Massachusetts S 3064: An Act to build resilience for Massachusetts communities

Bill Text

1 of 166 
        FILED ON: 4/15/2026 
SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3064 
Senate, April 15, 2026 -- Text of the Senate Bill to build resilience for Massachusetts 
communities (Senate, No. 3064) (being the text of Senate No. 3050, printed as amended) 
 
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
 
_______________
 
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court 
(2025-2026) 
_______________
 
 
An Act to build resilience for Massachusetts communities. 
 
 Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to 
authorize forthwith the financing of improvements to provide for climate change adaptation, 
resiliency and the immediate preservation and improvement of environmental and recreational 
assets of the commonwealth, and to make related changes in certain laws, therefore it is hereby 
declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public 
convenience. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
of the same, as follows: 
 
1 SECTION 1. To provide for a program of climate change adaptation, resiliency and the 
2preservation and improvement of environmental and recreation assets of the commonwealth, 
3sections 2 to 2G inclusive, for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in this 
4act, are hereby made available, subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds. 
5These sums shall be in addition to any amounts previously authorized and made available for the 
6purposes of those items. The sums set forth in sections 2 to 2G, inclusive, shall be made 
7available until June 30, 2032.  
8 SECTION 2. 

2 of 166 
9 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS 
10 Department of Conservation and Recreation   
11 2800-1123  For the acquisition of land and interests in land by the department of 
12conservation and recreation and for associated costs including planning, study, due diligence, 
13title and appraisal services, site restoration and stewardship including, but not limited to, coastal 
14land acquisition and securing access to protected coastal lands and lands to provide for the inland 
15movement of coastal habitats; provided, that funds may be used for capital investments related to 
16the stewardship of the land; and provided further, that funds may be used for the restoration and 
17reclamation of acquired land, including demolition of structures, removal of debris, eradication 
18of non-native species and other services essential to these reclamation efforts.........$40,000,000 
19 2800-7024 For a forestry and tree planting program for projects throughout the 
20commonwealth including, but not limited to, the evaluation and planning of forestry and tree 
21planting projects, tree stock, planting and associated costs; provided, that the secretary of energy 
22and environmental affairs shall grant priority to the planting of trees that are in areas: (i) 
23experiencing heat island effects; (ii) underserved with tree cover; (iii) with disadvantaged 
24populations; (iv) affected by severe weather events or insect infestation; (v) where aquifers, 
25recharge areas, wells, reservoirs and other water bodies are located that will improve and protect 
26water quality as part of a natural ecosystem; and (vi) that will further climate change mitigation, 
27adaptation and resiliency strategies; provided further, that the program shall prioritize the use and 
28growth of native tree species; provided further, that the secretary may provide guidance for 
29coordination between municipal and utility stakeholders on incorporating utility gas leaks data 
30into planning for street tree planting projects and for testing street tree pits for methane before 

3 of 166 
31planting; and provided further, that funds from this item may be expended to provide grants, 
32technical assistance or other support to landowners to undertake capital projects including, but 
33not limited to, sustainable forest management and long-term conservation practices, to protect 
34the ecological integrity of the commonwealth’s forestlands under the Forests as Climate 
35Solutions plan............................................................$20,000,000 
36 2800-7026 For the: (i) design, construction, maintenance, repair, removal and 
37improvements of state-owned or abandoned dams identified by the office of dam safety, 
38including improvements to the aquatic habitat, inland flood control projects and projects for 
39related facilities and equipment; (ii) design, construction, maintenance, repair or improvement of 
40the department’s coastal and marine infrastructure and coastal ecological resources including, but 
41not limited to, shore protection, docks, piers, culverts, beaches, dunes and salt marshes; and (iii) 
42navigational and ecological performance of the commonwealth’s tidal and nontidal waterways; 
43provided, that the department of