Rep. Kristin Kassner

Maddy summaryH 5148 requires Massachusetts' Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to study the environmental and economic impacts of discharging wastewater from nuclear power plant spent fuel pools - including methods that speed up evaporation of radioactive materials like tritium. The study must assess effects on industries like fishing, tourism, and restaurants, monitor pollution levels, and recommend ways to reduce harm. The DEP must submit a report with findings and proposed standards to relevant legislative committees by December 2026. This bill directly affects nuclear power plant operations and state agencies, but does not ban discharges or create new regulations itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits producers from making deceptive claims about the recyclability or compostability of products and packaging sold in the state. It defines recyclable items as those meeting specific criteria (collected/processed in at least 60% of state recycling programs, containing no PFAS, and designed without recyclability-hindering additives) and compostable items as those meeting recognized standards (like ASTM D6400) or made of untreated wood without plastic. Producers must label compostable products with a third-party certified logo, the word "compostable," and green/beige/brown colors, while banning the use of the recycling symbol (chasing arrows) on compostable packaging. The requirements take effect one year after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHD 1585 requires restaurants and third-party food delivery platforms in Massachusetts to provide single-use food serviceware (like utensils, napkins, or condiment packets) only upon a customer's specific request, not automatically. Food service providers may charge a $0.75 fee per transaction for these items, keeping 100% of the fee, while delivery platforms must let customers select single-use items via their app. The bill directly affects restaurants, delivery services, and consumers by shifting the default from single-use packaging to reusable options, aiming to reduce waste from unrecyclable, health-hazardous packaging. It defines key terms like "single-use" and specifies exceptions for drive-throughs and airport vendors but mandates the opt-in system for all other takeout and delivery orders.

Maddy summaryHD 2168 prohibits food establishments (like restaurants and grocery stores) and retail businesses (including convenience stores and food trucks) in Massachusetts from using or selling disposable food service items made from black plastic - defined as any plastic with resin codes #1-#7 - starting one year after the bill passes. This includes containers, trays, and cartons for food, affecting businesses that serve or sell prepared food. Exemptions cover personal use of black plastic items purchased outside Massachusetts, unaltered pre-packaged food from outside Massachusetts, and temporary exemptions for hardship or inventory clearance. Violations may result in fines starting at $50 for a second offense, with up to $300 per day for ongoing noncompliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landfill disposal of electric/hybrid vehicle batteries when they reach end-of-life and requires responsible management. It assigns specific responsibilities to battery providers (the original sellers/manufacturers), secondary handlers (entities handling used batteries), and specialized recyclers. All parties must follow a battery management hierarchy prioritizing reuse, repair, or repurposing before recycling, and report annually on battery volumes and material recovery rates to the Environmental Protection Department. The law defines key terms like "end-of-life" and "specialized battery recycler" to clarify requirements for handling these batteries.

Maddy summaryHD 2755 creates a statewide recycling program for boat shrink-wrap (the plastic used to winterize boats). It requires marinas, boatyards, yacht clubs, and municipal recycling centers to collect and recycle shrink-wrap scraps free of non-shrink-wrap materials like straps or zippers. The program is funded through a 10% surcharge on boat registration, title, and permit fees, which goes into the Boat Shrink-Wrap Recycling Fund administered by the environmental protection department. Municipal centers receiving funding must establish collection sites for this material.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local health boards or permitting authorities to annually report details (location, use, permit year) of wells under 20,000 gallons per day to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP will use this data to estimate water withdrawals from these wells at the local basin level and factor it into future water permit decisions. During droughts, local authorities must enforce water conservation measures for these wells based on current restrictions or areas with depleted water flow. It also updates the withdrawal threshold for permit requirements from 20,000 gallons per day.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises Massachusetts water management rules to better protect water supplies. It replaces the definition of "safe yield" (the maximum sustainable water withdrawal) to explicitly consider drought risk and natural replenishment. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must now recalculate safe yield for each water basin every decade, using summer supply data and reservoir storage, and calculate it at the sub-basin level for permit decisions using U.S. Geological Survey stream flow data. These changes directly affect the DEP's water permit process and anyone seeking to withdraw water from Massachusetts sources.

Maddy summaryThis bill appears to be a draft (as noted in the bill text) with no substantive provisions provided. The title suggests it aims to prevent radioactive material discharges, but the context lacks specific details about its mechanisms, affected parties, or policy changes. Without completed text or summary information, a factual description of its provisions cannot be provided. As a draft under development, it does not yet contain concrete legislative language for analysis.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state grant and loan program to help small businesses and municipalities switch from gas-powered to electric landscape equipment. Eligible entities must replace gas equipment with electric models to receive funds, which cover purchasing new equipment, staff training, and transition costs. Loans carry 0% interest, and a dedicated trust fund will manage the program's funding, with annual reports to legislative committees. The program directly affects local businesses and municipal operations that maintain public or private green spaces.