Ms. Stanley of West Newbury moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

SECTION.  Chapter 40 of the General laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4A the following section:-

      Section 4A  ½ .  As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, have the following meanings:-

      “Municipal agency” any non-elected department or office of a city or town and any council, division, board, bureau, commission, institution, tribunal or other instrumentality thereof or thereunder.

      “Region” any geographically described area within which the powers and duties provided in a joint powers agreement will be exercised.

 “Joint powers agreement” a document specifying the terms and conditions of joint exercise of powers and duties entered into by participating public agencies pursuant to the laws governing any such agency and the provisions of this section.

      In order to facilitate intergovernmental action, any 2 or more public agencies for any region they may elect, shall notify the secretary of administration and finance of their intention to enter into an agreement for the joint exercise of certain or all of their powers and duties.  The proposed agreement notification shall specify-

The purpose and nature of the arrangement;

The work to be performed, and the division or sharing of responsibility among public agencies;

The estimated costs and methods of financing

The estimated duration of the proposed agreement

A joint powers agreement may be established pursuant to this section to coordinate the activities of such participating agencies.