An Act protecting the rights of municipalities and districts

This bill amends Massachusetts water laws to clarify that the state's permit and registration programs are designed to balance water use while protecting local water resources. It explicitly states that municipalities and other registrants who file renewal statements are entitled to their approved water volumes without additional conditions, with the only exception being the requirement for accurate metering. By restricting the state department from imposing other conditions, the legislation aims to secure existing water rights for local users against new regulatory hurdles.