Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 9 - Department of the State Secretary
Section 26b - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 26a, 26c, and 27 to 27c

Section 26B. The following definitions shall apply to section twenty-six A, section twenty-six C, and to sections twenty-seven to twenty-seven C, inclusive:—
''Adverse effect'', (1) the destruction or alteration of all or part of a site, (2) the isolation or alteration of a site's surrounding environment, (3) the introduction of visual, audible or atmospheric elements that are out of character with the site or alter its setting, (4) the neglect of a site resulting in deterioration or destruction, or (5) the transfer or sale of the site without adequate conditions or restrictions regarding preservation, maintenance or use.
''Effect'', any change in the integrity of the location, design, setting, material, workmanship, feeling or association of the site.
''Field investigation'', the study of the traces of human culture or other remains at any land or water site by means of surveying, digging, sampling, excavating or removing surface or subsurface objects, or the entrance onto a site with that intent.
''License'', a permit determination, order or other action, including the issuance of a lease, license, permit, certificate, variance, approval, or other entitlement for use, granted to any person, firm, or corporation, including trusts, voluntary association or other forms of business organizations by a state body for a project but shall not include a general entitlement to a person to carry on a trade or profession or to operate mechanical equipment which does not depend upon the location of such trade or operation.
''Project'', action, activity, program, construction, or land modification, including, but not limited to, a building or structure, either directly undertaken by a state body, or which, if undertaken by a private person, in whole or in part seeks the provision of financial assistance by a state body or, in whole or in part requires the issuance of a license by a state body.
''Site'', any building, structure, district or area including those underground, that is one hundred and fifty years old or more and significant in the history, archeology, architecture or culture of the nation, the commonwealth or its communities as determined by the commission.
''Specimens'', all relics, artifacts, remains, objects, or any other evidence of a historical, prehistorical, archeological, anthropological or paleontological nature fifty years old or more which may be found below or on the surface of the earth, and which have scientific, historical or archeological value, including but not limited to objects of antiquity, aboriginal, colonial or industrial relics, and archeological or paleontological samples.
''State body'', any agency, executive office, department, board, commission, bureau, division, or authority of the commonwealth established to serve a public purpose.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth

Chapter 9 - Department of the State Secretary

Section 1 - State Secretary; Duties; Bond; Salary; Other Sources of Income

Section 2 - Deputies; Assistants; Civil Service

Section 2a - Archives Advisory Commission; Establishment; Members and Alternates, Appointment; Powers and Duties; Receipt and Disposition of Funds; Expenses

Section 2b - Annual Personnel Report

Section 2c - Funding for Archives Museum

Section 3 - Deputies; Power to Act in Absence of Secretary

Section 4 - Supervisor of Public Records

Section 4a - Acts, Resolves and Constitutional Amendments; Publication

Section 4b - Pamphlet Edition of Laws; Distribution of Copies of Individual Laws

Section 4c - Cumulative Table of Changes in General Statutes

Section 4d - Distribution of Printed Copies of Official Reports

Section 4e - Reports of War Veterans' Organizations

Section 4f - Distribution of Judicial Decisions and General Laws to Cities and Towns

Section 4g - Subsequent Distribution to City or Town; Insurance

Section 4h - Distribution of Laws and Documents to Members of General Court

Section 5 - Traveling, Clerical and Other Expenses of Supervisor

Section 8 - Information Available to Federal Census Authorities

Section 9a - Local Election Districts Review Commission; Membership; Compensation; Duties

Section 10a - Administration and Enforcement of Chapter 110a; Staff

Section 11 - Great Seal; Custody; Certified Copies of Records as Evidence

Section 12 - Books and Records of Maine Lands; Custody

Section 13 - Stereotype and Other Plates; Custody and Disposition

Section 15 - Justices and Notaries; Notice of Expiration of Commissions

Section 15a - Justices and Notaries; Acting After Expiration of Commission; Validation Certificate

Section 16 - Annual List of Designated Justices of the Peace

Section 17 - Annual Report

Section 19 - Destruction or Sale of Documents of No Value; Reproduction of Records of Corporations.

Section 20a - Central Register of Contracting Opportunities Offered by Governmental Agencies

Section 20b - Government Activities; Citizen Education Programs; Acceptance of Gifts, Contributions, Bequests, Etc.

Section 21 - Commission on Interstate Cooperation; Membership; Term

Section 22 - Commission on Interstate Cooperation; Committees and Advisory Boards; Rules

Section 23 - Commission on Interstate Cooperation; Primary Function; Powers and Duties

Section 24 - Commission on Interstate Cooperation; Reporting

Section 26 - Massachusetts Historical Commission; Establishment

Section 26a - State Archeologist; Duties; Reservation of Lands From Sale; Cooperation of Governmental Agencies

Section 26b - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 26a, 26c, and 27 to 27c

Section 26c - State Register of Historic Places

Section 26d - Property Listings; Regulations

Section 27 - Certification of Historic or Archeological Landmarks; Standards for Care and Management; Alteration of Landmarks; Field Investigation of Sites

Section 27a - Hearings, Contracts, Acceptance of Gifts, etc., Authorized; Assistance and Data of Other Agencies

Section 27b - Federal Historic Preservation Act; Surveys and Plans; Custody and Expenditure of Funds

Section 27c - Projects; Notice; Adverse Effect; Review

Section 27d - Historic Homesteads

Section 28 - Portraits and Art Objects in State House; Photographs

Section 29 - State Ballot Law Commission; Records Conservation Board

Section 30 - Voting Equipment Loan Program

Section 31 - Surcharge on Fees of Registers of Deeds and Assistant Recorders; Registries Under Control of State Secretary; Surcharge to Fund Improvements at Registries; Disposition of Surcharge