SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2922

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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SENATE, July 31, 2024.

The committee on Senate Ways and Means to whom was referred the Senate Bill to promote nature-based approaches for resiliency and climate change adaptation throughout the Commonwealth (Senate, No. 458), - reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2922).

For the committee,

Michael J. Rodrigues

        FILED ON: 7/31/2024

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2922

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

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An Act to promote nature-based approaches for resiliency and climate change adaptation throughout the Commonwealth.

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

(a) The executive office of energy and environmental affairs shall, subject to appropriation, establish a pilot program for research activities and demonstration projects for nature-based solutions, as defined in section 1 of chapter 21N of the General Laws. The program shall: (i) define categories of nature-based solutions and develop standards for their use; (ii) coordinate, streamline and expedite the permitting and review process for activities and projects; and (iii) prioritize activities and projects that advance scientific knowledge, provide net conservation benefits, minimize impacts to existing wetlands and mitigate unavoidable impacts. The secretary of energy and environmental affairs may modify specific performance standards for nature-based solutions.

(b) The pilot program shall commence after regulations under subsection (c) are promulgated and shall operate for 5 years. Not later than September 30, 2025, and annually thereafter, the secretary shall file a report with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the joint committee on environment and natural resources that: (i) details the categories of nature-based solutions; (ii) analyzes the approval time for all permits required for each approved research activity or demonstration project; (iii) specifies any specific performance standards modified for each approved research activity or project; and (iv) provides data about the effectiveness of each approved research activity or project.

(c) Not later than March 1, 2025, the executive office of energy and environmental affairs shall promulgate regulations to implement this act.