reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23k - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission E Fee or Tax; Penalties. › Section 63 - Gaming Local Aid Fund

Section 63. There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a fund to be known as the Gaming Local Aid Fund. The fund shall consist of monies transferred under section 59 and all monies credited or transferred to the fund from any other fund or source and shall be subject to appropriation. Funds shall be distributed to cities and towns in accordance with the formula used to determine the distribution of unrestricted general government aid under section 3 of the general appropriation act. Monies from the fund shall be used in addition to the balance of the State Lottery Fund for distribution to cities and towns under clause (c) of the second paragraph of section 35 of chapter 10 and any monies so distributed shall be considered part of general revenue sharing aid for purposes of annual aid and contribution requirements established pursuant to chapter 70 or section 3 of the annual general appropriation act.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23k - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission E Fee or Tax; Penalties. › Section 64 - Education Fund

Section 64. There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a fund to be known as the Education Fund. The fund shall be credited any monies transferred under section 59 and all monies credited to or transferred to the fund from any other fund or source. Expenditures from the fund shall be subject to appropriation; provided, however, that 35 per cent of the funds received shall be appropriated for the purposes of higher education to supplement, not offset, any reduction in the general appropriation act from the previous fiscal year; and provided further, that any expenditures from the fund for K–12 education shall be used to supplement, and not offset, any reduction in line-item 7061–0008 of the general appropriation act from the previous fiscal year's general appropriation act.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23k - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission E Fee or Tax; Penalties. › Section 65 - Audit of Gaming Licensees

Section 65. The commission shall audit as often as the commission determines necessary, but not less than annually, the accounts, programs, activities, and functions of all gaming licensees. To conduct the audit, authorized officers and employees of the commission shall have access to such accounts at reasonable times and the commission may require the production of books, documents, vouchers and other records relating to any matter within the scope of the audit, except tax returns. The superior court shall have jurisdiction to enforce the production of records that the commission requires to be produced under this section and the court shall order the production of all such records within the scope of any such audit. All audits shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In any audit report of the accounts, funds, programs, activities and functions of a gaming licensee issued by the commission containing adverse or critical audit results, the commission may require a response, in writing, to the audit results. The response shall be forwarded to the commission within 15 days of notification by the commission.
On or before April 1 of each year, the commission shall submit a report to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate who shall forward the report to the house and senate committees on ways and means which shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the number of audits performed under this section; (ii) a summary of findings under the audits; and (iii) the cost of each audit.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23k - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission E Fee or Tax; Penalties. › Section 66 - Utilization of Qualified Independent Testing Laboratory for Testing of Slot Machines and Other Gaming Equipment

Section 66. Unless the commission otherwise determines it to be in the best fiscal interests of the commonwealth, the commission shall utilize the services of an independent testing laboratory that has been qualified and approved by the commission pursuant to this chapter to perform the testing of slot machines and other gaming equipment and may also utilize applicable data from the independent testing laboratory, or from a governmental agency of a state other than the commonwealth, authorized to regulate slot machines and other gaming equipment.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23k - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission E Fee or Tax; Penalties. › Section 67 - Evaluation and Recommendation as to Best Interests of Commonwealth to Enter Into Negotiation With Indian Tribes of the Commonwealth for the Purpose of Establishing Class Iii Gaming on Tribal Land

Section 67. The commission shall continue to evaluate the status of Indian tribes in the commonwealth including, without limitation, gaining federal recognition or taking land into trust for tribal economic development. The commission shall evaluate and make a recommendation to the governor and the chairs of the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies as to whether it would be in the best interest of the commonwealth to enter into any negotiations with those tribes for the purpose of establishing Class III gaming on tribal land.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23k - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission E Fee or Tax; Penalties. › Section 69 - Reporting on Gaming Revenues, Prize Disbursements, Expenses and Matters Requiring Immediate Changes in the Laws

Section 69. The commission shall report monthly to the governor, the attorney general, the senate and house committees on ways and means, the chairs of the joint committee on revenue and the chairs of the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies on the total gaming revenues, prize disbursements and other expenses for the preceding month and shall make an annual report to the same recipients which shall include a full and complete statement of gaming revenues, prize disbursements and other expenses, including such recommendations as the commission considers necessary or advisable. The commission shall report immediately to the governor, the attorney general, the senate and house committees on ways and means, the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on revenue and the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies on any matter which requires immediate changes in the laws in order to prevent abuses or evasions of the laws, rules or regulations related to gaming or to rectify undesirable conditions in connection with the administration or operation of gaming in the commonwealth.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23k - The Massachusetts Gaming Commission E Fee or Tax; Penalties. › Section 70 - Annual Reporting of Activities Including Review of Implementation and Enforcement of Chapter and Establishment of Governance Structure

