reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 121a § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121a - Urban Redevelopment Corporations|Section 11 - Acquisition and Sale of Land or Interests in Land; Approval

Section 11. Any corporation authorized to undertake or acquire projects under this chapter may lease land or interests in land, including air rights, or may acquire such land or interests therein, including air rights, in fee, by gift, purchase or exchange or with approval of the housing board and unless otherwise provided in this chapter, may take land by eminent domain under chapter seventy-nine for projects approved under section six, except the city of Boston and Springfield; provided, however, that the award of damages under section seven of said chapter seventy-nine shall be made by the housing board. Subject to rules and regulations of the housing board, any such corporation may hold, improve, subdivide, build upon, lease, manage and care for the land or interests therein, including air rights, and any buildings thereon owned or leased by such corporation.  Any such corporation may, with the approval of the housing board, and unless otherwise provided in this chapter, institute proceedings for the taking of land for its project under chapter eighty A, and the directors of a corporation organized under this chapter, or the directors or officers of insurance companies, banks or other authorized entities having the powers of directors of such corporation as provided in this chapter, shall be deemed the board of officers authorized to proceed under chapter eighty A; and the provisions of said chapter eighty A shall, so far as apt, apply to proceedings so instituted; but such directors or officers shall have no power to assess betterments.  Any such corporation shall have the power, with the approval of the housing board, to sell, exchange, give or otherwise transfer in whole or in part the land or interests therein, including air rights, leased or acquired by it under this chapter, with the buildings or other structures thereon, constituting a project or portion hereunder to any corporation organized under section three or section eighteen B, insurance company or companies authorized under section eighteen, bank or banks authorized under section eighteen A, or any other authorized entity under this chapter, a housing authority, redevelopment authority, or the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities but such land or interests therein, including air rights, buildings or other structures may be sold only subject to the further requirement that any change in the benefits and restrictions applicable to the grantee, donee or transferee and any other changes in the project shall not be valid unless approved in the manner provided in section six, except the city of Boston and Springfield, or section eighteen B, as the case may be.
MA Gen L ch 121a § 12 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121a - Urban Redevelopment Corporations|Section 12 - Receipt of Loans and Grants From the Federal Government and Other Sources; Borrowing Money; Issuance of Notes and Indebtedness

Section 12. Any such corporation shall have power to receive loans and grants from the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof or from any other source, public or private, or to act as agent of or to co-operate with the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof on any project of the kind or character authorized by section three; provided that nothing in this section shall operate to impair the powers and duties of the housing board with respect to any such corporation or any project operated by it. Any such corporation shall also have power, subject to the provisions of section seven, to borrow money and to issue bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness and to secure the same by the mortgage of its property or the pledge of its revenues, and to do whatever is necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the provisions of this chapter.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any such corporation may borrow on mortgages insured or guaranteed by the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof to the extent permitted by the federal government or such agency or instrumentality, and may issue such stock, enter into such agreements or perform such acts as may be required by the federal government or its agency or instrumentality in connection with such insurance or guarantee.
MA Gen L ch 121a § 13 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121a - Urban Redevelopment Corporations|Section 13 - Application to Change Type and Character of Buildings on Project; Approval

Section 13. Any such corporation may apply to the housing board for leave to change the type and character of the buildings on a project. The housing board may approve such application, unless in its opinion the proposed change is a fundamental one, in which case the provisions of section five, so far as apt, shall apply to an application for such change. The housing board shall in such case transmit the application to the mayor of the city or the selectmen of the town in which the project is located, and the provisions of section six shall be applicable to their actions thereon. The housing board, if it receives a certificate evidencing the approval of the application by the mayor or the selectmen, and if it finds that the proposed change will be in the interest of the health, safety or general welfare of the city or town and that the proposed use is authorized by section three, may approve such application, and the corporation may act in accordance with such approval.
MA Gen L ch 121a § 14 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121a - Urban Redevelopment Corporations|Section 14 - Contracts With Cities or Towns Relative to Public and Private Ways, Sidewalks, Parks and Other Public Improvements; Contracts for Sale, Lease or Exchange of Real Estate

