H 1194 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relative to the cleanup of accidental home heating oil spills

This bill requires homeowners' insurance policies in Massachusetts to include mandatory coverage for accidental heating oil spills from residential tanks. It applies to 1-4 unit dwellings with above-ground or below-ground heating oil tanks, mandating minimum $75,000 first-party coverage for cleanup and property damage, plus $250,000 third-party liability coverage for environmental claims. Insurers must offer this coverage unless homeowners formally reject it in writing. The policy ensures homeowners cannot be denied coverage for spill response costs, including groundwater contamination affecting neighboring properties.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Oct 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Oct 9, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Oct 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
lower
Oct 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Financial Services
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Steven Howitt
Steven Howitt
RRepublican
MA
4th Bristol