Environment

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1423: An Act relative to maintaining adequate water supplies through effective drought management

HD 1423 creates a statewide drought management task force within the Massachusetts Office of Environmental Affairs. The task force, co-chaired by the Secretary and the Emergency Management Director, includes agency heads and water sector representatives, and must develop and update a statewide drought management plan every 5-10 years. It authorizes the Secretary to implement water conservation measures (like limiting nonessential outdoor use) during droughts, applying to all water users in designated drought regions. Cities and towns must enforce these Secretary-ordered restrictions, overriding local rules that conflict with drought management. The bill directly affects all Massachusetts water users during drought conditions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates drought management task force and mandates water conservation measures to protect water resources, a core environmental conservation effort.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 6, 2026

S 1922: An Act relative to the Massachusetts fund for vulnerable countries most affected by climate change

By Mr. Barrett, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1922) of Michael J. Barrett and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to the Massachusetts fund for vulnerable countries most affected by climate change. Revenue.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Massachusetts fund to support vulnerable countries impacted by climate change, directly advancing climate action and environmental protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1702: An Act relative to the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company Board of Directors

This bill (HD 1702) changes the governance structure of the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) Board of Directors. It requires the governor to appoint four directors with specific expertise (environmental justice, clean energy/climate policy, and from the Energy and Environmental Affairs office), while member cities and towns elect seven directors based on voting rules weighted by electricity sales. The board must now explicitly consider equity, greenhouse gas reductions, and local emissions limits when making decisions. These changes aim to align MMWEC's governance with Massachusetts climate goals and community priorities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates clean energy/climate policy expertise on board and requires explicit GHG reduction considerations, directly advancing renewable energy governance.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires governor to appoint directors with environmental justice/clean energy expertise and mandates board to explicitly consider greenhouse gas reductions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Climate Change Environmental Justice

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Mar 13, 2025

HD 3216: An Act creating a climate bank in Massachusetts

By Representative Meschino of Hull, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 9) of Joan Meschino and others for legislation to create a climate bank to facilitate innovative financing solutions for climate and clean energy innovations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates climate bank to fund clean energy innovations in public/private sectors, aligning with renewable energy investment indicators90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates climate bank to fund climate/clean energy innovations, directly advancing environmental protection through financing solutions for clean energy projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1973: An Act relative to the conservation of striped bass

This bill bans commercial harvesting and sale of wild striped bass in Massachusetts, except for existing license holders who averaged over 1,000 pounds of striped bass annually for the past five years (as verified by the Division of Marine Fisheries). It requires commercial fishermen to report annual catches within 90 days and prohibits new licenses or license transfers after 2029. Violations of commercial fishing rules incur fines starting at $200 per fish. The law does not affect recreational fishing but allows the fisheries director to adjust catch limits if fishery conditions worsen.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans commercial harvesting of striped bass to conserve the species, directly aligning with environmental conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3811: An Act authorizing the Barnstable County and the town of Bourne to convey land and certain interests in land in the town of Bourne

This bill authorizes Barnstable County to transfer specific land in Bourne (at 0 County Road and 100 Dr. Julius Kelley Lane) to the town of Bourne, including a parcel subject to an existing conservation restriction. The town, which holds that conservation restriction (document #978,790), may also assign it to a qualified entity when acquiring the property from the county. The transfer is permitted under Massachusetts constitutional provisions for land conveyances, and the bill takes effect immediately upon passage. This is a procedural land transfer bill affecting only the specified property and its conservation status.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill preserves existing conservation restriction (doc #978,790) during land transfer, maintaining environmental protection without weakening it.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4260: An Act regarding the reform of Class 2 regulations

HD 4260 requires Massachusetts retail electric suppliers to provide at least 34.75% of their electricity sales from designated "Class II" renewable sources starting January 1, 2009. It directly affects all retail electric suppliers serving customers in Massachusetts. Key provisions define Class II sources (including solar, wind, existing hydro under strict limits, landfill gas, and specific biofuels), mandate that 34.75% of revenue from renewable energy certificates must fund approved recycling programs, and impose specific restrictions on hydroelectric facilities (e.g., no new dams, max 7.5 MW, existing facilities only). The bill aims to increase renewable energy usage through these specific sourcing requirements and funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 34.75% renewable electricity from Class II sources (solar, wind, hydro, etc.), directly advancing renewable energy adoption and meeting clean energy standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 34.75% renewable energy from solar/wind, funds recycling via RECs, directly advancing clean energy and conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Renewable Energy Solar Recycling Waste Management

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3625: An Act relative to solid waste byproduct management and control

By Representatives Giannino of Revere and Turco of Winthrop, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 955) of Jessica Ann Giannino relative to solid waste byproduct management and control. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill addresses solid waste byproduct management under Environment committee, aiming to regulate waste disposal and reduce pollution through control measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 291: An Act relative to the Douglas State Forest Maintenance Trust Fund

This bill increases the annual funding amount for the Douglas State Forest Maintenance Trust Fund from $1 to $5 per year. It directly affects the trust fund, which supports maintenance activities in Douglas State Forest. The change is a simple monetary adjustment to the existing funding provision in state law. No other provisions or policy changes are included in this bill.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases annual funding for Douglas State Forest Maintenance Trust Fund, directly supporting forest conservation and maintenance activities under environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1255: Resolve providing for an investigation and study by a special commission relative to mattress recycling

This bill establishes a special commission to study how municipalities in Massachusetts handle discarded mattresses, bed foundations, and box springs. The commission will examine the financial and environmental costs of current disposal methods, evaluate recycling options, review successful programs from other states, and assess opportunities for partnerships with recycling nonprofits. Composed of environmental officials, legislators, waste management experts, and industry representatives, the group must file a report with lawmakers by November 2025 containing recommendations for potential policy changes. The bill itself does not enact new laws but sets up a study to inform future legislation on mattress recycling.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill studies mattress recycling to reduce landfill waste and environmental costs, promoting conservation and pollution control through municipal waste management evaluation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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