Section 70. The commission shall annually submit a complete and detailed report of the commission's activities, including a review of the implementation and enforcement of this chapter and the governance structure established in this chapter, within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year to the governor, the attorney general, the treasurer and receiver general, the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives, the chairs of the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies and the chairs of the house and senate committees on ways and means.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23l - Local Infrastructure Development Program › Section 2 - Establishment of Development Zones; Petition

Section 2. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law or charter provision to the contrary, a municipality, acting through its municipal governing body, may establish development zones under this chapter. In the event that 2 or more municipalities elect to jointly establish or consolidate contiguous development zones, the municipal governing body of each municipality wherein the development zone shall be located shall approve by a majority vote the petition for the establishment of such a development zone.
(b) The establishment of a development zone shall be initiated by the filing of a petition signed by all persons owning real estate within the proposed development zone in the office of the clerk of the municipality and the office of the agency. The petition shall contain at least:
(1) a legal description of the boundaries of the proposed development zone;
(2) the written consent to the establishment of the development zone and to the adoption of the improvement plan or an amended improvement plan, by the persons with the record ownership of 100 per cent of the acreage to be included in the development zone; provided, however, that any real estate owned by the commonwealth or an agency or political subdivision thereof, included in the boundaries of the development zone, shall not be included in the count of persons owning tax parcels or acreage in the proposed development zone for the purposes of this clause;
(3) the name of the proposed development zone;
(4) a map of the proposed development zone, showing its boundaries and any current public improvements which may be added to or modified by any improvements;
(5) the estimated timetable for construction of the improvements;
(6) estimates of any other private or public funding sources;
(7) the improvement plan for the proposed development zone; and
(8) the procedure by which the municipality shall be reimbursed for any costs incurred by it in establishing the development zone and for any administrative costs to be incurred in the administration and collection of infrastructure assessments imposed within the proposed development zone.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23l - Local Infrastructure Development Program › Section 6 - Tax Exemption for Bonds or Notes Issued by Agency

Section 6. Bonds or notes issued by the agency and their transfer and their interest or income, including any profit on the sale thereof, and the improvements belonging to the public facilities' owner shall at all times be exempt from taxation within the commonwealth; provided, however, that nothing in this chapter shall limit or restrict the ability of the commonwealth or the municipality to otherwise tax the individuals and companies or their real or personal property or any person living or business operating within the boundaries of the development zone.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23l - Local Infrastructure Development Program › Section 7 - Applicability of Chapter 40q Requirements to Bonds Issued by Agency

Section 7. For purposes of this chapter, the agency may issue bonds secured by infrastructure assessments under and according to the terms of chapter 40Q. With the approval of the municipal governing body, the agency may issue its bonds in place of those of the municipality under chapter 40Q provided that the municipality has fulfilled all requirements set forth in said chapter 40Q that would be required of the municipality if it were itself issuing bonds under said chapter 40Q. In addition, the municipality shall include in its invested revenue district development program as defined in said chapter 40Q, a description of the rights and responsibilities of the assessing party, the agency and the municipality with respect to the program. In such case, the municipality may designate the agency as the issuer of bonds under said chapter 40Q for the purpose of financing any of the project costs as defined in said chapter 40Q and that are located in, or functionally serving the needs of, the development zone. The municipality shall determine the percentage of the captured assessed valuation, as defined in said chapter 40Q, of property within the boundaries of the development zone that the municipality is pledging under an invested revenue district development program as defined in said chapter 40Q for the payment of the agency's bonds. With the written agreement of the persons owning specific tax parcels in the development zone, the assessing party may adopt a plan whereby any of the assessing powers described in this chapter are made applicable exclusively to those parcels in order to secure and fund the debt service for the bonds. The project costs as defined in said chapter 40Q shall not be reduced by the amount of the revenues derived under this chapter and the revenues derived from such a plan may be made contingent upon or abated, in whole or in part, by the assessing party upon the receipt of the anticipated revenues generated through the pledged captured assessed valuation. At its option, the municipality may waive any adjustment for the inflation factor as defined in said chapter 40Q in order to increase the captured assessed valuation available to finance improvements benefiting the development zone. The assessing party, the agency and the municipality shall enter into an agreement delineating the rights and responsibilities of each under such district improvement financing.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23l - Local Infrastructure Development Program › Section 8 - Agreements for Benefit of Bond Holders

