regional planning and economic development district for a period of not less than five consecutive calendar years, terminate its membership in the district by a two thirds vote of the city council or by vote of a town meeting or town in favor of terminating such membership. Said termination shall become effective at the end of the calendar year within which said termination is voted.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 12 - Commission; Membership; Appointment; Term

Section 12. In the regional planning and economic development district established pursuant to section nine, there shall be a regional planning and economic development commission which shall consist of the mayor of each city, or in a city that has a Plan D or Plan E form of government the city manager, or their designees, a member appointed by the board of selectmen of each town included within said district who need not be a member of the board of selectmen, a member appointed by the planning board of each such city or town who need not be a member of the planning board. Each member shall be appointed for a term of one year commencing June first of the year appointed to May thirty-first of the succeeding year, and the appointment or reappointment of each member shall be certified annually to the commission by the appointing authority in the month of May. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions, the commission may increase its membership by not more than six in order to provide representation to low-income and minority groups.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 13 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 13 - Advisory Committee; Membership; Appointment; Term; Removal; Vacancies

Section 13. Twenty-one persons residing within the district shall be appointed to an advisory committee for the purpose of providing advice and guidance to said commission and said persons shall be representative of business, labor, professional and civic organizations and other economic interests within the district. Nine members shall be appointed by the director of economic development with the approval of the governor, and twelve members shall be appointed by the commission. Of the initial appointees of the director of economic development, three shall be appointed for a term of one year, three for a term of two years and three for a term of three years. Of the initial appointees of said commission, four shall be appointed for a term of one year, four for a term of two years and four for a term of three years. Upon the expiration of a term of a member of the advisory committee or upon written resignation, his successor shall be appointed in like manner for a term of three years, or for the balance of the unexpired term. A member may be removed and a vacancy declared by majority vote of the advisory committee at a regular meeting thereof, consequent upon three consecutive absences from regular advisory committee meetings, and his successor shall be appointed in like manner as the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term. Each member of said advisory committee shall continue to serve as such until his successor is appointed and qualified. The commission shall, in its by-laws, provide appropriate procedures for the referral of problems, issues and policies for deliberation by the advisory committee.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 16 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 16 - Executive Director; Employees; Tenure; Compensation

Section 16. The commission shall employ, and may remove, an executive director, who shall be qualified by education, training and experience in economic development, regional and program planning, and community relations. The executive director, on behalf of and with the approval of the commission, shall employ and appoint all other employees of the commission, including temporary or part-time personnel. The executive director and other employees of the commission shall not be subject to chapter thirty-one nor to section nine A of chapter thirty. The commission shall determine and establish the compensation and other terms, conditions and benefits of employment for all employees of the commission.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 17 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 17 - Contracts; Expenditures and Obligations

Section 17. The commission is authorized to enter into contracts and agreements with any department, agency or subdivision of federal or state government and any individual, corporation, association or public authority to provide or to receive services, facilities, staff assistance or money payments in connection with the work of the commission, and the commission may contribute or receive services, facilities, staff assistance or money payments as consideration in such contracts or agreements. The commission shall approve all contracts which shall be signed by the chairman and treasurer.  The commission may make expenditures and incur obligations for services and other expenses, subject to the following conditions and limitations: The commission may expend such amounts in addition to its annual assessment upon the cities and towns in the district as the commission may receive under any federal or state law, or by gift, grant, contract or agreement from any source, including grants, bequests, gifts or contributions made by any individual, corporation, association, public authority or department, agency or subdivision of the federal or state government.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 19 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 19 - Data Exchange Between Agencies

Section 19. There shall be a mutual exchange between the commission and all agencies of the commonwealth and of each political subdivision thereof within the district, of data, records, and information within their knowledge and control pertaining to the district, or to parts thereof which may be required for the preparation of programs designed to achieve the purposes of this chapter.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 21 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 21 - Low or Moderate Income Housing; Applications for Approval of Proposed Construction; Hearing; Appeal

