This bill creates a state-funded "Vacant Lots to Urban Agriculture Fund" managed by the Department of Agricultural Resources to convert vacant urban properties into farms and community gardens. The fund supports land acquisition, infrastructure development, and startup costs for projects prioritizing environmental justice communities - areas defined by Chapter 30 - to boost food security, economic development, and climate-resilient farming. Grants will cover collaborative planning, land purchases, renovations, and pilot programs in underserved neighborhoods. The department must report annually on grant recipients, funding amounts, and projects serving environmental justice areas.
This bill requires Massachusetts to investigate sewage sludge management due to PFAS contamination found in all wastewater treatment plants. The Department of Environmental Protection must study current disposal methods, costs, and locations (like landfills or incinerators), then create a public master plan with goals for reducing sludge toxicity and volume. The plan will prioritize funding and technical help for wastewater facilities, especially in underserved communities, and include new grant programs to support cleaner treatment technologies. Farmers are granted immunity from lawsuits over PFAS in soil/products from standard practices, unless they produced or spread PFAS-containing materials like biosolids. The bill mandates regular public updates and plan revisions every 10 years to address evolving science and infrastructure needs.
By Representatives Cataldo of Concord and Elliott of Lowell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4972) of Simon Cataldo and Rodney M. Elliott (by vote of the town) that the town of Chelmsford be authorized to ban second generation anticoagulant rodenticides within said town. Environment and Natural Resources. [Local Approval Received.]
By Representative Zlotnik of Gardner, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jonathan D. Zlotnik relative to chemical recycling. Environment and Natural Resources.
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2896) of Bruce E. Tarr (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Manchester-by-the-Sea to adopt a bylaw restricting the use of Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs). Environment and Natural Resources. [Local approval received]
Report of the Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience (pursuant to Section 73 of Chapter 7C of the General Laws) submitting its Embodied Carbon Reduction Plan report, by the Embodied Carbon Intergovernmental Coordinating Council
Senate, December 31, 2025 -- The committee on Agriculture and Fisheries to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 56) of Joanne M. Comerford, Sal N. DiDomenico, Jason M. Lewis, Michael O. Moore and others for legislation to protect our soil and farms from PFAS contamination, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2802).
This bill creates a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to address contamination in Massachusetts drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. It directly affects communities with PFAS pollution, including vulnerable environmental justice areas, private well owners, and public water systems. The fund provides grants for PFAS treatment, remediation, and outreach programs, prioritizing communities with limited resources. Money comes from settlements with PFAS manufacturers, other grants, and interest, with strict rules requiring repayment if responsible parties are later identified.
By Representative Gordon of Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4917) of Kenneth I. Gordon (by vote of the town) relative to banning the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in the town of Bedford. Environment and Natural Resources. [Local Approval Received.]
By Mr. Moore and Mr. Muradian of Grafton, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2877) of Michael O. Moore and David K. Muradian, Jr. (by vote of the town) for legislation to prohibit or restrict the application of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. Environment and Natural Resources. [Local Approval Received.]