Section 8. The agency may make representations and agreements for the benefit of the holders of the agency's bonds and notes or other obligations to provide secondary market disclosure information. The agreement may include: (i) covenants to provide secondary market disclosure information; (ii) arrangements for such information to be provided with the assistance of a paying agent, trustee, dissemination or other agent; and (iii) remedies for breach of the agreements, which remedies may be limited to specific performance.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23l - Local Infrastructure Development Program › Section 9 - Collection of Infrastructure Assessments by Collector-Treasurer of Municipality; Disbursement of Revenues

Section 9. The collector-treasurer of each municipality, at the option of the municipality and the agency, may collect any infrastructure assessments, including any recording fees, on behalf of the agency under an agreement between the municipality and the agency and to disburse the funds to any designated management entity or financial institution selected by the agency. The collector-treasurer shall disburse revenues to the management entity or financial institution within 30 days after the collection of such fees, together with the interest earned on the holding of such fees.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23l - Local Infrastructure Development Program › Section 10 - Applicability

Section 10. (a) If any provision of this chapter is inconsistent with any general or special law, administrative order or regulation or any resolution or ordinance of the municipality, this chapter shall control. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no provision of any resolution or ordinance of the municipality requiring ratification by the voters of certain bond issues shall apply to the issuance of bonds or notes of the agency under this chapter, nor shall any such provision be applicable to the manner of voting or the limitations as to the amount and time of payment of debts incurred by the agency.
(b) Except as specifically provided in this chapter, all other statutes, ordinances, resolutions, rules and regulations of the commonwealth and the municipality shall be fully applicable to the property, property owners, residents and businesses located in the development zone. This chapter shall not obligate the municipality or the agency to pay any costs for the acquisition, construction, equipping or operation and administration of the improvements located within the development zone.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23m - Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy › Section 2 - Option of Municipalities to Participate in Commercial Sustainable Energy Program

Section 2. Each municipality in the commonwealth shall have the option to participate in the commercial sustainable energy program as a participating municipality by a majority vote of the city or town council, by a majority vote of the board of selectmen or by resolution of its legislative body, as may be appropriate, pursuant to which the municipality shall assess, collect, remit and assign betterment assessments, in return for commercial energy improvements for a benefitted property owner located within such municipality and for costs reasonably incurred in performing such acts.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 2 - Sports Wagering and Ancillary Activities Authorized

Section 2. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the operation of sports wagering and ancillary activities shall be lawful when conducted in accordance with this chapter and the rules and regulations of the commission.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 7 - Application Fee for Operator License

Section 7. (a) An applicant for an operator license shall pay to the commission a nonrefundable processing fee of $200,000 for the costs associated with the processing of the application and investigation of the applicant; provided, however, that if the costs of the investigation exceed the initial application fee, the applicant shall pay the additional amount to the commission not more than 30 days after notification of insufficient fees or the application shall be rejected.
(b) All fees in this section shall be deposited into the Sports Wagering Control Fund established in section 14.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 8 - Occupational Licenses

Section 8. (a) All persons employed by an operator to perform duties directly related to the operation of sports wagering in the commonwealth in a supervisory role shall maintain a valid occupational license issued by the commission. The commission shall issue such occupational license to a person who meets the requirements of this section.
(b) An occupational license authorizes the licensee to be employed in the capacity designated by the commission while the license is active. The commission may establish, by rule or regulation, job classifications with different requirements based on the extent to which a particular job impacts, or has the potential to impact, the lawful operation of sports wagering.
(c) An applicant for an occupational license shall submit any required application forms established by the commission and shall pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100. An employer may pay an application fee on behalf of an applicant.
[ Subsection (d) effective until March 29, 2023. For text effective March 29, 2023, see below.]
(d) Not later than March 1 of the third calendar year following the issuance or renewal of an occupational license, an occupational license holder shall pay a nonrefundable license renewal fee of $100 and submit a renewal application on a form established by the commission. An employer may pay the license renewal fee on behalf of the licensed employee.
[ Subsection (d) as amended by 2023, 2, Sec. 11 effective March 29, 2023. For text effective until March 29, 2023, see above.]
(d) Upon receipt of an application for an occupational license the commission shall investigate each applicant which shall include obtaining criminal offender record information from the department of criminal justice information services and exchanging fingerprint data and criminal history with the department of state police and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation as provided in subsection (c) of section 5.
[ Subsection (e) added by 2023, 2, Sec. 11 effective March 29, 2023.]
(e) Not later than March 1 of the third calendar year following the issuance or renewal of an occupational license, an occupational license holder shall pay a nonrefundable license renewal fee of $100 and submit a renewal application on a form established by the commission. An employer may pay the license renewal fee on behalf of the licensed employee.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 9 - Denial, Suspension or Revocation of License

