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Committee backs measure letting residents petition referendums on municipal sales or privatizations
Summary
The committee approved a bill lowering the petition threshold to trigger a local referendum on municipal authority sales, asset sales, or privatization of municipal services from 10% to 5% of electors, and adding timing and petition requirements.
The Government Administration and Elections Committee voted to JFS H.B. 7208 (LCO 6729), a proposal that allows citizens to petition for a referendum when a municipality proposes the sale of an authority or other municipal assets or privatizes departmental services or functions.
The substitute language adopted in committee lowers the signature threshold for a valid petition from 10% of electors to 5% (within a 30‑day window), specifies petition requirements and clarifies that a sale agreement cannot be finalized until the 30‑day petition window expires.
Supporters framed the bill as a tool to give residents a practicable mechanism to challenge municipal privatizations and asset sales. Opponents, including Representative Master Francesco, said the proposal imposes a municipal mandate that could undermine local control and argued towns have other remedies (charter revision, electoral change) to address local governance concerns.
The committee advanced the bill to the floor; members signaled they expect continued debate about local control versus citizen referendum rights.
