HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1636        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Margaret R. Scarsdale

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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 special commission to study climate change staffing levels.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1636        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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Resolve establishing a special commission to study climate change staffing levels.

Resolved, SECTION 1. (a) there shall be a special commission on climate change staffing to determine appropriate levels of staffing and resources necessary to carry out climate change response planning and strategy at the regional level, as part of the Commonwealth’s effort to meet its clean energy and climate plan for 2050 goals. This study will have a particular focus on determining what resources for these efforts should be available to rural, suburban, and urban communities, including but not limited to: (i) technical and planning assistance; (ii) financial assistance; and (iii) implementation assistance.

(b) The commission shall consist of seventeen members: the secretary of the executive office of energy and environmental affairs or a designee, the secretary of the office of climate innovation and resilience or a designee, who shall serve as co-chairs; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on environment and natural resources or their designees, and representatives of the thirteen Massachusetts regional planning agencies or their designees.

(c) The commission shall: (i) investigate the current state of regional and local climate resilience staffing; (ii) identify and assess gaps in regional and local climate staffing; and (iii) develop a set of recommendations for assistance to communities and regions to ensure adequate climate resilience staffing levels. The commission shall have a particular focus on equitable distribution of resources across rural, suburban, and urban areas. 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, and the joint committee on environment and natural resources not later than July 31, 2026.

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