HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1273        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3128

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Thomas P. Walsh

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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 resolve:

Resolve establishing a commission on infrastructure resilience.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1273        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3128

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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Resolve establishing a commission on infrastructure resilience.

Resolved, (a)  There shall be a special commission on infrastructure resilience for the purpose of studying infrastructure resilience in the commonwealth and shall include but not be limited to: identifying gaps in security and developing a strategic plan to address specific shortcomings, better protect existing infrastructure assets, and improve coordination between state and local agencies, utilities, and emergency responders relevant to infrastructure resilience in the commonwealth.

(b)The commission shall: (i) investigate the current status of infrastructure resilience in the commonwealth; (ii) identify and assess gaps in security and vulnerabilities present in our infrastructure; (iii) develop a plan and timeline to conduct a statewide infrastructure resilience needs assessment, which shall be under the direction of the executive office of public safety and security; (iv) explore best practices gleaned from industry trade groups, government bodies, and experts; (v) assess current sector capacity for implementation of recommendations (vi) report on other matters as the commission shall determine to be of relevance and priority.

(c)  The commission shall consist of thirteen members: the secretary of the executive office of public safety and security or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities, and energy or their designees, the executive director of the American Petroleum Institute or a designee; the president of ISO-New England or a designee; the chair of the Massachusetts department of public utilities or a designee; three members to be appointed by the governor, provided that one member be from the petroleum or natural gas pipeline industry; two members to be appointed by the speaker of the house, provided that one appointee shall be a representative from the telecommunications industry; and two members to be appointed by the president of the senate, provided that one appointee shall be a representative from the electricity generating industry.  

The commission may consult with relevant experts to support the commission’s objectives and the production of its report.

(d)The commission shall file its report and recommendations with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities, and energy not later than July 31, 2024. 

SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.