This page lists important Ballot Questions and Massachusetts State Legislation that Individual Artists of all disciplines should know about as well as key information on the State's Budget process. Join this site's list serve to be notified when action is needed. First step, however, is for you to introduce yourself to your elected State Legislators (and Federal elected officials) and you can find out who they are on our the Policy Makers section.
Also see our News Section to keep up with other important issues. To learn more about how legislation becomes law see Lawmaking in Massachusetts. To register to vote and/or find out who represents you in government - ie How to find your state representative and your state senator (Note they are listed under District Representatives):http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx
(This page was updated on 5/10/13)
Massachusetts State Budget Process
The State's next fiscal Budget (2013 - 2014) is now underway. The Governor released his budget on Jan 23rd and you can view it here. The House Budget was passed. The Senate will released their version of the budget on May 15th. There is a key page on the state's official website that allows one to learn about and track the Budget Process and the Budget Documents.
Important Call to Action on the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Budget- Call your State Senator By Friday May 17th:
http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/news/advocacy.asp
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Massachusetts Film Tax Credits Program: One of the key programs we are following is the Massachusetts Film Tax Credit Program. So far it is safe.
2013-2014 Massachusetts
Legislation
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Note this is a very short list as of now but it will grow. (You can also easily track pieces of legislation)
ARTISTS HOUSING (This bill has been refiled again!)
An Act Relative to Eligibility for Cooperative Housing Corporations Senate Bill 596 and House Bill 1143
(The Governor VETOED the Bill in 2008 and it was put into a study in 2010)
Originally filed in 2008 as HB 1224 (Filed by the Representative Finegold and Senator Montigny and Senator Tucker), would have made artist co-ops and other types of co-ops that use any criteria other than financial criteria to decide membership/ownership basically illegal in the state. The Governor amended the HB 1224 bill to ONLY allow elder/senior housing co-ops to stay legal in the state (HB 4445). The final 2008 version of the bill was not posted, but the Governor VETOED it! Our understanding is that the 2009 version was the same as the final 2008 version (again there is not link to that 2008 final version) and would have the same impact as the 2008 version. The 2013 bills, filed by Senator Finegold and Rep O'Flaherty, have the same exact language and once again are highly problematic on many levels.
This bills as written is a "bad" bill for artists and other communities. It is our understanding that many other legislators are very concerned with this bill and are trying to address the concerns of the artist community.
For background information on this bill
--The Bill was filled by Senator Finegold and was filed by him when he was Representative Finegold in 2008 and 2009 and 2010 (he is now a state senator).
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Important Call to Action for Boston Artists and Boston Residents to Protect Boston Coops:
The man and his lobbyist behind Senate Bill 596 and House Bill 1143 have filed a "Home Rule Petition: Docket #0684- Petition for a Special Law: Re: Eligibility for Cooperative Housing Corporations for the City of Boston". It is basically the same language found in the two state house bills, but its scope is restricted to the City of Boston.
It is a bad bill for artists and other communities.
We need residents of Boston to contact the Boston City Council to tell them to oppose Docket #0684.
ARTISTS RIGHTS/LABOR ISSUES & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:
An Act Relative to the Creative Economy Bill House Bill 1738 and Senate Bill 875
The Independent Contractor 2004 law change has been an issue that has been negatively impacting those in the Creative Economy. These two identical bills fix this issue for our sector with an intellectual property carve out. We excpect more bills to be filled addressing the Independent Contractor Issue. The 2004 Independent Contractor law change is negatively impacting the artist community and the arts community because it made it next to impossible for people to be classified as independent contractors in this State. Once you are classified as an employee you do not own or control your intellectual property. It is the property of the employer. The Senate Bill was filed by Senator Michael Moore and the House Bill was filed by Representative John Keenan.
For more background info on the issue, how it impacts freelancers/artists of all disciplines, phone numbers/emails and tips on what to say or write
These are important pieces of legislation and we will list other IC Bills as we learn of them.
An Act Establishing a Disaster and Emergency Aid Fund for Massachusetts Artists-S1625
The bill was originally filed in 2008 and was been refiled in 2009, 2011 and 2013. It would allow for the State Treasurer's Office to establish a specific state fund for Disaster/Emergency Aid for Massachusetts Artists working in all disciplines. This fund will be used to help artists who have had a health care emergency (i.e. could not pay their medical bills or medical insurance) as well as to help those artists who suffered other types of emergencies (fires, floods, theft). The funds would be generated from funds raised from the private sector.
--Filed by Senator HartThis is a great bill for artists.
----The legislation has been sent to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development and it held a public legislative hearing for this bill on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013.
Public Art for the Commonwealth:
A Resolve Establishing a Commission to Study Art in Public Spaces House Bill 3000
This is a new bill filed by Rep Sarah Peake that is worthy of strong support as it addresses the need for public art in the Commonwealth. Rep Peake talked about filing this last November at the State House Artists Under the Dome event in 2012! This legislation would create a special commission to study art in public spaces to come up with ways to increase art in public spaces, to develop guidelines on how to compensate artists whose work is exhibited in public spaces, as well to identify costs and funding sources.
----The legislation has been sent to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development and it held a public legislative hearing for this bill on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013.
This is an important piece of legislation.
Poet Laureate for the Commonwealth:
An Act to Create the position of poet laureate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House Bill H2999*
The bill creates a poet laureate position. It would be a two year term. A poet laureate nominating committee would be established to solicit and collect nominees for this new position. This committee would vet all the nominations and then it compile a list to submit to the Governor to pick from.----The legislation has been sent to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development and it held a public legislative hearing for this bill on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013.
*This bill has very good intentions. However, it neglects to allocate any funds or adminstrative support to the poet laureate position. AUD.org testified that the poet laureate position needs both to be sucessful.
The bill would allow a person and their family to protect the use of a person's images or personality in advertising, etc.. Thirteen states have enacted statues that specify a transferable right to publicity that survives death. (this bill was filed the last two sessions).
--Refiled by Senator Rosenberg.----The legislation has been sent to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
The Joint Committee Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development held a hearing on May 7 at 11 a.m. at the Massachusetts State House. SB 1630- An Act Protecting the Commercial Value of Artists, Entertainers, and other Notable Personalities was heard at this hearing. If you couldn't testify, you can send in written testimony to Samantha Schenk <samantha.schenk@mahouse.gov> by noon on Friday, May 10th 2013.
This is a great and needed bill for artists!
For more information and tips on how to write your testimony
Arts Funding, Arts orgs & Non-profit issues:
An Act Relative to Cultural Facilities Grants Senate Bill 1624 & An Act Relative to the Definition of a Cultural Facility Senate Bill 1633
There are two pieces with almost identical language: S1624 -An Act relative to cultural facilities grants & S1633-An Act relative to the definition of a cultural facility. S1624 has the better definition to keep the intent of the Cultural Facilities Fund to be used for facilities that are dedicated to culture and are open to the public.
The legislation has been sent to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development and it held a public legislative hearing for this bill on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013.
An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Cultural Trust Fund Senate Bill 1631
This Legislation would establish a cultural trust fund to stabilize long term funding for the Massachusetts Cultural Council (the State Arts Council), the Cultural Facilities Fund, and other state arts and cultural programs.
--Filed by Senator RosenbergThe legislation has been sent to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development and it held a public legislative hearing for this bill on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013.
An Act Relative to the State House Art Commission and State House Architect House Bill 3002
This Legislation would establish a full time State House Curator and an hononary position for a State House architect.
The legislation has been sent to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development and it held a public legislative hearing for this bill on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013.
The legislation has been sent to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development and it held a public legislative hearing for this bill on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013.