Environment (Air Quality)

passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 3, 2025

H 997: An Act improving air quality in airport environmental justice communities

By Representative Madaro of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 997) of Adrian C. Madaro and William F. MacGregor for legislation to require the Massachusetts Port Authority to conduct an environmental risk assessment of the health impacts of the General Lawrence Logan Airport in the East Boston section of the city of Boston and the town of Winthrop. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates environmental risk assessment for airport air quality impacts, directly addressing pollution control and health protections in environmental justice communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Environmental Justice

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1944: An Act promoting resilience against the heat-related impacts of climate change

HD 1944 creates a low-income cooling assistance program to help vulnerable residents - such as seniors, young children, and people with certain health conditions - pay for cooling costs or receive energy-efficient appliances. It also prevents utility shutoffs for residential cooling during extreme heat (95°F+ heat index) or poor air quality (AQI 151+). The bill mandates a study on updating building temperature standards and establishes an extreme heat task force to develop emergency protocols and coordinate cooling strategies across state agencies. These provisions directly affect low-income households, utility providers, and public health systems in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes energy-efficient appliances for low-income residents and prevents utility shutoffs during extreme heat, advancing energy efficiency and consumer protection in energy infrastructure.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly addresses climate change impacts through heat resilience programs, prevents utility shutoffs during extreme heat (climate-related), and mandates a heat task force - clearly advancing environmental protection efforts.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides cooling assistance for vulnerable residents and prevents utility shutoffs during extreme heat, supporting housing stability for low-income households.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2036: An Act protecting drinking water and public health from sand mining pollution

HD 2036 creates a 6-member advisory panel to investigate sand mining's impacts on public health and the environment. The panel includes experts in GIS, ecology, community advocacy, hydrology, and Indigenous environmental justice, appointed by state leaders and the Governor. It will study sand mining effects on drinking water, Environmental Justice communities, climate resilience, and air pollution (including silica exposure) over two years. The panel's findings will inform potential regulatory changes to mining licensing laws under Chapter 21B, Section 5, aimed at protecting water, health, and the environment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly creates panel to study sand mining pollution's impact on drinking water/environment, aiming to inform protective regulations per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Drinking Water Environmental Justice

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1924: An Act to ensure cleaner air for communities overburdened by outdoor air pollution

This bill requires Massachusetts to address air pollution in communities disproportionately affected by outdoor air pollution. It creates a technical advisory committee to identify pollution "hotspots" near highways, industrial areas, and transportation hubs, and mandates new air monitoring for pollutants like black carbon and ultrafine particles. By 2030, the state must reduce pollution levels in these hotspots by 50% compared to 2026 baselines, with a 75% reduction target by 2035. The bill also requires high-efficiency air filtration systems in specific buildings within 200 meters of pollution sources - including public housing, schools, colleges, and large commercial buildings - to improve indoor air quality for residents and workers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates 50% pollution reduction by 2030 in overburdened communities, creates monitoring for harmful pollutants, and establishes binding targets for air quality improvement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Environmental Justice

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 4108: An Act improving air quality in airport environmental justice communities

By Representative Madaro of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 997) of Adrian C. Madaro and William F. MacGregor for legislation to require the Massachusetts Port Authority to conduct an environmental risk assessment of the health impacts of the General Lawrence Logan Airport in the East Boston section of the city of Boston and the town of Winthrop. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental risk assessment for airport air quality impacts in environmental justice communities, directly addressing pollution control and health protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Environmental Justice

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 9, 2025

H 4590: An Act to improve indoor air quality for highly-impacted communities

H 4590 creates a task force to address indoor air pollution in schools, care facilities, housing, and other community buildings. The task force, including health, environmental, and community experts, must develop recommendations for monitoring and fixing air quality issues within one year, with public input required before finalizing. It also mandates the Department of Public Health to create regulations by July 2027 for testing ultrafine particles and black carbon in indoor air, based on current health science. These regulations will require standard testing procedures and public reporting for existing and new buildings. The bill directly affects residents and staff in the specified facilities by establishing new air quality standards and oversight.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates regulations for testing indoor pollutants (ultrafine particles, black carbon) to improve air quality in vulnerable communities, directly reducing pollution and strengthening environmental protections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates public health department to regulate indoor air quality in care facilities/schools, directly improving public health outcomes as defined in healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 20, 2025

S 351: 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 EducationCreates task force to review school air quality, improving school infrastructure and student health in public schools, directly supporting educational environment.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates task force to review indoor air quality in schools, addressing pollution control within environmental protection framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2787: An Act to improve indoor air quality for highly-impacted communities

This bill creates a task force to develop standards for identifying and fixing indoor air pollution and mold in schools, nursing homes, public housing, childcare centers, and other residential buildings. The task force, including health and environmental officials plus community representatives, must submit recommendations within one year, including public comment periods. It also requires the Department of Public Health to create new regulations by December 2026 for monitoring ultrafine particles and black carbon in indoor air, based on current health science. These rules will apply to both existing and new buildings, directly affecting residents and staff in the specified facilities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates task force and regulations to address indoor air pollution/mold in residential buildings, directly reducing environmental hazards per pollution control indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses public health by targeting indoor air pollution in high-risk facilities (nursing homes, schools), reducing respiratory health risks through new regulations and task force standards.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requires indoor air quality standards in residential buildings including public housing, improving living conditions and tenant health in affordable housing stock.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Public Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2454: An Act to reduce Emissions

This bill amends Massachusetts law to incentivize cleaner biomass energy production. It requires the state department to grant alternative energy credits to facilities using eligible biomass technology that also install emissions controls (like electrostatic precipitators). These credits apply specifically to 1,706,000 British thermal units (BTUs) of net useful thermal energy produced. The policy directly affects biomass energy facilities seeking to improve air quality through mandated pollution controls.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncentivizes cleaner biomass energy via alternative credits for emissions controls, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and emissions reduction per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates emissions controls for biomass facilities and incentivizes cleaner energy to reduce pollution and improve air quality, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 476: An Act relative to protecting air quality from carbon-emitting energy generators

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1599) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to protect air quality from carbon-emitting energy generators. Public Health.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTargets carbon-emitting energy generators to protect air quality, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing clean energy transition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly targets carbon-emitting generators to protect air quality, directly advancing environmental protection through emissions reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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