Environment (Air Quality)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1086: An Act to ensure cleaner air for communities overburdened by outdoor air pollution

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1548) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Joanne M. Comerford, Jacob R. Oliveira, Sal N. DiDomenico and other members of the Senate for legislation to improve outdoor and indoor air quality for communities burdened by transportation pollution. Public Health.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly targets transportation pollution to improve air quality in overburdened communities, directly reducing emissions and protecting public health per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 2, 2025

H 4463: An Act to provide green and healthy public colleges and universities

This bill creates a Green and Healthy Public College and University Building Planning Commission to assess and improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, accessibility, and safety in all public higher education buildings across Massachusetts. The commission, including representatives from universities, labor groups, health and environmental organizations, must develop standards by 2028 and create a plan to ensure all public college/university buildings meet these standards by 2037. It requires public reporting through an online dashboard tracking building assessments and prioritizes renovations for facilities serving underserved communities or with the greatest health/safety needs. The bill also establishes a dedicated fund to finance these upgrades using state appropriations, grants, and other sources, with cost-benefit analyses comparing long-term savings to upfront investments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationImproves physical infrastructure for higher education buildings, enhancing safety, accessibility, and environmental quality - directly advancing educational environment standards.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates energy efficiency standards for public college buildings, directly advancing energy conservation goals through commission-led planning and implementation timelines.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates energy efficiency standards and indoor air quality improvements in public buildings, directly advancing environmental protection through reduced emissions and healthier facilities by 2037.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncludes labor groups in commission to improve building safety standards, directly addressing workplace safety under Labor & Employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Energy Efficiency Air Quality

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 3, 2025

H 997: An Act improving air quality in airport environmental justice communities

By Representative Madaro of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 997) of Adrian C. Madaro and William F. MacGregor for legislation to require the Massachusetts Port Authority to conduct an environmental risk assessment of the health impacts of the General Lawrence Logan Airport in the East Boston section of the city of Boston and the town of Winthrop. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates environmental risk assessment for airport air quality impacts, directly addressing pollution control and health protections in environmental justice communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Environmental Justice

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1944: An Act promoting resilience against the heat-related impacts of climate change

HD 1944 creates a low-income cooling assistance program to help vulnerable residents - such as seniors, young children, and people with certain health conditions - pay for cooling costs or receive energy-efficient appliances. It also prevents utility shutoffs for residential cooling during extreme heat (95°F+ heat index) or poor air quality (AQI 151+). The bill mandates a study on updating building temperature standards and establishes an extreme heat task force to develop emergency protocols and coordinate cooling strategies across state agencies. These provisions directly affect low-income households, utility providers, and public health systems in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes energy-efficient appliances for low-income residents and prevents utility shutoffs during extreme heat, advancing energy efficiency and consumer protection in energy infrastructure.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly addresses climate change impacts through heat resilience programs, prevents utility shutoffs during extreme heat (climate-related), and mandates a heat task force - clearly advancing environmental protection efforts.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides cooling assistance for vulnerable residents and prevents utility shutoffs during extreme heat, supporting housing stability for low-income households.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2036: An Act protecting drinking water and public health from sand mining pollution

HD 2036 creates a 6-member advisory panel to investigate sand mining's impacts on public health and the environment. The panel includes experts in GIS, ecology, community advocacy, hydrology, and Indigenous environmental justice, appointed by state leaders and the Governor. It will study sand mining effects on drinking water, Environmental Justice communities, climate resilience, and air pollution (including silica exposure) over two years. The panel's findings will inform potential regulatory changes to mining licensing laws under Chapter 21B, Section 5, aimed at protecting water, health, and the environment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly creates panel to study sand mining pollution's impact on drinking water/environment, aiming to inform protective regulations per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Drinking Water Environmental Justice

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1924: An Act to ensure cleaner air for communities overburdened by outdoor air pollution

This bill requires Massachusetts to address air pollution in communities disproportionately affected by outdoor air pollution. It creates a technical advisory committee to identify pollution "hotspots" near highways, industrial areas, and transportation hubs, and mandates new air monitoring for pollutants like black carbon and ultrafine particles. By 2030, the state must reduce pollution levels in these hotspots by 50% compared to 2026 baselines, with a 75% reduction target by 2035. The bill also requires high-efficiency air filtration systems in specific buildings within 200 meters of pollution sources - including public housing, schools, colleges, and large commercial buildings - to improve indoor air quality for residents and workers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates 50% pollution reduction by 2030 in overburdened communities, creates monitoring for harmful pollutants, and establishes binding targets for air quality improvement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Environmental Justice

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 4108: An Act improving air quality in airport environmental justice communities

By Representative Madaro of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 997) of Adrian C. Madaro and William F. MacGregor for legislation to require the Massachusetts Port Authority to conduct an environmental risk assessment of the health impacts of the General Lawrence Logan Airport in the East Boston section of the city of Boston and the town of Winthrop. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental risk assessment for airport air quality impacts in environmental justice communities, directly addressing pollution control and health protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Environmental Justice

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 2288: An Act to remove woody biomass from the greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2288) of Adam Gomez for legislation to remove woody biomass from the greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill removes woody biomass from emissions standards, promoting renewable energy use in municipal lighting plants by easing regulatory barriers for a renewable source.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes woody biomass from greenhouse gas emissions standards, weakening regulatory requirements for municipal plants and exempting a potential emissions source from reporting.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 9, 2025

H 4590: An Act to improve indoor air quality for highly-impacted communities

H 4590 creates a task force to address indoor air pollution in schools, care facilities, housing, and other community buildings. The task force, including health, environmental, and community experts, must develop recommendations for monitoring and fixing air quality issues within one year, with public input required before finalizing. It also mandates the Department of Public Health to create regulations by July 2027 for testing ultrafine particles and black carbon in indoor air, based on current health science. These regulations will require standard testing procedures and public reporting for existing and new buildings. The bill directly affects residents and staff in the specified facilities by establishing new air quality standards and oversight.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates regulations for testing indoor pollutants (ultrafine particles, black carbon) to improve air quality in vulnerable communities, directly reducing pollution and strengthening environmental protections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates public health department to regulate indoor air quality in care facilities/schools, directly improving public health outcomes as defined in healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 351: An Act relative to air quality in public schools

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 351) of Ryan C. Fattman, Patrick M. O'Connor and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create a task force to review and investigate indoor air quality in public school buildings. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates task force to review school air quality, improving school infrastructure and student health in public schools, directly supporting educational environment.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates task force to review indoor air quality in schools, addressing pollution control within environmental protection framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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