Section 9. (a) The commission may deny a license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee or suspend or revoke a license if the applicant or licensee: (i) has knowingly made a false statement of a material fact to the commission; (ii) has had a license revoked by any governmental authority responsible for regulation of gaming activities; (iii) has been convicted of a felony or other crime involving embezzlement, theft, fraud, perjury, or a gambling-related offense; (iv) has not demonstrated to the satisfaction of the commission financial responsibility sufficient to adequately meet the requirements of the proposed enterprise; (v) has affiliates or close associates that would not qualify for a license or whose relationship with the applicant may pose an injurious threat to the interests of the commonwealth in awarding an operator license to the applicant; or (vi) in the case of an operator or an applicant for an operator license, is not the true owner of the business or is not the sole owner and has not disclosed the existence or identity of other persons who have an ownership interest in the business.
(b) The commission may deny, suspend or revoke an operator license or reprimand any licensee if the applicant or licensee has not met the requirements of this chapter.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 10 - House Rules for Game Play

Section 10. (a) An operator shall adopt comprehensive house rules for game play governing sports wagering transactions with the operator's patrons. The house rules shall specify the amounts to be paid on winning wagers and the effect of sports event schedule changes. An operator shall not conduct sports wagering until the commission has approved the house rules and an operator shall not conduct sports wagering in a manner inconsistent with approved house rules.
(b) The house rules, together with any other information the commission deems appropriate, shall be accessible to any patrons of the sports wagering operator. The operator shall make copies readily available to patrons and shall post the house rules as required by the commission, including on a prominent place on the operator's public website and mobile application or other digital platform.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 15 - Sport Wagering Control Fund

Section 15. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Sports Wagering Control Fund. The commission shall be the trustee of the fund and shall expend money to finance the operational activities of the commission pertaining to sports wagering. The fund shall be credited with: (i) any appropriation, bond proceeds or other monies authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited thereto; (ii) the proceeds of any fees collected pursuant to this section unless otherwise specified; (iii) fees collected pursuant to sections 7 and 8; (iv) breaks; and (v) such additional funds as are subject to the direction and control of the commission. All available money in the fund that is unexpended at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund and shall be available for expenditure in the subsequent fiscal year and shall not be subject to appropriation.
(b) The commission shall establish fees for any investigation into a violation of this chapter or regulation promulgated hereunder by a sports wagering operator to be paid by the sports wagering operator including, but not limited to, billable hours by commission staff involved in the investigation and the costs of services, equipment or other expenses that are incurred by the commission during the investigation.
(c) Any remaining costs of the commission necessary to maintain regulatory control over sports wagering operators that are not covered by: (i) the fees set forth in subsection (b); (ii) any other fees assessed pursuant to this chapter; or (iii) any other designated sources of funding, shall be annually assessed on sports wagering operators pursuant to this chapter in proportion to each operator's share of the commonwealth's total adjusted gross sports wagering receipts. Each operator shall pay the amount assessed against the operator not more than 30 days after the date of the notice of assessment from the commission.
(d) If the fees collected pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) exceed the cost required to maintain regulatory control, the surplus funds shall be credited in proportional shares against each sports wagering operator's next assessment.
(e) The commission shall annually assess and collect a $1,000,000 fee in shares to be determined by the commission against each sports wagering operator that is not a category 1 or category 2 gaming licensee, as defined in section 2 of chapter 23K. The fee collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited into the Public Health Trust Fund established in section 58 of said chapter 23K and shall be used for the costs of services and public health programs provided for in said section 58 of said chapter 23K.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 17 - Sports Wagering Fund