Section 14. Any such corporation, in accordance with the provisions of section six, may enter into a contract with the city or town in which its project has been authorized, or with the appropriate board or officer of such city or town, and any such city or town or such board or officer may enter into a contract with such a corporation, by which such city, town, board or officer obligates itself or himself to do any or all of the following things: (a) lay out and construct, alter, relocate, change the grade of, make specific repairs upon or discontinue, public ways and construct sidewalks, adjacent to or through a project, if such action is found to be required by the common necessity and convenience; (b) cause parks, playgrounds or schools, or water, sewer or drainage facilities, or any other public improvements which it is otherwise authorized to undertake, to be laid out, constructed or furnished adjacent to or in connection with a project; (c) cause private ways, sidewalks, footpaths, ways for vehicular travel, playgrounds, or water, sewer or drainage facilities and similar improvements, to be constructed or furnished within the site of a project for the particular use of a project or of those dwelling therein.  If any city or town or a corporation wholly owned or controlled by such city or town has acquired or is about to acquire real estate by purchase or eminent domain for purposes of urban redevelopment or similar purposes, such city or town, or such corporation, may enter into a contract with a corporation organized under section three for the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of real estate held by either of the parties to such contract, in order to more effectively carry out the provisions of this chapter.  A contract under this section between a city or town or a corporation wholly owned or controlled by a city or town, and a corporation organized under section three, shall not be subject to any provision of law relating to publication or to advertising for bids. The construction of a project under this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of sections twenty-six to twenty-seven D, inclusive, of chapter one hundred and forty-nine.
MA Gen L ch 121a § 15 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121a - Urban Redevelopment Corporations|Section 15 - Application of Receipts in Excess of Authorized Expenditures

Section 15. Should the gross receipts of any such corporation from the operation of a project undertaken by it under authority of this chapter, in any year exceed (1) operating and maintenance expenses together with such reserves as are necessary to create a fund to replace furnishings and worn-out equipment, including any ground rents or other payments under any lease, (2) taxes and fees, (3) interest on mortgages and other indebtedness, (4) premiums, fees or other charges or expenses incurred in connection with the insurance or guaranty of any mortgage or the insurance or guaranty of any annual return from a project, including any amounts payable to the Federal Housing Administration or any other agency or instrumentality of the United States for such purposes, (5) amortization, in accordance with the provisions of any schedule, plan or method of amortization described in any application submitted to the housing board under section five of this chapter, or in any schedule, plan or method of amortization subsequently submitted to and approved by the housing board, (6) dividends, (7) authorized transfers to surplus or reserves, and (8) other payments authorized or approved by the housing board, the amount remaining shall be applied to the payment to the city or town in which the project is located of the amount, if any, by which the taxes would have been assessed upon the real estate and tangible personal property of the corporation in such year if such real estate and tangible personal property had not been exempt from taxation, exceeded the excise paid by such corporation and distributed to such city or town in such year under section ten.  The balance, if any, may, subject to the approval of the housing board, be applied in whole or in part to reducing the indebtedness of such corporation, to renovating or to improving the property, as by installing additional facilities for the use of tenants, to the acquisition and development of additional property which shall be subject to the same control and regulation as the original project.  The charges for operation and maintenance may include insurance and reserves essential to the management of the property or necessary to meet requirements for depreciation and amortization of bonded indebtedness, but the amount set aside therefor shall be subject to the approval of the housing board. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to obligate the commonwealth, or to pledge its credit, to any payment whatsoever to any such corporation or to any stockholder, bondholder or creditor thereof.
MA Gen L ch 121a § 16 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121a - Urban Redevelopment Corporations|Section 16 - Rights, Privileges, Obligations and Duties of Corporation After Period of Organization

