Environment (Air Quality)

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1608: An Act relative to air monitoring stations

This bill requires at least one Air Monitoring Station within one mile of every working natural gas compressor station to collect air quality data and verify compliance with federal standards. The operating energy corporation must pay for the station's construction and maintenance through building permits paid to the state Department of Environmental Protection. The state Department of Environmental Protection will staff personnel to collect data weekly, with varying morning and evening collection times. This directly affects natural gas compressor station operators and the state's environmental monitoring system.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires air monitoring near natural gas facilities to verify compliance with federal standards, strengthening pollution control measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2890: An Act relative to improving asthma in schools

HD 2890 requires Massachusetts public schools with pediatric asthma rates of 20% or higher (or in the highest quartile) to develop indoor air quality management plans by September 1, 2024. These plans must include using HEPA vacuums in cleaning contracts, adopting environmentally preferable cleaning products meeting EPA or third-party standards (like Safer Choice or GreenSeal), and forming environmental health committees with school staff, nurses, parents, and community partners. Schools must report purchased products to the Department of Public Health and train staff on using these products safely. The bill directly affects public schools (including charter schools) in high-asthma communities, aiming to reduce indoor air pollutants that trigger asthma attacks.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to develop indoor air quality plans with HEPA vacuums and eco-friendly products, directly enhancing school infrastructure for student health and learning environments.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires EPA-certified environmentally preferable cleaning products and HEPA vacuums to reduce indoor air pollutants, directly advancing environmental protection in schools.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates asthma-reducing indoor air quality measures in schools with high pediatric asthma rates, directly advancing public health programs to improve respiratory health outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Children's Health Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2588: An Act to improve indoor air quality

By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1516) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. for legislation to promote regulations to improve indoor air quality. Public Health.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes regulations to improve indoor air quality, directly addressing pollution control within environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 4035: An Act authorizing the city of Somerville to establish a net zero emissions standard for new constructed buildings and major renovation projects

By Representative Barber of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4035) of Christine P. Barber, Erika Uyterhoeven and Mike Connolly (with the approval of the mayor and city council) that the city of Somerville be authorized to establish a net zero emissions standard for zoning of new constructed buildings and major renovation projects. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAuthorizes Somerville to set net zero emissions standards for buildings, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing carbon emissions through mandatory efficiency measures.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes net zero emissions standard for buildings, directly reducing carbon output and advancing climate goals per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 767: An Act promoting resilience against the heat-related impacts of climate change

This bill establishes a state-funded program to provide cooling assistance to low-income households with vulnerable members, including seniors, young children, and people with certain health conditions. It requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to administer the program, prioritizing households at highest risk, and prohibits utility shutoffs for cooling during extreme heat (95°F+ heat index) or poor air quality. The bill also mandates a study on housing temperature standards and creates an extreme heat task force to develop emergency response plans and coordinate cooling solutions across state agencies. These provisions directly affect low-income residents in Massachusetts facing heat-related health risks, with program eligibility tied to income limits (60% of state median income).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for cooling assistance program targeting vulnerable households, directly funding a public service through state budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProhibits utility shutoffs for cooling during extreme heat, protecting vulnerable consumers in the energy utility sector.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly addresses climate change impacts through heat resilience program, prioritizing vulnerable populations and prohibiting utility shutoffs during extreme heat events, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds cooling assistance for low-income housing residents via Department of Housing, prohibits utility shutoffs during heat events, directly advancing housing affordability and tenant protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change Community Development Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1351: An Act to remove woody biomass from the greenhouse gas emissions standard for municipal lighting plants

This bill removes woody biomass (such as wood chips or forest residues) from the greenhouse gas emissions calculation standard for municipal lighting plants. It directly affects local government-owned power facilities that use woody biomass as fuel. The change is implemented by deleting sections 34 and 112 from Chapter 8 of the General Laws. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRemoves woody biomass from emissions standards, treating it as carbon-neutral and facilitating renewable energy use in municipal plants per bill's explicit purpose.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves woody biomass from emissions standards, weakening regulatory oversight of municipal plant emissions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change Forestry

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2892: An Act to establish a division of indoor environments within the Department of Public Health

HD 2892 creates a new Division of Indoor Environments within the Department of Public Health's Center for Environmental Health. The Commissioner must appoint a Director for this division, which will be responsible for administering and enforcing existing indoor air quality laws and regulations. This bill directly affects the Department of Public Health by establishing a dedicated unit to handle indoor air quality oversight, without creating new regulations. The division's role is limited to implementing current legal requirements related to indoor air quality.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates division to enforce existing indoor air quality laws, strengthening pollution control oversight within environmental protection framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2107: An Act to provide green and healthy public colleges and universities and address their deferred maintenance needs

This bill creates a commission to assess and improve the health and energy efficiency of Massachusetts public college and university buildings, directly affecting all 15 public institutions (including UMass, community colleges, and state universities). The commission will evaluate factors like air quality, water safety, energy use, and accessibility, then develop standards and publish findings online. It establishes two funds: one to cover debt service on campus construction (freeing up money for faculty hiring and student support programs) and another to finance renovations and new construction meeting the commission's green and healthy standards. The bill mandates that by 2027, all new academic/administrative buildings must be fully funded by the state, eliminating reliance on institutional debt.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationImproves physical infrastructure of public colleges through health/safety standards, directly supporting higher education facilities per topic description.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates energy efficiency assessments and improvements for public campus buildings, directly advancing energy efficiency standards through commission oversight and dedicated funds.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates energy efficiency standards for public college buildings, reducing emissions and promoting sustainable infrastructure through commission assessments and dedicated funds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Energy Efficiency Air Quality

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 630: An Act relative to air quality in public schools

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 351) of Ryan C. Fattman, Patrick M. O'Connor and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create a task force to review and investigate indoor air quality in public school buildings. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates task force to review indoor air quality in public schools, addressing school infrastructure (a component of education) to improve learning environment.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates task force to review indoor air quality in schools, addressing pollution control within educational facilities, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2074: An Act to improve indoor air quality for highly-impacted communities

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1546) of Adam Gomez, Sal N. DiDomenico, John F. Keenan and Jason M. Lewis for legislation to create a task force to identify, monitor, and remediate indoor air pollution and indoor mold contamination in schools, long term care facilities, correctional facilities, early childhood education facilities, public housing and privately-owned residential buildings. Public Health.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates task force to remediate indoor air pollution and mold in public facilities, directly addressing pollution control under environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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