HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1020 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3230
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Aaron L. Saunders
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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 allowing municipalities to reasonably regulate solar siting.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Aaron L. Saunders | 7th Hampden | 1/17/2023 |
Lindsay N. Sabadosa | 1st Hampshire | 1/25/2023 |
Michael P. Kushmerek | 3rd Worcester | 1/31/2023 |
Jack Patrick Lewis | 7th Middlesex | 4/11/2023 |
Jacob R. Oliveira | Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester | 5/24/2023 |
James C. Arena-DeRosa | 8th Middlesex | 6/12/2023 |
Priscila S. Sousa | 6th Middlesex | 6/26/2023 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1020 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3230
By Representative Saunders of Belchertown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3230) of Aaron L. Saunders, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Michael P. Kushmerek relative to zoning ordinances for the regulation of the installation of solar energy systems. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 4331 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act allowing municipalities to reasonably regulate solar siting.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Section 3 of chapter 40A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the ninth paragraph, in lines 123 to 126, inclusive, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
No zoning ordinance or by-law shall prohibit or unreasonably regulate the installation of solar energy systems or the building of structures that facilitate the collection of solar energy for residential purposes except where necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare. Commercial, governmental, and non-residential solar energy structures and systems may be reasonably regulated for purposes of (i) protecting public health, safety and welfare; (ii) preserving forested lands, agricultural lands, or wetlands; or (iii) ensuring compatibility with municipal zoning.