Environment

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 3, 2025

S 576: An Act relative to outdoor heritage

By Mr. Durant, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 576) of Peter J. Durant, David F. DeCoste, Christopher M. Markey, Joseph D. McKenna and others for legislation relative to outdoor heritage. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill categorized under Environment and Natural Resources with 'outdoor heritage' implying conservation efforts and protection of natural areas.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3584: An Act to prevent gas expansion to protect climate, community health and safety.

By Representative Williams of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3584) of Bud L. Williams for legislation to further regulate gas facilities. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPrevents gas expansion to protect climate, directly reducing fossil fuel dependence and aligning with renewable energy transition goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrevents gas expansion to protect climate and health, directly reducing emissions and strengthening environmental regulations per bill title and summary.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 9, 2026

S 551: An Act prohibiting the sale of newly farmed fur products

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 551) of Cynthia Stone Creem, Joanne M. Comerford, Michael O. Moore, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to prohibit the sale of newly farmed fur products. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans sale of farmed fur products, reducing environmental harm from resource-intensive industry and pollution; aligns with Environment committee focus95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 3984: An Act relative to promoting the beneficial use of dredged materials for coastal resilience, nourishment and restoration

This bill establishes guidelines for using dredged materials (sand and sediment removed from waterways) in coastal restoration projects instead of traditional disposal methods. It requires state environmental agencies to prioritize beneficial uses, such as beach nourishment and shoreline stabilization, to improve coastal resilience. Coastal communities and state agencies managing dredging operations would be directly affected by implementing these new requirements. The policy aims to reduce disposal costs while enhancing natural coastal protection through existing dredging activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prioritizes beneficial use of dredged materials for coastal restoration, enhancing resilience and conservation. Replaces disposal with environmental protection, directly advancing natural resource conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Recycling Water Quality

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 3945: An Act to promote urban agriculture in environmental justice communities

H 3945 supports urban farming in neighborhoods historically burdened by pollution (known as environmental justice communities). It establishes a state program to provide grants and technical assistance for community gardens and small urban farms in these areas. The bill aims to improve local access to fresh food while helping residents address environmental health concerns through locally grown produce. This directly affects residents in designated environmental justice communities and community organizations managing urban agriculture projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes grants for urban farms in pollution-burdened environmental justice communities to address environmental health concerns through locally grown produce, directly advancing pollution mitigation and community environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 26, 2025

S 2359: An Act relative to setting deadlines to electrify the MBTA commuter rail

This bill sets specific deadlines for electrifying the MBTA commuter rail system. It directly affects the MBTA and its operations by requiring the agency to meet defined timelines for transitioning from diesel to electric trains. The key mechanism is establishing legally binding deadlines for this infrastructure change, though the abstract does not specify exact dates or phases. The bill focuses on accelerating the electrification process for public transit service.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates electrification of MBTA commuter rail, reducing diesel dependence and advancing clean energy infrastructure transition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentElectrifying MBTA commuter rail reduces diesel emissions and promotes clean energy transit, directly advancing pollution control and climate goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates electrification deadlines for MBTA commuter rail, advancing sustainable public transit infrastructure and reducing diesel dependence.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Public Transit Rail

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 122: An Act to put a moratorium on new gas system expansion

HD 122 imposes a moratorium on new natural gas and related infrastructure projects until at least 2026. It prohibits the approval of new combustible fuel facilities (including natural gas, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen systems) or expansions of existing ones, except for safety-related projects. The bill also bans gas companies from expanding into towns without pre-existing gas service and removes the Department of Public Utilities' authority to approve gas expansions beyond a company's charter town. This directly affects gas utilities, towns without current gas infrastructure, and the state's approval process for energy projects.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes moratorium on new gas infrastructure, blocking natural gas, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen systems. Restricts energy infrastructure expansion, opposing gas system development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMoratorium on new gas infrastructure reduces fossil fuel dependence and emissions, directly advancing environmental protection goals by limiting expansion of polluting energy systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 142: An Act to establishing a moratorium on new gas system expansion

HD 142 imposes a temporary moratorium on approving new natural gas infrastructure projects or expanding existing systems until at least 2026, with exceptions only for public safety. It directly affects natural gas utility companies and developers seeking permits for new pipelines or facility expansions. Key provisions include defining "combustible fuel facilities" to cover natural gas systems and prohibiting new construction in towns without active gas service. The law halts all new approvals and expansions until 2026, requiring safety justification for any exceptions.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes moratorium on new natural gas infrastructure, restricting fossil fuel expansion and opposing continued reliance on gas systems for energy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMoratorium on new gas infrastructure reduces fossil fuel reliance and halts emissions-intensive projects until 2026, directly advancing climate goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 170: An Act relative to setting NDMA levels

This bill requires Massachusetts' Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish safe maximum levels for NDMA (n-Nitrosodimethylamine), a chemical found in drinking water, to protect public health. It directly affects public water systems, which must test for NDMA and report levels exceeding the new limits to the DEP. The DEP must enforce these limits by treating violations as breaches of existing drinking water regulations and provide annual reports to the legislature detailing testing results and exceedances. The law aims to standardize monitoring and response for NDMA in the Commonwealth's water supply.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires DEP to set safe NDMA levels in drinking water, enforcing limits to protect public health from a carcinogen, strengthening water safety regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 179: An Act relative to liability for release of hazardous materials

This bill redefines "condition of substantial release migration" for hazardous material releases, specifying scenarios requiring immediate action - such as groundwater contamination within 200 feet per year, vapor intrusion near schools/residences, or releases detected in water supplies. It adds "critical exposure pathways" to clarify when vapor or water contamination poses direct health risks to people in buildings. The bill also creates liability protection for entities that completed approved cleanup efforts, stating they cannot be held liable for past releases if the environmental department audited and verified their cleanup. These changes clarify when response actions are mandatory and shield responsible parties from future claims for properly managed sites.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies critical exposure pathways requiring immediate action for hazardous material releases, strengthening environmental protection standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Water Quality

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