eNews Action Alert – February 25, 2026

OPPOSE HB707 requiring .gov domains for all public bodies before this afternoon!

Wednesday, February 25, 2026/Categories: eNews

OPPOSE: HB707 (Hayes) which requires all public bodies to have a .gov domain for email addresses and websites

Will be heard by the full General Laws and Technology Committee this AFTERNOON!

HB707 (Hayes) State government; transactions of public business, prohibited website domains.

What it does:

This bill requires all public bodies to have a .gov domain for their websites and email addresses. This includes Economic Development Authorities and Industrial Development Authorities, museums and schools.

Reasons to OPPOSE HB707:

• Many localities have websites that are not .gov; to change would have a fiscal impact.
• That cost not only includes moving to .gov but also business cards, letterhead, websites, a campaign for the constituents to understand the change, etc.
• Many local elected officials have used the same email address in talking with their constituents for years; this will confuse the public.
• Economic Development Authorities and Industrial Development Authorities use their email/website domain for branding - this could have a chilling effect on obtaining new economic development projects.

Action requested:

HB707 will likely be heard by the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee today (Wednesday, February 25).

Please contact the members of the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee (below) immediately to OPPOSE HB707.

VML Contact: Michelle Gowdy, mgowdy@vml.org; Josette Bulova, jbulova@vml.org