Section 17. There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a Sports Wagering Fund which shall receive revenues collected pursuant to sections 6 and 14. The fund shall not be subject to appropriation. The commission shall be the trustee of the fund and shall transfer monies from the fund as follows:
(1) 45 per cent to the General Fund;
(2) 17.5 per cent to the Workforce Investment Trust Fund established in section 18;
(3) 27.5 per cent to the Gaming Local Aid Fund established in section 63 of section 23K;
(4) 1 per cent to the Youth Development and Achievement Fund established in section 19; and
(5) 9 per cent to the Public Health Trust Fund established in section 58 of section 23K.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 19 - Youth Development and Achievement Fund

[ Text of section added by 2023, 2, Sec. 13 effective March 29, 2023.]
Section 19. There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a fund to be known as the Youth Development and Achievement Fund. The fund shall be credited any monies transferred from the Sports Wagering Fund pursuant to section 17 and all monies credited to or transferred to the fund from any other fund or source. Expenditures from the fund shall be subject to appropriation and shall be expended equally for the following purposes:
(1) For the purposes of providing financial assistance to students from the commonwealth enrolled in and pursuing a program of higher education in any approved public or independent college, university, school of nursing or any other approved institution furnishing a program of higher education;
(2) For the purposes of funding after-school and out-of-school activities, including, but not limited to, youth athletics and other activities that improve student health, literacy programs, English language learning programs, academic tutoring, art, theater and music programs and community service programs; and
(3) For the purposes of providing matching grants to elementary and secondary youth sports, organizations, clubs and other school groups to attend events, including, but not limited to, academic events and programs, cultural events and award ceremonies both nationally and internationally.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 20 - Sport Wagering Kiosks Feasibility Study

Section 20. The commission shall conduct a study into the feasibility of allowing retail locations in the commonwealth to operate sports wagering kiosks. The study by the commission shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of: (i) the economic impact of this chapter on retail establishments that serve alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption, such as restaurants and bars; (ii) which retail locations have the ability to operate a sports wagering kiosk; (iii) the economic impact to the commonwealth of authorizing retail locations to operate a sports wagering kiosk; (iv) the methods and availability of payouts of winnings by a sports wagering kiosks at retail locations; (v) the public health and safety impacts to the commonwealth of authorizing retail locations to operate a sports wagering kiosk; (vi) the potential effect of sports wagering kiosks at retail locations on problem gaming or gambling; (vii) the impact of sports wagering kiosks at retail locations on minors; (viii) the economic impact of authorizing this method of sports wagering on businesses owned by people of color; (ix) the public health and economic impact of this method of sports wagering as an alternative to the current black market, particularly in communities far from authorized in-person sports wagering; and (x) recommendations to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are included in this method of sports wagering. As part of the study, the commission shall consult retailers, convenience stores, restaurants, women and minority owned businesses and small business owners. The commission shall report on its findings and submit any recommendations to the clerks of the house and senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on consumer protection and professional licensure and the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies no later than December 31, 2022.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 21 - Civil Penalties for Violation of Chapter; Other Operator Discipline

[Text of section added by 2022, 173, Sec. 5. See also, another Section 21 added by 2022, 173, Sec. 5, below.]
Section 21. (a) The commission may impose on any person who violates this chapter a civil penalty not to exceed $2,000 for each violation or $5,000 for violations arising from the same series of events. Such penalty shall be imposed on all persons and is not limited to persons licensed under this chapter.
(b) The commission may condition, suspend, reprimand, assess a fine or revoke an operator license upon a finding that a licensee: (i) has committed a criminal or civil offense under this chapter or under any other laws of the commonwealth; (ii) is not in compliance with sports wagering regulations; (iii) is under criminal investigation in another jurisdiction; (iv) has breached a condition of licensure; (v) has affiliates, close associates or employees that are not qualified or licensed under this chapter with whom the licensee continues to conduct business or employ; (vi) is no longer capable of maintaining operations as a sports wagering operator or data supplier; or (vii) whose business practice, upon a determination by the commission, is injurious to the policy objectives of this chapter.
Chapter 23N: Section 21. Unauthorized accepting, facilitating or operating a sports wagering operation; criminal penalty
[Text of section added by 2022, 173, Sec. 5. See also, another Section 21 added by 2022, 173, Sec. 5, above.]
Section 21. (a) Whoever, other than an operator under this chapter, engages in accepting, facilitating or operating a sports wagering operation shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 90 days or by a fine not to exceed $10,000, or both; and for a second offense, by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 6 months or by a fine of not more than $50,000, or both; and in the case of a third or subsequent violation by imprisonment in the state prison for not less than 1 but not more than 9 years or by a fine of not less than $25,000 and not more than $100,000, or both.
[There is no subsection (b).]
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 22 - Retaliation by Operator Against Employee Prohibited

