SENATE, No. 1203

SECTION 1. There is hereby established a commission to study revenue sharing by the Commonwealth to assist municipalities in the financing of services including but not limited to police and fire protection, education, the construction, repair and maintenance of non-school municipal buildings and the construction, repair and maintenance of municipal roads and bridges.  Said commission shall identify the current mechanisms used to facilitate revenue sharing and their efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and fairness.  In addition, the commission shall investigate alternative mechanisms to provide cities and towns with adequate resources to provide municipal services.

     Said commission shall consist of the Secretary of Administration and Finance or his designee, the Commissioner of the Department Revenue or his designee, three members of the Senate, one of which shall be a member of the minority party, three members of the House of Representatives, one of which shall be a member of the minority party, a representative of the Massachusetts Taxpayer's Foundation, a representative of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, three members appointed by the Governor whom shall represent citizens of the Commonwealth, and three members appointed by the Governor whom shall be elected municipal officials representing geographically and demographically diverse areas of the state.

Said commission shall report its findings, together with any legislative recommendations, to the Ways and Means Committees of the House and Senate no later than August 1, 2005.