Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H1878: An Act relative to streamline the judicial review of local land use decisions
Status: Failed, March 26, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
SECTION 1. The second paragraph of Section 17 of chapter 40A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following paragraphs:- If the complaint is filed by someone other than the original applicant, appellant or petitioner, such original applicant, appellant, or petitioner and all members of the board of appeals or special permit granting authority shall be named as parties defendant with their addresses. To avoid delay in the proceedings, instead of the usual service of process, the plaintiff shall within fourteen days after the filing of the complaint, send written notice thereof, with a copy of the complaint, by delivery or certified mail to all defendants, including the members of the board of appeals or special permit granting authority and shall within twenty-one days after the entry of the complaint file with the clerk of the court an affidavit that such notice has been given. If no such affidavit is filed within such time the complaint shall be dismissed. No answer shall be required but an answer may be filed and notice of such filing with a copy of the answer and an affidavit of such notice given to all parties as provided above within seven days after the filing of the answer. Other persons may be permitted to …
Sponsors
- McGonagle, Jr., Joseph W. (D, 28th Middlesex) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
- : Hearing scheduled for 10/21/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
- : Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order
Common questions
- What is H1878?
- H1878 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act relative to streamline the judicial review of local land use decisions.
- What is the status of H1878?
- Failed as of March 26, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27) (March 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored H1878?
- McGonagle, Jr., Joseph W. (D, 28th Middlesex).
- Where is the official record for H1878?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1878
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.