Section 22. An operator shall not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass or in any other manner discriminate against an employee because of any lawful act done by the employee to provide information, cause information to be provided or otherwise assist in an investigation regarding any conduct that the employee reasonably believes constitutes a violation of this chapter.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 23 - Annual Research Agenda to Understand Social and Economic Effects of Sports Wagering

Section 23. (a) The commission shall develop an annual research agenda in order to understand the social and economic effects of sports wagering in the commonwealth and to obtain scientific information relative to the neuroscience, psychology, sociology, epidemiology and etiology of sports wagering. The secretary of health and human services, with the advice and consent of the commission, may expend funds from the Public Health Trust Fund established in section 58 of chapter 23K to implement the objectives of the sports wagering research agenda, provided, however, that the objectives of the sports wagering research agenda shall, to the extent practicable, be substantially similar to the objectives of the research agenda established under section 71 of said chapter 23K. The sports wagering research agenda shall also include, but not be limited to: (i) an assessment of whether problem sports wagering is comorbid with problem gambling; (ii) an assessment as to whether the individuals participating in sports wagering are different than those who participate in other forms of gaming or gambling; (iii) an assessment of the impact of sports wagering on youth under the age of 25; (iv) an assessment of the impacts of sports wagering on college athletics and professional sports; and (v) the costs of implementing this chapter.
(b) Annually, the commission shall make scientifically-based recommendations that reflect the results of the research under clause (a) to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery and the joint committee on public health. The commission shall consider any such recommendations, research and findings in all decisions related to enhancing responsible gambling and mitigating problem sports wagering. The recommendations shall be posted on the commission's website.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 23n - Authorization and Regulation of Sports Wagering › Section 24 - Determination of Whether Winner of Cash or Prize Owes Past-Due Child Support or Tax Liability to the Commonwealth; Duties of Operator

Section 24. (a) Prior to an operator's disbursement of cash or a prize that is subject to withholding under section 3402 of the Internal Revenue Code, the operator shall review information made available by the IV–D agency, as set forth in chapter 119A, and by the department of revenue to determine if the winner of the cash or prize owes any past-due: (i) child support to the commonwealth or to an individual to whom the IV–D agency is providing services; or (ii) tax liability to the commonwealth.
(b)(1) If the winner of the cash or prize owes past-due child support or has a past-due tax liability, the operator shall notify the IV–D agency or the commonwealth, as applicable, of the winner's name, address and social security number.
(2) Subsequent to statutory state and federal tax withholding, the operator shall first disburse to the IV–D agency the full amount of the cash or prize or such portion of the cash or prize that satisfies the winner's past-due child support obligation.
(3) If funds remain available after the disbursement to the IV–D agency or if no such obligation to the IV–D agency is owed, the operator shall disburse to the department of revenue the full amount of the cash or prize or such portion of the cash prize that satisfies the winner's past-due tax liability.
(4) The operator shall disburse to the winner only that portion of the prize, if any, remaining after the winner's past-due child support obligation and the winner's past-due tax liability have been satisfied.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 24a - Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation › Section 2 - Additional Duties

Section 2. In addition to its other duties, the office shall:
(a) maintain a telephone information service;
(b) conduct surveys of consumer needs;
(c) investigate consumer problems in cooperation with the attorney general;
(d) publish educational brochures;
(e) establish programs and services to assist consumers in understanding their rights and responsibilities in consumer transactions;
(f) recommend and implement consumer protection policies;
(g) monitor the marketplace to promote fair and honest competition; and
(h) establish a trust fund for the purpose of consumer education and to further the office's other purposes and, to such extent the director shall have the powers provided in section six of chapter six A. Nothing herein shall restrict any official or agency not within said office from performing consumer-related responsibilities assigned to him or it by law.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 24a - Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation › Section 4 - Certification of Assessments; Collection

