HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5379        FILED ON: 9/16/2022

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5317

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jay D. Livingstone

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act authorizing the city of Boston to establish fossil fuel-free standards for new construction and major renovation projects.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5379        FILED ON: 9/16/2022

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5317

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act authorizing the city of Boston to establish fossil fuel-free standards for new construction and major renovation projects.

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: Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, the City of Boston is authorized to adopt and further amend a municipal ordinance or zoning regulation that restricts or prohibits new building construction or major renovation projects that do not qualify as fossil fuel-free, including through the withholding or conditioning of building permits.

SECTION 2: Said restrictions or prohibitions shall not apply to research laboratories for scientific or medical research, or to hospitals or medical offices regulated by the department of public health as a healthcare facility.

SECTION 3: The ordinance or zoning regulation will establish definitions and criteria for applicability, and timelines for the transition to fossil fuel-free new construction and major renovation projects, that prioritize the joint goals of emissions reduction resilience, equity and a just transition for workers.

SECTION 4: An Advisory Committee shall be established that reflects a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds from outside stakeholders including representatives from the fields of environmental justice, economic justice, racial equity, affordable housing, labor and workers' rights, small business, workforce development, healthcare and public health, building and engineering and energy, real estate development, and management, architecture, distributed energy systems, or any combination thereof. The Chair and Members of the Advisory Committee will be appointed by the Mayor in partnership with the City Council. The Advisory Committee will meet not less than three times prior to introduction of said ordinance. The Advisory Committee will collaborate with and advise the City on the ordinance's definitions, criteria for applicability, and transition timelines to fossil fuel-free new construction and major renovation projects.

SECTION 5: This act shall take effect immediately upon signing by the Governor.