Environment (Water Quality)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 828: An Act relative to the Quabbin watershed and regional equity

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 546) of Joanne M. Comerford, Jacob R. Oliveira and Peter J. Durant for legislation to establish the Quabbin Host Community Trust Fund. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates Quabbin Host Community Trust Fund under Environment and Natural Resources, directly supporting watershed protection and natural resource conservation efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1920: An Act relative to funding water infrastructure and addressing economic target areas

This bill creates the Commonwealth Water Infrastructure Trust Fund, financed by new fees charged by cities and towns for water/sewer connections ($250 for residential, $1,000 for commercial/industrial). The fund distributes 50% of collected fees back to the cities/towns that collected them for local water infrastructure projects, 40% to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, and 5% each to the Department of Environmental Protection (for economic target areas) and the Department of Revenue (for administration). Municipalities receiving funds must report annually on project use, and the Department of Environmental Protection must create a specific initiative to assist municipalities in economic target areas with water infrastructure planning. The bill directly affects local governments, the Clean Water Trust, and the DEP, with funding flowing without needing annual legislative approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new fees ($250/$1,000) to fund water infrastructure via trust fund, distributing 50% to local projects and 40% to clean water trust, advancing public service funding through targeted revenue.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates 40% of fees to Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and 5% to DEP for environmental projects, directly funding water infrastructure and protection efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2634: An Act relative to meeting the Commonwealth's water infrastructure future

HD 2634 allocates $2.2 billion to modernize Massachusetts' water infrastructure, primarily through $2 billion for expanding the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's service area to support housing development and address PFAS-contaminated water supplies. The bill prioritizes funding for debt relief to improve affordability in struggling communities, grants for sewer and water upgrades tied to housing projects, and research on PFAS and biosolids. It also establishes a commission to review water transfer laws for housing development and requires annual reports on expansion projects and barriers. The funding directly affects municipalities, water utilities, and communities with water quality issues, with specific targets for housing-related infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds PFAS cleanup and water infrastructure to address contamination, directly protecting water quality and reducing pollution per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $2B to expand water authority service area to support housing development, includes debt relief for affordability and grants tied to housing projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Property Development

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1118: An Act relative to combined sewer overflows

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 608) of Patricia D. Jehlen relative to combined sewer overflows. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAddresses combined sewer overflows (a water pollution source) under Environment committee, directly aiming to protect waterways and reduce environmental contamination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1396: An Act establishing the municipal reforestation program

HD 1396 establishes a Municipal Reforestation Program in Massachusetts, requiring participating municipalities (those with less than 60% urban tree canopy or opting in) to develop reforestation plans. The bill creates an Urban Forest Advisory Council to provide science-based guidance on tree species selection, planting standards, and infrastructure compatibility, while developing model ordinances for tree preservation. Key provisions include setting metrics to measure environmental benefits like carbon sequestration, heat island reduction, and stormwater management. The program directly affects municipalities needing to improve tree canopy cover, with the council advising on implementation and workforce training for urban forestry.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes municipal reforestation program requiring tree canopy expansion and environmental metrics, directly advancing conservation and urban forest protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Water Quality

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2708: An Act promoting drinking water quality for all

This bill establishes minimum standards for private wells serving homes and small properties. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to set testing rules for contaminants, including mandatory pre-sale inspections for properties with private wells (with specific exceptions like mortgages or family transfers). Homeowners must test new wells before use and before selling property, with local health boards able to enforce stricter rules. The bill also creates a program to help homeowners install treatment systems if their well water doesn’t meet public drinking water standards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates contaminant testing for private wells, strengthening water quality regulations to prevent pollution and protect public health, directly advancing environmental protection standards.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses public health via water quality standards to prevent contamination-related illnesses, aligning with public health program protections.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2441: An Act to ensure safe drinking water for state funding eligibility in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

This bill requires Massachusetts municipalities to meet state and federal drinking water standards to qualify for state funding or grants. To comply, towns and cities must annually test water for contaminants like lead and PFAS, obtain MassDEP certification, and submit remediation plans if noncompliant (with funding suspended until fixed). The state will provide technical support and prioritize funding for infrastructure upgrades addressing water quality issues. MassDEP must publish annual reports tracking municipal compliance, with the law taking effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates testing for environmental contaminants (lead/PFAS), requires remediation, and prioritizes funding for water infrastructure - strengthens environmental protections for public health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2255: An Act providing for further testing after a combined sewage overflow event

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 606) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation relative to further testing after a combined sewage overflow event. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates additional testing after sewage overflows to assess pollution impact, directly strengthening water quality protection under environmental regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1195: An Act relative to meeting the Commonwealth's water infrastructure future

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 563) of John J. Cronin for legislation relative to meet the Commonwealth's water infrastructure future. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill focuses on water infrastructure under Environment/Natural Resources subject, directly addressing environmental protection through infrastructure planning for water resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 900: An Act protecting drinking water quality in private wells

By Representatives Blais of Deerfield and Kilcoyne of Clinton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 900) of Natalie M. Blais, Meghan K. Kilcoyne and others for legislation to protect drinking water quality in private wells. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly protects drinking water quality in private wells, a direct environmental protection measure under Environment committee jurisdiction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

Track