Section 21. Any public agency or limited dividend or nonprofit organization proposing to build low or moderate income housing may submit to the board of appeals, established under section twelve of chapter forty A, a single application to build such housing in lieu of separate applications to the applicable local boards. The board of appeals shall forthwith notify each such local board, as applicable, of the filing of such application by sending a copy thereof to such local boards for their recommendations and shall, within thirty days of the receipt of such application, hold a public hearing on the same. The board of appeals shall request the appearance at said hearing of such representatives of said local boards as are deemed necessary or helpful in making its decision upon such application and shall have the same power to issue permits or approvals as any local board or official who would otherwise act with respect to such application, including but not limited to the power to attach to said permit or approval conditions and requirements with respect to height, site plan, size or shape, or building materials as are consistent with the terms of this section. The board of appeals, in making its decision on said application, shall take into consideration the recommendations of the local boards and shall have the authority to use the testimony of consultants. The board of appeals shall adopt rules, not inconsistent with the purposes of this chapter, for the conduct of its business pursuant to this chapter and shall file a copy of said rules with the city or town clerk. The provisions of section eleven of chapter forty A shall apply to all such hearings. The board of appeals shall render a decision, based upon a majority vote of said board, within forty days after the termination of the public hearing and, if favorable to the applicant, shall forthwith issue a comprehensive permit or approval. If said hearing is not convened or a decision is not rendered within the time allowed, unless the time has been extended by mutual agreement between the board and the applicant, the application shall be deemed to have been allowed and the comprehensive permit or approval shall forthwith issue. Any person aggrieved by the issuance of a comprehensive permit or approval may appeal to the court as provided in section seventeen of chapter forty A.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 22 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 22 - Appeal to Housing Appeals Committee; Procedure; Judicial Review

Section 22. Whenever an application filed under the provisions of section twenty-one is denied, or is granted with such conditions and requirements as to make the building or operation of such housing uneconomic, the applicant shall have the right to appeal to the housing appeals committee in the department of housing and community development for a review of the same. Such appeal shall be taken within twenty days after the date of the notice of the decision by the board of appeals by filing with said committee a statement of the prior proceedings and the reasons upon which the appeal is based. The committee shall forthwith notify the board of appeals of the filing of such petition for review and the latter shall, within ten days of the receipt of such notice, transmit a copy of its decision and the reasons therefor to the committee. Such appeal shall be heard by the committee within twenty days after receipt of the applicant's statement. A stenographic record of the proceedings shall be kept and the committee shall render a written decision, based upon a majority vote, stating its findings of fact, its conclusions and the reasons therefor within thirty days after the termination of the hearing, unless such time shall have been extended by mutual agreement between the committee and the applicant. Such decision may be reviewed in the superior court in accordance with the provisions of chapter thirty A.
MA Gen L ch 40b § 23 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 40b - Regional Planning|Section 23 - Hearing by Housing Appeals Committee; Issues; Powers of Disposition; Orders; Enforcement

Section 23. The hearing by the housing appeals committee in the department of housing and community development shall be limited to the issue of whether, in the case of the denial of an application, the decision of the board of appeals was reasonable and consistent with local needs and, in the case of an approval of an application with conditions and requirements imposed, whether such conditions and requirements make the construction or operation of such housing uneconomic and whether they are consistent with local needs. If the committee finds, in the case of a denial, that the decision of the board of appeals was unreasonable and not consistent with local needs, it shall vacate such decision and shall direct the board to issue a comprehensive permit or approval to the applicant. If the committee finds, in the case of an approval with conditions and requirements imposed, that the decision of the board makes the building or operation of such housing uneconomic and is not consistent with local needs, it shall order such board to modify or remove any such condition or requirement so as to make the proposal no longer uneconomic and to issue any necessary permit or approval; provided, however, that the committee shall not issue any order that would permit the building or operation of such housing in accordance with standards less safe than the applicable building and site plan requirements of the federal Housing Administration or the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, whichever agency is financially assisting such housing. Decisions or conditions and requirements imposed by a board of appeals that are consistent with local needs shall not be vacated, modified or removed by the committee notwithstanding that such decisions or conditions and requirements have the effect of making the applicant's proposal uneconomic.  The housing appeals committee or the petitioner shall have the power to enforce the orders of the committee at law or in equity in the superior court. The board of appeals shall carry out the order of the hearing appeals committee within thirty days of its entry and, upon failure to do so, the order of said committee shall, for all purposes, be deemed to be the action of said board, unless the petitioner consents to a different decision or order by such board.