Environment (Coastal & Flood Protection)

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jun 10, 2026

H 5490: Amendment H.5490

This bill assigns responsibility for maintaining and repairing flood control structures in the Town Line and Linden brooks to the Department of Conservation and Recreation, while the Massachusetts Department of Transportation retains control of the Cutler bridge and its specific infrastructure. Under the new rules, the Department of Conservation and Recreation must inspect, repair, and fund these water control assets at least twice a year and report findings to local city officials in Malden, Revere, and Everett. The legislation also clarifies definitions for terms like "repair" and "reconstruction" to ensure work does not disrupt operations for more than 30 days or replace over 50 percent of an existing structure. Additionally, the bill allows officials from the three affected cities to observe maintenance activities and requires the Department of Transportation to permit access to the bridge for necessary inspections.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates inspection and repair of flood control structures, protecting natural resources and reducing pollution risk.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 5218: An Act relative to the blue economy

This bill creates three new grant programs in Massachusetts to support the blue economy, which focuses on sustainable ocean and marine industry practices. The first program provides funding to small businesses transitioning to circular economy models that keep materials in use longer, prioritizing minority-owned, women-owned, and environmental justice community businesses. The second program offers grants to nonprofits, academic institutions, and businesses for research and technology development that improves ocean health, with priority given to projects benefiting marine species, coastal communities, and equity. The third program establishes a fund within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support high schools in developing blue-STEAM workforce training and job placement programs, with funding prioritized for schools in environmental justice communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates grant programs for sustainable ocean practices, circular economy models, and environmental justice, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Environmental Justice Recycling

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 1050: An Act establishing a Massachusetts flood risk protection program

By Representatives Shand of Newburyport and Armini of Marblehead, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1050) of Dawne Shand and Jennifer Balinsky Armini for legislation to assess the current and future flood risk to property statewide. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes flood risk protection program under Environment committee, addressing climate-related hazards and property protection through risk assessment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 638: Resolve establishing a coastal waters wastewater financing commission

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 638) of Mark C. Montigny, Christopher M. Markey and Mark D. Sylvia that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to establish a coastal waters wastewater financing commission. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes commission to study coastal wastewater financing under Environment subject, directly supporting pollution control and conservation of coastal waters.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 3, 2025

S 659: An Act creating a special commission to scope a state grant or low interest loan program for properties prone to flooding

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 659) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to establish a special commission to scope a state grant or low interest loan program for properties prone to flooding. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes commission for flood-prone properties under 'Environment and Natural Resources' subject, aligning with climate resilience and property conservation efforts related to environmental protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 26, 2026

H 980: An Act establishing a flood mitigation and preparedness program

By Representative Kearney of Scituate, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 980) of Patrick Joseph Kearney for legislation to establish a flood mitigation and preparedness program. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill established under Environment and Natural Resources to address flood impacts, aligning with climate adaptation and natural resource protection efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 236: An Act establishing a flood mitigation and preparedness program

This bill establishes a dedicated Flood Mitigation and Preparedness Fund to provide grants and loans to Massachusetts communities and property owners. It directly affects communities participating in the federal flood insurance program and property owners with repeated flood damage (classified as "Severe Repetitive Losses" or "Repetitive Losses" under the National Flood Insurance Program), as well as vulnerable populations identified in state climate plans. Key provisions allow funding for specific flood mitigation projects like elevating buildings, installing flood vents, or wet/dry floodproofing, with requirements that projects reduce flood insurance premiums and comply with building codes. Communities must have approved hazard mitigation plans to access funds, and all projects require local code official review and final inspection documentation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes flood mitigation fund addressing climate-related risks per state climate plans, protecting vulnerable communities from climate impacts as part of environmental resilience efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 79: An Act creating a special commission to scope a state grant or low interest loan program for properties prone to flooding

This bill creates a special commission to design a state program offering grants or low-interest loans for property owners in flood-prone areas of Massachusetts. The commission will determine program details like funding sources, eligible expenses (e.g., structural elevation or property acquisition), applicant qualifications, and cost-benefit analysis criteria. It must consider state climate adaptation plans and resiliency strategies while including diverse expertise (environmental, building, insurance, and government representatives). The commission must submit its recommendations to the legislature by December 2026, but the bill itself does not implement the program - only authorizes its design.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates commission to consider climate adaptation plans in flood program, directly supporting environmental resilience and protection efforts for flood-prone areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Mar 13, 2025

HD 3411: An Act pertaining to regional resilience and flood protection entities

By Representative Sangiolo of Newton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 9) of Amy Mah Sangiolo and others for legislation to establish the Massachusetts Flood Management and Mitigation Authority to coordinate flood management and mitigation efforts. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Massachusetts Flood Management Authority to coordinate flood mitigation under Environment/Natural Resources, directly advancing environmental resilience and protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 117: An Act promoting climate safe buildings

SD 117 establishes a State Board of Building Regulations and Standards to develop a statewide building code that requires climate resilience and energy efficiency in new construction. The bill mandates that building standards address climate risks like flooding, extreme weather, and sea-level rise using science-based floodplain maps and historical data. Local towns and cities can adopt "expanded floodplain maps" (beyond federal FEMA maps) to determine flood risks and enforce flood-resistant building requirements. The bill also directs the board to eliminate outdated regulations that increase construction costs without improving climate resilience or public safety.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy efficiency in building codes, directly advancing energy conservation standards for new construction.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate-resilient, energy-efficient building standards using science-based climate data, directly advancing environmental protection against climate risks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Coastal & Flood Protection

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