H 4445
An Act establishing a charter for the city of Somerville
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- Passed Senate
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Bill overview
This bill establishes a charter for the city of Somerville, Massachusetts. The charter will outline the city’s government structure, powers, and procedures. It replaces a previous version of the bill, House Bill 4264, which had received local approval. The charter is intended to provide Somerville with greater local control and governance flexibility.
Key provisions
- Establishes a new charter for the city of Somerville.
- Defines the structure and powers of the city’s government.
- Outlines procedures for local governance.
- Replaces a previous version of the charter legislation (House Bill 4264).
- Incorporates provisions from Senate Bill 2604.
- Authorizes Somerville to enact local ordinances and policies.
- Provides a framework for the city’s future development and governance.
- Details the process for amending the charter.
Who is affected
- City of Somerville, Massachusetts
- Residents of Somerville
- Local government officials in Somerville
- Municipal government
- Massachusetts State Government
Notable changes
- Replaces House Bill 4264 with provisions from Senate Bill 2604.
- Creates a new, comprehensive charter for the city.
- Allows Somerville to enact right to purchase legislation (implied).
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Thomas P. Walsh
Cosponsors
Christine P. Barber
Thomas P. Walsh
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Bill H.4445 194th (Current)
An Act establishing a charter for the city of Somerville
Substituted by the House, on motion of Mr. Walsh of Peabody, for a bill with the same title (House, No. 4264) [Local Approval Received]. August 21, 2025.
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Thomas P. Walsh
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Bill History Amendments Cosponsors
Bill History
Displaying 12 actions for Bill H.4445
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 8/21/2025 | House | Substituted for H4264 |
| 8/21/2025 | House | Passed to be engrossed |
| 8/25/2025 | Senate | Read, rules suspended, read second and ordered to a third reading |
| 9/11/2025 | Senate | Taken out of the Orders of the Day |
| 9/11/2025 | Senate | Read third |
| 9/11/2025 | Senate | Amended (Jehlen) by striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of S2604 |
| 9/11/2025 | Senate | Passed to be engrossed |
| 9/11/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading |
| 9/11/2025 | House | House concurred in the Senate amendment |
| 9/11/2025 | House | Enacted |
| 9/11/2025 | Senate | Enacted and laid before the Governor |
| 9/19/2025 | Executive | Signed by the Governor, Chapter 31 of the Acts of 2025 |
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