Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H5227: An Act further regulating the filling of vacancies on the city council relative to the office of ward councilor in the City of Marlborough
Status: Signed into law, August 4, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, March 9, 2026:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding section 59A of chapter 43 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, if a vacancy occurs, before the last 12 months of the term, in the office of a councilor elected by and from the voters of a ward in Marlborough, the Marlborough city council shall forthwith order an election to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.; If a vacancy occurs, in the last 12 months of the term, in the office of a councilor elected by and from the voters of a ward in Marlborough, such vacancy shall be filled forthwith by a majority vote of all the remaining members of the Marlborough city council for the remainder of the unexpired term. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Sponsors
- Danielle Gregoire (D, 4th Middlesex) · primary sponsor
- James Eldridge (D, Middlesex and Worcester)
Latest actions
- : Signed by the Governor, Chapter 159 of the Acts of 2026
- : Enacted and laid before the Governor
- : Enacted
- : Read third (title changed) and passed to be engrossed
- : Taken out of the Orders of the Day
- : Read second and ordered to a third reading
- : Read; and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session
- : Read third and passed to be engrossed
- : Read second and ordered to a third reading
- : Rules suspended
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Election Laws (April 2, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H5227?
- H5227 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act further regulating the filling of vacancies on the city council relative to the office of ward councilor in the City of Marlborough.
- What is the status of H5227?
- Signed into law as of August 4, 2026. Latest action: Signed by the Governor, Chapter 159 of the Acts of 2026 (August 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored H5227?
- Danielle Gregoire (D, 4th Middlesex), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for H5227?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5227
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.