Section 16. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, if a corporation organized under section three has carried out its obligations and performed its duties as imposed by this chapter for fifteen years from the date of its organization and for such further time any period of extension granted pursuant to section ten shall be in effect to the satisfaction of the housing board, all as evidenced by a certificate transmitted by the board to the commissioner of revenue, it shall thereafter have all of the rights and privileges of a corporation organized under or subject to chapter one hundred and fifty-six and be subject to all of the obligations and duties of such a corporation, and such corporation and its stockholders shall thereafter be free from all of the special limitations, restrictions, obligations and duties imposed upon corporations organized under section three and the stockholders thereof.
MA Gen L ch 121a § 19 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121a - Urban Redevelopment Corporations|Section 19 - Partial Invalidity

Section 19. The provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable, and if any such provision, or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance shall be held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not be construed to affect the validity or constitutionality of any of the remaining provisions of said chapter or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid. It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that this chapter would have been adopted had such invalid or unconstitutional provision not been included therein.
MA Gen L ch 121b § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121b - Housing and Urban Renewal|Section 2 - Severability

Section 2. The provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable and if any such provision or the application of such provision to any person or circumstances shall be held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not be construed to affect the validity or constitutionality of any of the remaining provisions of said chapter or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid. It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that said chapter would have been adopted had such invalid or unconstitutional provisions not been included therein.
MA Gen L ch 121b § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121b - Housing and Urban Renewal|Section 3 - Housing Authorities; Creation; Dissolution

Section 3. There is hereby created, in each city and town in the commonwealth, a public body politic and corporate to be known as the ''Housing authority'' of such city or town; provided, that no such authority shall transact any business or exercise any powers until the need for a housing authority has been determined and until a certificate of organization has been issued to it by the state secretary, both as hereinafter provided.  Whenever the municipal officers of a city or an annual or special town meeting shall determine that a housing authority is needed therein for the purpose of the clearance of substandard, decadent or blighted open areas or the provision of housing for families or elderly persons of low income or engaging in a land assembly and redevelopment project, including the preservation, restoration or relocation of historical buildings, it may by vote provide for the organization of such an authority. In determining the need for a housing authority, the city council or the town shall take into consideration the need for relieving congestion of population, the existence of substandard, decadent or blighted open areas or unsanitary or unsafe inhabited dwellings, and the shortage of safe or sanitary dwellings available for families or elderly persons of low income at rentals which they can afford.  Whenever a housing authority determines that there is no further need for its existence, that it has no property to administer, and that all outstanding obligations of the authority have been satisfied, it may by a majority vote of the five members submit the question of its dissolution, in a town, to the voters at an annual town meeting or, in a city, to the municipal officers. If a city or town votes for such dissolution in accordance herewith and the department is satisfied of the existence of the facts required herein it shall so certify to the state secretary and said housing authority shall be dissolved forthwith subject to the applicable provisions of section fifty-one of chapter one hundred and fifty-five.
MA Gen L ch 121b § 3a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121b - Housing and Urban Renewal|Section 3a - Regional Housing Authorities; Creation; Dissolution

Section 3A. Any number of cities or towns may, with the approval of their respective municipal officers and of the department, create or disband by a contract subject to the approval of the department a regional housing authority, with all of the powers and obligations of the constituent authorities, to act in the place of the several housing authorities, if any, theretofore existing. Such contract shall set forth the rights, powers and obligations of the regional housing authority within the several cities or towns in which it is to operate. Any unresolved dispute which may arise as to the rights, powers or obligations conferred by such contract shall be referred to the department for resolution.
MA Gen L ch 121b § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121b - Housing and Urban Renewal|Section 4 - Redevelopment Authorities; Creation; Dissolution

