HD 3507 creates Massachusetts' "Buy Clean" program requiring contractors on large construction projects to provide environmental impact data for specific building materials. It applies to projects over 50,000 square feet, major renovations, or transportation infrastructure costing over $3 million, affecting contractors working on state-funded construction. Starting July 2027, contractors must submit environmental product declarations (showing carbon emissions) and health declarations for covered materials like concrete, steel, and engineered wood before project completion. The law includes provisions for small businesses to receive financial assistance to offset costs of creating required environmental reports. The program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from construction materials by making environmental data mandatory for state procurement.
By Representative Ciccolo of Lexington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 908) of Michelle L. Ciccolo relative to food and beverage packaging waste. Environment and Natural Resources.
Senate, June 23, 2025 -- The committee on Environment and Natural Resources, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 543) of Michael J. Barrett for legislation to reduce disposable plastic straw waste; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 554) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation to establish the Sustainable Food Service Ware Act; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 589) of James B. Eldridge and Steven Owens for legislation to protect wastewater and sewerage systems through the labeling of non-flushable wipes; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 590) of James B. Eldridge and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to plastic bag reduction; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 609) of John F. Keenan for legislation to prohibit hotels from providing plastic-packaged personal care products; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 629) of Jason M. Lewis and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to reduce the use of polystyrene, opting for reusable alternatives to protect the environment; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 630) of Jason M. Lewis, Joanne M. Comerford and James B. Eldridge for legislation to reduce single-use plastics from the environment; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 643) of Michael O. Moore for legislation to define recyclable beverage containers; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 654) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Edward R. Philips, Joanne M. Comerford, Brian W. Murray and other members of the General Court for legislation to reduce plastics, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2541).
By Representative Ramos of North Andover, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4111) of Adrianne Pusateri Ramos and Sally P. Kerans for legislation to create a battery recycling program. Environment and Natural Resources.
By Representative Ciccolo of Lexington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 916) of Michelle L. Ciccolo and others for legislation to reduce single-use plastics from the environment. Environment and Natural Resources.
By Representative LaNatra of Kingston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 988) of Kathleen R. LaNatra that the Department of Environmental Protection establish programs to promote ocean health and the responsible use of the ocean. Environment and Natural Resources.
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 626) of Vincent Dixon, for legislation to consider adoption of aspects of the German Green Dot Waste Reduction Standards. Environment and Natural Resources.
This bill requires Massachusetts' cannabis commission to create a sustainability working group that will collaborate with industry representatives. The group must develop specific plans for reusing cannabis product packaging, creating standardized waste disposal guidelines, and establishing a program to reuse RFID tracking tags. These measures directly affect cannabis cultivators, wholesalers, and the state commission by mandating new industry-wide sustainability protocols. The bill focuses on concrete operational changes for packaging, waste handling, and tracking systems within the legal cannabis market.
HD 1595 creates tax credits for restaurants meeting specific environmental standards. Restaurants certified as "Green" by the Department of Environmental Protection can earn a $5,000 tax credit upon certification, plus up to $5,000 annually for three years if they use reusable dishes, utensils, and bulk condiments while providing dine-in or take-out service (with items like napkins only provided upon request). Counties with enough certified restaurants can become "Green Dining Destinations" for promotional use, and state agencies must prefer certified restaurants when booking meals. Only 250 restaurants can claim the credit each year, with existing certified restaurants getting priority over new applicants.
This bill, HD 2951, changes how certain environmental fees are managed in Massachusetts. It directs the first $70 million in annual fees collected by the state revenue commissioner into the General Fund, while all additional fees go to a newly established "Clean Environment Fund." The fund must be used for solid waste management, environmental protection, and climate change projects (excluding incineration costs), with at least 40% allocated to recycling and waste reduction programs. It also requires 10% more for recycling initiatives and caps non-waste programs at 50% of the fund's total. The bill directly affects state budgeting for environmental programs and funding priorities.
