Environment (Climate Change)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1053: An Act establishing a pilot program for nature-based solutions to climate change

This bill establishes a 5-year pilot program within the state's energy and environmental office to advance nature-based climate solutions (like wetland restoration or urban green spaces). The program defines categories and standards for these solutions, streamlines permitting for research and demonstration projects, and prioritizes projects that advance science, conserve resources, and protect wetlands. It requires the environmental secretary to report annually to the legislature on program categories, permit approval times, modified standards, and project effectiveness. The program directly affects state agencies managing permits and projects implementing nature-based climate strategies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes pilot program for nature-based climate solutions, prioritizes wetland protection and resource conservation, directly advancing environmental goals per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2154: An Act relative to building energy and decarbonization

This bill establishes "green plus communities" for municipalities that meet specific climate action requirements, including creating a 5-year plan to cut building emissions by at least 20% and adopting stricter energy codes. It allocates $40 million for energy programs, with $10 million specifically for green plus communities, and sets annual carbon intensity limits for large buildings that must decrease over time. Building owners must comply with these limits or use approved alternatives like on-site renewable energy, with reduced fees for low-income buildings and small businesses. The bill also creates a retrofit funding program to support deep energy upgrades (excluding fossil fuel conversions) and requires standardized reporting to avoid duplicate data collection.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $40M for energy programs, including $10M for green plus communities, directly funding climate initiatives through state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 20% building emission cuts, funds green communities ($10M), sets decreasing carbon limits for buildings, and promotes stricter energy codes - directly advancing decarbonization and efficiency goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 20% building emission cuts, allocates $10M for green communities, and sets declining carbon limits for large buildings, directly advancing climate goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Climate Change

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4571: An Act authorizing the town of Brookline to adopt green zoning by-laws and regulations

This bill allows the town of Brookline to create its own zoning rules focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in buildings. It directly affects Brookline residents, property owners, and developers by enabling local regulations on building materials, solar systems, heating/cooling equipment, and utility connections (like electric vehicle charging). Key provisions protect these local rules from being blocked by the state Attorney General, covering areas like emissions from construction, building energy use, and renewable energy infrastructure. The bill specifically authorizes Brookline to implement measures addressing climate impacts through zoning, without conflicting with state building codes or utility regulations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables Brookline to adopt zoning for GHG reduction, energy efficiency, solar systems, and EV infrastructure, directly advancing renewable energy and efficiency standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly authorizes green zoning to reduce emissions and improve building energy efficiency, directly advancing climate protection and pollution control.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables local EV charging infrastructure via zoning rules, directly supporting sustainable transportation infrastructure development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Efficiency Solar Climate Change Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

H 4420: An Act to address the impact of climate change on farms and fisheries

H 4420 creates the Agriculture and Fishery Vulnerability Preparedness Grant Fund to help Massachusetts farms and fisheries prepare for climate change impacts. The fund, managed by state agricultural and fishery departments, provides grants for climate resilience projects like energy-efficient farming, climate-resilient infrastructure, and data collection. It also supports technical assistance to help applicants plan and secure funding for these initiatives. Grants are awarded based on sector and regional needs, with quarterly reports tracking applicants, recipients, funding amounts, and administrative costs to state legislative committees. The fund permanently retains unspent money, ensuring ongoing support without annual re-appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new state grant fund (Agriculture and Fishery Vulnerability Preparedness Grant Fund) using budget resources to fund climate resilience projects, directly allocating state appropriations for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly funds energy-efficient farming projects through the grant program, directly advancing energy efficiency in agriculture as part of climate resilience initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates grant fund for climate resilience projects in agriculture/fisheries, directly supporting environmental adaptation and protection through funding for climate-resilient infrastructure and data collection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 22, 2025

H 971: An Act establishing a pilot program for nature-based solutions to climate change

By Representatives Hunt of Boston and Garballey of Arlington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 971) of Daniel J. Hunt, Sean Garballey and others for legislation to establish a climate change superfund and promoting polluter responsibility. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes pilot program for nature-based climate solutions and polluter responsibility, directly advancing environmental protection and climate action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Hazardous Materials

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 18, 2025

S 558: An Act establishing a pilot program for nature-based solutions to climate change

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 558) of Brendan P. Crighton and Hadley Luddy for legislation to promote nature-based approaches for resiliency and climate change adaptation throughout the Commonwealth. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes pilot program for nature-based climate solutions, directly promoting environmental resiliency and adaptation per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 18, 2025

S 572: An Act establishing sustainable and equitable funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 572) of Sal N. DiDomenico, James B. Eldridge and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to establish sustainable and equitable funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes dedicated funding for climate adaptation/mitigation, directly allocating state budget resources to essential environmental programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly establishes funding for climate change adaptation/mitigation, directly advancing environmental protection through financial support for climate efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 31, 2025

S 60: An Act to address the impact of climate change on farms and fisheries

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 60) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to address the impact of climate change on farms and fisheries. Agriculture.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly addresses climate change impacts on farms/fisheries, aligning with environmental protection goals through targeted legislative action.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 26, 2026

H 1014: An Act establishing a climate change superfund

By Representatives Owens of Watertown and Lewis of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1014) of Steven Owens, Danillo A. Sena and others for legislation to finance climate adaptation projects. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes a superfund to finance climate adaptation projects, directly allocating state budget resources to fund essential environmental programs.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds climate adaptation projects under Environment committee, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and climate resilience goals.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes climate change superfund to finance adaptation projects under Environment and Natural Resources, directly advancing environmental protection funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Hazardous Materials

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 17, 2025

S 588: An Act establishing a climate change superfund

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 588) of James B. Eldridge, Steven Owens, Mike Connolly, Patricia D. Jehlen and other members of the General Court for legislation to create a Climate Adaptation Superfund. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Climate Adaptation Superfund to fund environmental protection and climate resilience measures under Environment and Natural Resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Hazardous Materials

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