Environment (Wildlife)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1477: An Act relative to increased protection of wildlife management areas

This bill requires Massachusetts to designate at least 30% of its Wildlife Management Area lands as "Reserves" by January 1, 2030, maintaining this percentage as new lands are acquired. Reserves must be selected based on ecological criteria like old-growth forests, contiguous habitats, wetlands, and carbon storage capacity, and will be managed to preserve natural conditions with minimal human intervention. A new Scientific Advisory Council of eight environmental experts will oversee Reserve designations, submit biennial reports to the governor, and advise on management, while prohibiting new commercial infrastructure like solar farms, pipelines, or cell towers in Reserves (except for limited public facility upgrades with minimal environmental impact). The bill defines Reserves as protected areas for scientific research, habitat conservation, and carbon storage, banning resource extraction except for specific management needs like erosion control or invasive species removal.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 30% of Wildlife Management Areas as protected Reserves using ecological criteria (old-growth forests, wetlands, carbon storage), requiring minimal human intervention and expert oversight for conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 3223: An Act relative to Natural Heritage and Endangered Species administrative fees

By Representative Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3223) of David M. Rogers relative to Natural Heritage and Endangered Species administrative fees. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes administrative fees as revenue source, directly contributing to state budget funding under 'Revenue' designation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates administrative fees for natural heritage and endangered species programs, implying funding for conservation efforts per title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3738: An Act creating special funds for the division of fisheries and wildlife

This bill creates two special funds to support Massachusetts wildlife conservation: the MassWildlife Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Mitigation and Enhancement Fund and the Natural Heritage Mitigation Fund. Both funds, managed by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, will receive money from permits, licenses, grants, settlements, and donations specifically designated for wildlife protection. Funds must be used exclusively for their intended purposes - such as habitat management, research, and mitigating harm to inland fish/wildlife or endangered species - without needing annual legislative approval. Unspent balances carry over year-to-year, and all interest earned stays in the funds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates dedicated funds for wildlife conservation, habitat management, and research under Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, explicitly designating resources for environmental protection purposes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4738: An Act authorizing the town of Provincetown to prohibit use or sale of second generation anti-coagulant rodenticides

This bill (HD 4738) authorizes the town of Provincetown to ban the use and sale of second-generation anti-coagulant rodenticides within its boundaries. It directly affects Provincetown residents, businesses, and local officials by granting the town government the legal authority to implement such a prohibition. The key mechanism is a local authorization allowing the town to enforce restrictions on these specific rodenticides, which are known to persist in the environment and pose risks to non-target wildlife. The bill does not mandate the ban but provides the legal framework for the town to act if it chooses to do so. This is a local regulatory measure, not a statewide law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans persistent rodenticides posing environmental risks to non-target species and ecosystems, directly protecting environmental health per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 1047: An Act requiring nonlead ammunition when taking wildlife

By Representative Sena of Acton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1047) of Danillo A. Sena relative to requiring lead free ammunition when taking wildlife. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires nonlead ammunition to reduce lead pollution in wildlife habitats, protecting ecosystems and aligning with conservation efforts under Environment and Natural Resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 13, 2025

S 619: An Act relative to protecting aquatic and semiaquatic wildlife on beaches

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 619) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to require the department of conservation and recreation to create signage informing the public how to properly act when coming in contact with stranded aquatic wildlife and semiaquatic wildlife. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires signage to protect stranded aquatic wildlife, directly supporting conservation under Environment subject95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1254: An Act relative to the environmental protection of Joint Base Cape Cod

This bill amends Massachusetts Chapter 47 to clarify environmental oversight for Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC), a 22,000-acre military site in Barnstable County. It updates definitions of "Environmental performance standards" (based on a 2001 report) and "JBCC" to reflect its military use and land ownership history. Key provisions create two advisory councils: a community council with town, military, tribal, and water supply representatives, and a science council of experts to advise on water and habitat protection. The bill also updates department names (e.g., "department of fish and game" replacing older terms) and requires coordination between environmental agencies to monitor military activities' impacts. These changes streamline oversight without altering the base's military operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates advisory councils for environmental oversight and updates standards to protect water resources at military site, strengthening regulatory clarity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2778: An Act relative to prohibiting public utility and ratepayer funding of clearcutting forests and woodlands

HD 2778 prohibits public utility and ratepayer funding for large solar projects (500kW or larger) that would clearcut forests or woodlands. It specifically blocks funding for such projects located in priority wildlife habitats, critical environmental areas, or forest land as defined by state law. Exceptions apply to projects on brownfields, landfills, or previously developed land, and building-mounted solar installations. This bill directly affects solar developers planning large-scale projects in sensitive natural areas, changing how utility funding rules apply to these sites.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts public utility and ratepayer funding for specific projects, limiting government spending on large solar developments in environmentally sensitive areas.85% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks funding for large solar projects requiring forest clearcutting, restricting renewable energy development in sensitive areas while allowing exceptions for brownfields and building-mounted solar.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits funding for large solar projects requiring forest clearcutting in protected areas, directly conserving natural resources and protecting wildlife habitats.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation Forestry Wildlife

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 572: An Act relative to protecting aquatic and semiaquatic wildlife on beaches

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 619) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to require the department of conservation and recreation to create signage informing the public how to properly act when coming in contact with stranded aquatic wildlife and semiaquatic wildlife. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires signage for public interaction with stranded aquatic/semiaquatic wildlife, directly protecting species per Environment and Natural Resources subject.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2179: An Act conserving our natural resources

By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 634) of Paul W. Mark for legislation to restrict the use of traps for capturing furbearing mammals. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill restricts traps for furbearing mammals to conserve natural resources, directly aligning with environmental protection and conservation goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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