HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1998        FILED ON: 1/14/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3615

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act incorprating the Commonwealth's sustainable development principles into the policies of executive and quasi-public agencies..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  As used in this section the following words shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

“Executive Agencies” shall include, without limitation, all agencies within the Executive branch of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

“Independent Agencies,” shall include, without limitation: the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority; the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority; the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority; the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency;  the Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority; the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency; the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund; the Massachusetts Port Authority, and the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

“Sustainable Development Principles” shall mean the following principles adopted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: concentrate development and mix uses; advance equity; make efficient decisions; protect land and ecosystems; use natural resources wisely; expand housing opportunities; provide transportation choice; increase job and business opportunities; promote clean energy; and plan regionally. 

SECTION 2.  Notwithstanding any language to the contrary, the enabling statutes of Executive Agencies and Independent Agencies are hereby amended to include the following language:

In carrying out its duties, including establishing priorities for capital expenditures, developing new funding programs, expanding geographic boundaries, or adopting program regulations or guidelines, the agency shall take all feasible steps to conform with the Commonwealth’s Sustainable Development Principles.