Section 4. There is hereby created, in each city and town in the commonwealth, a public body politic and corporate to be known as the ''Redevelopment authority'' of such city or town; provided, that no such authority shall transact any business or exercise any powers until the need for such an authority has been determined and a certificate of organization has been issued to it by the state secretary, both as hereinafter provided.  Whenever the municipal officers of a city, or the voters at an annual or special town meeting determine that there is a need for a redevelopment authority in such city or town for the purpose of engaging in urban renewal projects or other work under this chapter and that it is in the public interest that such an authority be organized in such city or town, a redevelopment authority shall be organized in such city or town.  Whenever a redevelopment authority determines that there is no further need for its existence, and that all outstanding obligations of the authority have been satisfied, it may by a majority vote of the five members submit the question of its dissolution, in a town, to the voters at an annual town meeting or, in a city, to the municipal officers. If a city or town votes for such dissolution in accordance herewith and the department is satisfied of the existence of the facts required herein, it shall so certify to the state secretary and said redevelopment authority shall be dissolved forthwith subject to the applicable provisions of section fifty-one of chapter one hundred and fifty-five.
MA Gen L ch 121b § 5a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121b - Housing and Urban Renewal|Section 5a - Waiver of Requirement to Appoint Tenant Member to Housing Authority Board

Section 5A. A housing authority may request a waiver of the requirement to appoint a tenant member to a housing authority board if the department determines that a housing authority provided notice pursuant to section 5 and there is no person who is eligible and willing to serve as a tenant member on the board. The waiver shall be for a term of 1 year and may be renewed by the department. A housing authority shall submit a written statement to the department, explaining why a waiver is being requested and documenting the steps that it took to educate tenants about the right of a tenant to serve on a housing authority board; provided, however, that such steps shall include the housing authority meeting with all local tenants' organizations. Before issuing a waiver, the department shall, in addition to reviewing the written statement, make a determination that the housing authority provided notice pursuant to said section 5.  If the department grants a waiver, it shall notify the housing authority and the town that a person other than a person who is eligible to be a tenant member may be appointed to the tenant member seat on the board for a 1-year term. The housing authority shall notify any tenants' organizations of the waiver and post a notice of the waiver throughout common areas of the authority.
MA Gen L ch 121b § 5b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XVII - Public Welfare|Chapter 121b - Housing and Urban Renewal|Section 5b - Comprehensive Training Program for Members of a Housing or Redevelopment Authority; Technical Assistance Training for Tenant Members

Section 5B. The department shall establish and implement a comprehensive training program for members of a housing or redevelopment authority. The training program shall be developed by the department in consultation with representatives of local housing authorities, municipal officials, public housing residents, public housing industry professional organizations and relevant state agencies.  The department shall provide instructions and training to members on the proper management of a housing or redevelopment authority. The instructions and training shall include, but not be limited to, the following laws and topics: (i) the open meeting law established pursuant to sections 18 to 25, inclusive, of chapter 30A; (ii) the public records law established pursuant to chapter 66; (iii) the conflict of interest law established pursuant to chapter 268A; (iv) the uniform procurement act established pursuant to chapter 30B; (v) state finance provisions established pursuant to chapter 29; (vi) fraud prevention; (vii) fiduciary responsibilities; (viii) fair housing laws; (ix) tenant occupancy and tenant participation policies; (x) the laws prohibiting discrimination in publicly assisted housing established pursuant to clauses 6 to 7B, inclusive, of section 4 of chapter 151B; and (xi) best practices relating to the general inspection, maintenance and repair of existing units and capital improvements in public housing. The department may consult with the attorney general and the inspector general in developing instructions and training programs pursuant to this section.  The department shall further provide independent technical assistance training to tenant members. The department shall develop the training with the goal of enabling tenant members and members of local tenant organizations to participate fully in the oversight of the housing authority's operation and capital planning. The department shall permit tenants and local tenant organizations who are not members to attend technical assistance training.  Upon appointment and reappointment or election and reelection, all members shall complete a training program, as developed by the department, within 90 days of assuming the member's position. Members shall complete a training program every 2 years. Failure to complete a training program within 90 days of assuming a position as a member or failure to complete a training program every 2 years may constitute neglect of duty and that member may be subject to removal proceedings pursuant to section 6.