Environment

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 5217: An Act restricting the use of rodenticides in the environment

This bill restricts the use of anticoagulant rodenticides, which are blood-thinning pesticides, by limiting their registration and allowing emergency use only under strict conditions. It directly affects pest control professionals, public health officials, and property owners who manage rodent infestations. The key provisions ban the registration of these chemicals except for emergencies, require their use to be limited to 14 days in a single location, mandate non-chemical pest control methods, and require detailed reporting to the state department. Additionally, the bill establishes annual public reporting on where and how these pesticides were used during emergency situations. The restrictions will take effect on January 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill restricts harmful rodenticides to protect environment and public health, reducing chemical pollution and promoting non-chemical pest control methods.90% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 5218: An Act relative to the blue economy

This bill creates three new grant programs in Massachusetts to support the blue economy, which focuses on sustainable ocean and marine industry practices. The first program provides funding to small businesses transitioning to circular economy models that keep materials in use longer, prioritizing minority-owned, women-owned, and environmental justice community businesses. The second program offers grants to nonprofits, academic institutions, and businesses for research and technology development that improves ocean health, with priority given to projects benefiting marine species, coastal communities, and equity. The third program establishes a fund within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support high schools in developing blue-STEAM workforce training and job placement programs, with funding prioritized for schools in environmental justice communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates grant programs for sustainable ocean practices, circular economy models, and environmental justice, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Environmental Justice Recycling

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 26, 2026

H 5148: An Act preventing the discharge of radioactive materials

H 5148 requires Massachusetts' Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to study the environmental and economic impacts of discharging wastewater from nuclear power plant spent fuel pools - including methods that speed up evaporation of radioactive materials like tritium. The study must assess effects on industries like fishing, tourism, and restaurants, monitor pollution levels, and recommend ways to reduce harm. The DEP must submit a report with findings and proposed standards to relevant legislative committees by December 2026. This bill directly affects nuclear power plant operations and state agencies, but does not ban discharges or create new regulations itself.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates DEP study to reduce harm from radioactive discharges, monitor pollution, and recommend protective standards, directly advancing environmental protection.92% confidence

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passed both · Massachusetts · House Jul 16, 2026

H 5175: An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power and economic competitiveness

This bill requires Massachusetts utilities to create a public online dashboard showing real-time breakdowns of residential utility bills, including clean energy program benefits and costs. It mandates that at least 70% of certain clean energy compliance payments must be returned to ratepayers as annual bill credits within 90 days. The dashboard will display historical rate components, program benefits (like reduced emissions and system reliability), and utility cost recovery mechanisms. These changes directly affect residential electricity and gas customers by increasing bill transparency and providing direct financial returns for clean energy investments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates returning 70% of clean energy compliance payments to ratepayers as bill credits, providing direct financial relief to residential consumers and promoting fiscal responsibility in utility billing.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 70% return of clean energy compliance payments as bill credits and requires transparency on clean energy benefits, directly advancing renewable energy affordability and consumer protection.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates clean energy program benefits including reduced emissions to be displayed, returns 70% of compliance payments as bill credits for clean power adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 5139: An Act establishing a review process of guidelines for managing recreational use of beaches to protect piping plovers, terns, and their habitats in Massachusetts

By Representative Sweezey of Duxbury, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kenneth P. Sweezey for legislation to establish a review process of guidelines for managing recreational use of beaches to protect piping plovers, terns and their habitats. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes review process to protect piping plover and tern habitats, directly advancing conservation under Environment and Natural Resources.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 16, 2026

H 5140: An Act creating parity among Massachusetts beaches

By Representative Sweezey of Duxbury, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kenneth P. Sweezey relative to the Massachusetts Habitat Conservation Plan. Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill relates to Massachusetts Habitat Conservation Plan under Environment & Natural Resources, indicating conservation-focused intent per summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 7, 2026

H 5005: An Act to protect water and nature

H 5005 creates the "Nature for All Fund" to support natural resource conservation, funded by 50% of tax revenue from sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and golf courses (after deducting existing tax transfers). The fund will finance projects like protecting drinking water sources, restoring biodiversity, expanding parks in underserved neighborhoods, and preserving lands of indigenous cultural significance. A 15-member board, including public representatives from underserved communities and conservation experts, will oversee spending and ensure alignment with environmental justice principles. Annual reports will track how much funding supports conservation in areas designated as environmental justice populations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 50% of existing tax revenue from specific industries to fund conservation projects, advancing fiscal management for environmental programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Nature for All Fund to finance water protection, biodiversity restoration, and indigenous land preservation - directly advances environmental conservation through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Conservation Drinking Water Parks & Recreation

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 5076: An Act relative to reducing the use of toxic pesticides in the town of Eastham

By Representative Luddy of Orleans and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5076) of Hadley Luddy (by vote of the town) relative to reducing the use of toxic pesticides in the town of Eastham. Environment and Natural Resources. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly aims to reduce toxic pesticides, directly protecting environment from pollution and health risks per its title and summary.95% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 26, 2026

H 5151: An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power and economic competitiveness

This bill creates a public dashboard showing how residential energy bills are calculated, including detailed breakdowns of charges from gas and electric companies and explanations of each bill component. It requires energy companies to submit quarterly reports on rates, customer data, and clean energy program costs, and mandates the dashboard include analysis of benefits like reduced emissions, system reliability, and avoided energy costs. The bill also requires utilities to return 70% of certain clean energy payments directly to ratepayers through annual bill credits. These changes apply to Massachusetts residential electricity and gas customers and affect all energy companies operating in the state.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires clean energy program cost reporting and emissions analysis, promoting transparency and clean power adoption per bill's focus on reduced emissions and clean power benefits.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates dashboard analysis of reduced emissions and clean energy program costs, directly linking energy transparency to environmental benefits like emission reductions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 15, 2026

S 2933: An Act authorizing the town of Billerica to ban second generation anticoagulant rodenticides within the town

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2933) of Cindy F. Friedman and Marc T. Lombardo (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Billerica to ban second generation anticoagulant rodenticides within the town. Environment and Natural Resources. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill bans second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, reducing environmental contamination and protecting wildlife from harmful pollutants, aligning with environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

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