Rep. Michelle Ciccolo

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts municipalities to impose an annual excise tax on unused railroad or utility corridors that have not been used for their intended purpose for over 10 years. Municipalities can charge $0.10 per linear foot per year on these corridors, with the tax paid by the utility or railroad company to the state treasurer by March 15 each year. The revenue collected is distributed quarterly to the adopting municipality based on the amount of tax generated within its borders. The tax applies only to corridors owned or leased by utilities/railroads that have remained unused for a decade or more, providing a new revenue source for local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the use of certain rodent poisons (like Warfarin and Brodifacoum) to only short-term public health emergencies. It requires licensed pest control professionals to first use non-chemical methods, limits emergency use to 14 days, and mandates detailed reporting on locations, amounts used, and follow-up rodent control plans. The law directly affects pest control applicators and public health agencies managing rodent-related health risks. It also requires annual public reporting of all emergency rodenticide use by the state department. The restrictions take effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHD 1883 prohibits state-regulated gas and electric utilities from charging customers for specific expenses through their utility rates. It bans companies from recovering costs related to political advertising, lobbying, trade association memberships, charitable donations, executive travel, or promotional campaigns that encourage service use. Utilities must submit annual reports detailing these prohibited expenses and face penalties - including customer refunds with interest - if they improperly charge rates. This directly affects utility customers by preventing them from paying for these non-essential corporate activities.

Maddy summaryHD 2924 requires food service providers (like restaurants, grocery stores, and cafeterias) to charge customers a $0.01 fee per transaction for single-use disposable containers when reusable options aren’t used. The fee funds the Clean Environment Fund, which supports waste reduction, recycling, composting, and environmental programs. It exempts food consumed on-premises (e.g., sit-down dining) and pre-packaged items sold by manufacturers. Providers face fines up to $150 for repeated violations of the fee requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires restaurants and food service providers in Massachusetts to offer reusable beverage containers and charge a $0.01 fee per transaction for each disposable container when customers decline reusable options. All fees collected fund the Clean Environment Fund, which must allocate at least 40% toward waste reduction, recycling, and composting programs. The law exempts pre-packaged items and allows limited use of single-use containers for safety in drive-throughs or airports. Violations trigger written notices first, then fines up to $150 for repeated offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits producers from making deceptive claims about the recyclability or compostability of products and packaging sold in the state. It defines recyclable items as those meeting specific criteria (collected/processed in at least 60% of state recycling programs, containing no PFAS, and designed without recyclability-hindering additives) and compostable items as those meeting recognized standards (like ASTM D6400) or made of untreated wood without plastic. Producers must label compostable products with a third-party certified logo, the word "compostable," and green/beige/brown colors, while banning the use of the recycling symbol (chasing arrows) on compostable packaging. The requirements take effect one year after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHD 1585 requires restaurants and third-party food delivery platforms in Massachusetts to provide single-use food serviceware (like utensils, napkins, or condiment packets) only upon a customer's specific request, not automatically. Food service providers may charge a $0.75 fee per transaction for these items, keeping 100% of the fee, while delivery platforms must let customers select single-use items via their app. The bill directly affects restaurants, delivery services, and consumers by shifting the default from single-use packaging to reusable options, aiming to reduce waste from unrecyclable, health-hazardous packaging. It defines key terms like "single-use" and specifies exceptions for drive-throughs and airport vendors but mandates the opt-in system for all other takeout and delivery orders.

Maddy summaryHD 2168 prohibits food establishments (like restaurants and grocery stores) and retail businesses (including convenience stores and food trucks) in Massachusetts from using or selling disposable food service items made from black plastic - defined as any plastic with resin codes #1-#7 - starting one year after the bill passes. This includes containers, trays, and cartons for food, affecting businesses that serve or sell prepared food. Exemptions cover personal use of black plastic items purchased outside Massachusetts, unaltered pre-packaged food from outside Massachusetts, and temporary exemptions for hardship or inventory clearance. Violations may result in fines starting at $50 for a second offense, with up to $300 per day for ongoing noncompliance.

Maddy summaryHD 3845 bans single-use plastic carryout bags at retail establishments (including grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and food trucks) starting 18 months after enactment, requiring them to offer only reusable grocery bags or recycled paper bags instead. Retailers must charge at least $0.10 for any bag during a 180-day transition period (after enactment), then $0.10 for reusable/recycled bags after 18 months. The bill defines "reusable" bags as machine-washable cloth/hemp with specific material standards and "recycled paper" bags as containing minimum postconsumer recycled content. Small businesses (under 4,000 sq ft, 15 employees, or low bag usage) may qualify for exemptions. Customers may bring their own bags, and nonprofits distributing items at reduced cost are exempt.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state grant and loan program to help small businesses and municipalities switch from gas-powered to electric landscape equipment. Eligible entities must replace gas equipment with electric models to receive funds, which cover purchasing new equipment, staff training, and transition costs. Loans carry 0% interest, and a dedicated trust fund will manage the program's funding, with annual reports to legislative committees. The program directly affects local businesses and municipal operations that maintain public or private green spaces.