Massachusetts Bills

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3508: An Act to study gasoline-focused sales-below-cost

HD 1314 creates a special commission to study Massachusetts' gasoline sales-below-cost (SBC) laws, which currently prevent gas stations from selling fuel below cost. The commission will analyze how these laws affect gasoline prices, wholesale costs, and competition using data and comparisons with states without SBC laws. It will examine potential consumer savings and recommend whether to keep, modify, or eliminate the current SBC laws. The study, focused solely on gathering data and making recommendations, does not change existing law and will report findings to legislative committees within one year. This bill directly affects gas station operators and consumers by evaluating a policy that influences fuel pricing.

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3489: An Act authorizing borrowing by cities and towns at zero percent from the Commonwealth for green energy sources

This bill allows cities and towns to borrow funds from the Commonwealth at 0% interest to study or develop green energy sources within their communities. It directly affects municipal governments seeking to invest in renewable energy projects without accruing interest costs. The key provision creates a new 0% loan program specifically for green energy initiatives, modifying existing law to authorize this borrowing mechanism.

Topics ✓ Energy

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3580: An Act creating pathways toward net-zero neighborhoods

HD 2598 creates pathways toward net-zero neighborhoods by defining "non-emitting thermal energy" (heating/cooling from sources without greenhouse gas emissions) and requiring gas companies to transition customers to such alternatives when safe, reliable, and affordable options are available. It mandates that new or renovated single- to three-family homes must install cooling systems capable of also providing heating, integrated into thermostat-controlled systems that operate for heat when cost-effective. These requirements will directly affect homeowners, gas utility companies, and builders by accelerating the shift from fossil fuel-based heating toward cleaner energy systems. The bill updates building codes by 2027 to incorporate these dual-function cooling/heating standards for residential properties.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 4052: An Act sparking the construction of 21st century buildings

The bill text provided is a draft notice stating "DRAFT BEING WORKED ON BY HOUSE COUNSEL" with no substantive content or policy details. There is no description of the bill's provisions, target beneficiaries, or mechanisms for implementation. Without specific language or policy changes outlined in the draft, a factual summary cannot be created. The notice indicates the bill is still in development and not yet finalized.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3539: An Act relative to a tactical transition to affordable, clean thermal energy

This bill requires Massachusetts gas utilities to prioritize non-gas, clean energy alternatives (like electrified heating) over new gas infrastructure. It mandates that gas companies demonstrate all viable non-gas options were considered before expanding gas systems and prohibits rate recovery for gas infrastructure replacements after 2035. Utilities must file 5-year "tactical transition plans" detailing gas pipeline retirements, clean energy installations, and cost savings from avoiding gas projects. The law also bans hydrogen injection into residential gas systems (except for specific industrial uses) and requires cross-subsidization between gas and clean energy systems. These changes directly affect gas utilities, their customers, and building owners transitioning from gas heating.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3951: An Act addressing the contradictory terms of 225 CMR 24.03

This bill (HD 4050) clarifies conflicting rules in 225 CMR 24.03 regarding Massachusetts' municipal fossil fuel-free building demonstration project. It directly affects municipalities participating in or seeking to join this project under Chapter 179, Section 84. The bill overrides prior contradictory rules by stating municipalities that withdrew local approval for the project cannot be considered "prioritized communities" for future participation. Additionally, it allows municipalities that initially received local approval and submitted a home rule petition to the General Court to join the project upon request by their chief executive officer. The Department of Energy Resources is responsible for implementing these changes.

Topics ✓ Energy

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 4036: 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 ✓ Environment

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3541: An Act for greenhouse gas measuring and accounting truth

HD 3057 requires Massachusetts to revise how it measures and reports greenhouse gas emissions. It mandates that the state's emissions inventory use 20-year timeframes for short-lived gases (like methane) and 100-year timeframes for long-lived gases (like CO2), applying updated methods retroactively to 1990. The bill also requires the state environmental department to conduct independent, ongoing monitoring of emissions using direct measurements and publicly share the data for comparison with annual reports. This directly affects the state's environmental agency, which must now publish detailed, science-based emissions data meeting these new standards.

Topics ✓ Energy

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3528: An Act encouraging advanced leak repair technology and renewable thermal energy infrastructure

This bill amends a 2016 law to ensure utilities can fully recover costs for two specific investments: advanced leak repair technology and utility-scale renewable thermal energy infrastructure. It requires the Department of Public Utilities to allow these expenses to be recovered as part of a cost-effective plan, without reducing the amount recoverable for eligible pipe replacement projects. The change directly affects utility companies that deploy these technologies, making it financially feasible for them to adopt cleaner infrastructure. The key mechanism removes a prior limitation that could have reduced cost recovery for these specific renewable and efficiency measures.

Topics ✓ Energy

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3488: An Act relative to tax incentives for building to NetZero Standards

This bill (HD 1855) requires Massachusetts' Department of Energy Resources to analyze the cost impacts of energy regulations on housing affordability. Specifically, it directs the department to assess: (1) the added cost for builders under each regulation compared to no regulation, (2) the total cost burden on housing production, and (3) existing programs that might offset these costs to keep housing prices stable. The department must report these findings to legislative committees by December 31, 2026. The bill does not create new tax incentives or change regulations - it only mandates a study to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3564: An Act relative to infrastructure replacement projects

HD 2646, titled "An Act relative to infrastructure replacement projects," is currently a draft under development by House Counsel. The provided context indicates it is not yet finalized, with no substantive provisions or policy details available in the document. As a draft, the bill's specific mechanisms, affected parties, or concrete changes cannot be summarized at this time. A complete summary requires access to the finalized bill text.

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3571: Resolve establishing a commission to consider the inclusion of nuclear energy in Massachusetts' future energy planning

HD 1623 creates a 15-member commission to study whether Massachusetts should include nuclear power in its future energy planning. The commission will examine nuclear power's benefits, challenges, economics, and environmental impact compared to other energy sources, including the costs of excluding it. It must submit findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2026. This bill establishes a study process only; it does not change energy policy or mandate any specific action.

Bill results