Section 4. On or before the first day of October of the year in which an assessment is made pursuant to the provisions of section nine A, the director shall certify to the commissioner of revenue the amount of the assessment to be made and the name and address of each company against whom such assessment is made. Such assessments shall be collected by said commissioner in accordance with applicable provisions of chapter sixty-three; provided, however, that each such company shall pay the amount assessed against it within thirty days from the receipt of notice of assessment from said commissioner. The amount so collected shall be credited to the General Fund.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 24a - Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation › Section 5 - Division of Standards

Section 5. (a) There shall be a division of standards within the office of consumer affairs and business regulation. The director of the office, with the approval of the governor, shall appoint a deputy director of standards and, with like approval, may remove him. The deputy director of standards shall have charge of the division of standards and shall, in addition to the powers and duties conferred and imposed upon him by law, perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the director of the office of consumer affairs and business regulation.
(b) Except as otherwise provided, the director of the office may employ and remove such inspectors, investigators, clerks and other assistants as the work of the division of standards may require. He may employ, for periods not exceeding ninety days, such experts as may be necessary to assist said division in the performance of any duty imposed upon it by law and such employment shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter thirty-one.
(c) The deputy director of standards and all inspectors and other permanent employees of the division of standards, shall devote their full time to the affairs of said division. Said deputy director, all such inspectors and such other employees of said division as may be designated by the director of the office shall, before entering upon their duties, be sworn to the faithful performance thereof. All such inspectors shall aid the deputy director of standards in the performance of his duties, shall have all necessary powers therefor and shall give bond for the faithful performance of their duties. Whoever hinders, obstructs or in any way interferes with the deputy director of standards or any such inspector in the performance of any official duty imposed by law shall, except as otherwise provided, be punished by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than two months.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 25 - Department of Public Utilities › Section 1a - Department Priorities

Section 1A. In discharging its responsibilities under this chapter and chapter 164, the department shall, with respect to itself and the entities it regulates, prioritize safety, security, reliability of service, affordability, equity and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to meet statewide greenhouse gas emission limits and sublimits established pursuant to chapter 21N.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 25 - Department of Public Utilities › Section 2 - Commonwealth Utilities Commission; Membership; Appointment and Terms; Chairman; Quorum; Salaries; Annual Report

Section 2. The department shall be under the supervision and control of the commonwealth utilities commission, in this chapter called the commission, which shall consist of 3 members, 2 of whom shall be appointed and may be removed by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs for a term coterminous with that of the governor. The third member shall be appointed and may be removed by the secretary for a term of 4 years. The secretary shall designate one commissioner as chairman, who shall serve as chairman for 2 years, and may be reappointed, unless removed as chairman by the secretary, with the approval of the governor. Commission members shall have background or expertise in electricity or natural gas matters. Any appointment or removal by the secretary under this section shall require the approval of the governor. The commissioners shall devote their full time to the duties of their office. Not more than 2 members of the commission shall be members of the same political party. Any decision made or order issued by the commission may be made by majority vote of a quorum of 2 members.
The initial base salary of the chairman of the commission shall be $90,000, and the initial base salary of the other members shall be $82,500. Said salaries shall be subject to step increases consistent with the provisions of sections 45 and 46C of chapter 30. The members shall receive necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties.
The commission shall make an annual report of its activities in January of each year to the general court.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth › Chapter 25 - Department of Public Utilities › Section 2a - Energy Advisory Board; Membership; Duties

Section 2A. There is hereby established within the executive office of energy and environmental affairs an energy advisory board, appointed by the governor, consisting of thirteen members: three representatives of investor-owned electric utilities; one representative of an investor-owned gas utility; two representatives of the environmental community; two representatives of the business community; one consumer representative; one representative of organized labor appointed from a list of three qualified names submitted by the Massachusetts State Labor Council, AFL–CIO; one representative of energy conservation providers; one representative of the independent power industry and the secretary of consumer affairs and business regulation. Said advisory board shall meet at least four times each fiscal year and shall make recommendations to the governor respecting mandated assessments and fees; relating to the provision of energy and energy services in the commonwealth; the relationship between existing fees and assessments on public utilities and patterns of timely regulatory action; the elimination of duplication of regulatory activity and relative to long-term planning and the future of the commonwealth's energy policy. Said advisory board shall report to the governor annually, which report shall also be submitted to the house and senate committees on ways and means no later than October first of each year. The members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation.