An Act relative to a cranberry water use transfer program
This bill allows cranberry growers to transfer their water use permits to other permitted users to help meet water requirements, primarily benefiting cranberry operations in Massachusetts. It enables registered water use statements and permits for cranberry farming to be shared with other authorized users for mitigation purposes. The Department of Environmental Protection must create implementing regulations by December 31, 2026. The bill directly affects cranberry growers and other water permit holders by creating a new transfer mechanism for water use rights.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 31, 2025
Last action Dec 31, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Dec 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
lower
Dec 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported from the committee on Agriculture and Fisheries
lower
0 primary · 12 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about H 4856
Scope: MA
Hi! I can help you understand H 4856. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline