Massachusetts Bills

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2255: An Act relative to electric ratepayer protections

This bill (SD 1545) prohibits energy suppliers, marketers, or brokers from creating new or renewing existing electricity generation contracts with individual residential customers starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects residential electricity providers and consumers by restricting how residential electricity service can be contracted. Exceptions apply to municipal aggregation programs under Section 134 and specific programs under Section 137. Violations are treated as unfair acts under Chapter 93A, allowing the Attorney General to seek penalties, restitution, or court orders for enforcement.

Topics ✓ Energy

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2282: An Act advancing the clean energy transition

This bill reorganizes the Department of Energy Resources into five specialized divisions to streamline clean energy efforts. It creates dedicated teams for energy efficiency, renewable development, local government coordination, small project siting/permitting, and clean energy procurement. The bill requires the department to publish a 3-year resource plan detailing clean energy needs, procurement schedules, and cost recovery mechanisms for utility companies. It also mandates competitive bidding for clean energy contracts (up to 20 years) to meet state climate goals, with plans reviewed by the Department of Public Utilities. This directly affects state energy agencies, local governments handling small projects, and utility companies managing clean energy contracts.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2565: An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder

Senate, July 24, 2025 -- Text of the Senate Bill facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder (Senate, No. 2565) (being the text of Senate No. 2558, printed as amended)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 652: An Act relative to the Quabbin Watershed Advisory Committee

This bill amends the Quabbin Watershed Advisory Committee membership list by adding the Belchertown Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts as an eligible member organization. It directly affects who can serve on this specific advisory committee, which provides input on watershed management in the Quabbin area. The change is purely procedural, with no new policy or funding provisions.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 25, 2026

H 1069: An Act establishing memorial markers in the towns of Milton and Canton in memory of certain law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty

By Representative Wells of Milton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1069) of Richard G. Wells, Jr., that the Department of Conservation and Recreation erect and maintain memorial markers in the towns of Milton and Canton in memory of certain law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Environment and Natural Resources.

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2281: An Act bringing Mass Save in line with climate mandates

This bill modifies Massachusetts' energy efficiency funding rules to prioritize decarbonization efforts. It removes all references to "gas energy efficiency programs" and "natural gas" from the law, redirecting funding toward projects administered by electric distribution companies and certified municipal aggregators. The changes require all energy efficiency and cooling projects to explicitly include decarbonization goals, aligning programs with state climate mandates. These updates affect how energy efficiency funding is allocated and managed, shifting focus from gas-focused initiatives to broader carbon reduction efforts.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2243: An Act to improve outdoor lighting, conserve energy, and increase dark-sky visibility

This bill requires Massachusetts state and municipal agencies to follow new outdoor lighting standards when using public funds for new permanent fixtures. It mandates fully shielded fixtures for most outdoor lighting (like roadways and parking lots), limits color temperature to 3000K or lower, and requires lighting to use only necessary brightness levels to reduce energy waste and light pollution. The regulations must be established by January 2026, with exemptions for temporary uses, safety needs, historic structures, and certain decorative lighting. These rules directly affect towns, cities, and state agencies managing public lighting projects funded by state or municipal budgets.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2262: An Act relative to solar permitting

SD 2534 simplifies solar and energy storage permitting by requiring local authorities to accept electronic applications and set clear deadlines: incomplete applications must be corrected within 5 business days, and applications are automatically approved after 10 business days if no action is taken. The bill limits inspections to one per system, mandates a completion certificate within 10 business days, and prohibits utilities from demanding extra inspections before system operation. This directly affects homeowners, businesses, and installers seeking solar or energy storage systems, as well as local permitting offices and utility companies. These changes aim to reduce delays and costs in the installation process.

Topics ✓ Energy

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2232: An Act to exempt solar installations on federal military lands from renewable energy production caps

SD 2004 exempts solar energy projects on federal military lands in Massachusetts from renewable energy production caps and net metering limits. It allows electric distribution companies to build, own, and operate solar facilities on these lands without using customer ratepayer funds or needing department approval. This directly affects military installations and utility companies by removing barriers to solar development on federal military property within the state.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2239: An Act prohibiting the use of ratepayer funds for utility lobbying, promotions or perks

This bill prohibits gas and electric companies regulated by the department from charging customers (ratepayers) for specific non-essential expenses. It bans recovery of costs related to promotional advertising (like encouraging service use), political advertising, lobbying, charitable contributions, executive perks (travel, gifts), and certain other activities. Companies must annually report all prohibited expenses to the department and cannot recover the cost of preparing these reports. Violations trigger non-recoverable penalties, refunds to customers, and potential rebates for ratepayers. The bill directly affects regulated utilities and aims to prevent customer funds from subsidizing activities unrelated to core service delivery.

Cynthia Creem (D) · 18 co-sponsors

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2249: An Act relative to a tactical transition to affordable, clean thermal energy

This bill requires Massachusetts gas companies to evaluate non-gas alternatives (like electrification) before expanding or replacing gas infrastructure. It prohibits gas companies from recovering costs for new gas projects unless they prove alternatives were considered and found unfeasible, and mandates a gradual shift in spending away from gas infrastructure replacement toward clean thermal energy projects by 2035. Gas and electric utilities must jointly create 5-year "tactical transition plans" to reduce emissions while maintaining affordability, including retiring gas pipes and installing clean energy systems. The bill also bans hydrogen injection into residential gas systems (except for specific industrial uses) and requires utilities to share costs for transitioning buildings to non-gas thermal energy. These changes directly affect gas utility companies, building owners, and ratepayers through their energy infrastructure and costs.

Topics ✓ Energy

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 25, 2026

S 2612: An Act providing for utility shutoff protections during periods of extreme heat

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2612) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to provide for utility shutoff protections during periods of extreme heat. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Bill results