The bill aims to enhance municipal water infrastructure in Massachusetts, focusing on replacing lead service line pipes and improving waste and storm water systems. It establishes a $1 billion funding initiative through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, designed to support these updates and improvements. Municipalities must comply with specific procedures for expense reporting and reimbursement, ensuring adherence to applicable laws and standards during project execution.

A key component of the bill is the Water Infrastructure Improvement Fund, managed by the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and overseen by the state treasurer. This fund will facilitate financial oversight and integrity. To qualify for grants, municipalities must develop an asset management plan and implement a full cost pricing program. The bill uses a formula to distribute funds equitably, considering factors like road miles, population, and employment within each municipality.

To finance these initiatives, the bill authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds, with a cap of $1 billion. These bonds are set to mature by 2053, with repayments sourced from the General Fund. This comprehensive framework ensures that financial resources are allocated effectively, promoting long-term improvements in Massachusetts' water infrastructure.

The bill authorizes a capital outlay program aimed at upgrading and expanding Massachusetts' water infrastructure. It allocates $78.5 million for the Commonwealth Sewer Rate Relief Fund and $138 million for the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. The bill also dedicates $2 billion to expanding the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's capacity, with an emphasis on improving drinking water quality and increasing housing capacity. In addition, $375 million is designated for the HousingWorks infrastructure program to support housing projects and ensure compliance with zoning requirements.

In addition to funding allocations, the bill includes provisions for research, rehabilitation, and community impact assessments concerning water resources. It establishes an Interbasin Transfer Review Commission to review and possibly amend water transfer laws in support of housing development, while ensuring environmental protections. The bill also proposes the creation of several commissions and advisory committees aimed at addressing funding gaps and improving efficiency in water infrastructure. To tackle workforce shortages, a grant program is introduced, focusing on workforce training, employment opportunities, and promoting diversity in hiring within the sector.

This legislative bill creates the Quabbin Host Community Trust Fund, overseen by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, to address the municipal service, public safety, and development needs of communities within the Quabbin Reservoir watershed. The Trust Fund will receive $35 million annually from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, with this amount subject to inflation adjustments. The fund mandates expenditure of at least 90% of its annual contribution, allocating 70% to municipal operations and capital improvements and up to 25% to non-profit and cultural organizations addressing community needs. The Secretary, with input from local select boards, will formulate the fund's administrative rules. Furthermore, the bill guarantees a minimum annual payment in lieu of taxes of $50,000 to the affected communities and modifies the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority board to ensure greater representation from Quabbin Reservoir watershed communities.

The bill also requires a comprehensive Water System Expansion Evaluation for communities in various river basins by the end of 2025 and restricts any interbasin water transfers from the Quabbin Reservoir until this evaluation is concluded. Additionally, it revises the criteria for community definitions and representation related to the Quabbin Reservoir, which affects board appointments and introduces term limits for board directors. Most provisions of this bill are set to become effective on January 1, 2026.

The bill proposes an amendment to Chapter 40 of the General Laws, enabling municipalities and specified districts or authorities to levy fees aimed at mitigating environmental impacts caused by water withdrawals, wastewater discharges, and stormwater systems. The collected fees are strictly allocated for initiatives such as local water recharge, minimizing water system losses, expanding treatment facilities for stormwater and wastewater, promoting water reuse, and enhancing water conservation, all intended to preserve water quality, availability, and ecosystem health. The fee structure is designed to be fair and equitable, potentially varying by usage type, such as residential or commercial.

To implement this amendment, each adopting local entity must appoint an official or board responsible for the assessment, collection, and management of these fees, which are to be deposited into separate "Sustainable Water Resource Funds" dedicated to drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater projects. These funds are exclusively reserved for the environmental efforts described in the bill and can be supplemented by other financial contributions, such as gifts, grants, or federal reimbursements, with any interest earned being retained within the fund. Furthermore, a locality that opts into this provision retains the right to withdraw its commitment, provided that any residual funds are utilized in accordance with the outlined environmental objectives.

This bill establishes the Quabbin Host Community Trust Fund, designed to support the municipal service, public safety, and development needs of the Quabbin Reservoir watershed communities. The fund will be managed by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs and financed through the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's mandatory annual contributions. The fund prioritizes municipal operations and capital improvements, with specific allocations for non-profit and cultural organizations addressing health, welfare, safety, and transit needs, as well as infrastructure projects in the community.

Additionally, the bill amends tax provisions to ensure that communities receive minimum payments in lieu of taxes, based on their land holdings, guaranteeing no reduction from previous payments. It also revises the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's board representation to include multiple members from the Quabbin Reservoir watershed communities, enhancing the focus on land and water resource protection. The bill enforces term limits for board directors, exempting the Secretary of Environmental Affairs.

Moreover, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is required to conduct a Water System Expansion Evaluation for several river basin communities by 2026, postponing any interbasin water transfer approvals until the evaluation's completion. The provisions of the first section of this act will take effect on January 1, 2026.

The bill authorizes a capital outlay program aimed at upgrading and expanding Massachusetts' water infrastructure. It allocates $78.5 million for the Commonwealth Sewer Rate Relief Fund and $138 million for the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. The bill also dedicates $2 billion to expanding the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's capacity, with an emphasis on improving drinking water quality and increasing housing capacity. In addition, $375 million is designated for the HousingWorks infrastructure program to support housing projects and ensure compliance with zoning requirements.

In addition to funding allocations, the bill includes provisions for research, rehabilitation, and community impact assessments concerning water resources. It establishes an Interbasin Transfer Review Commission to review and possibly amend water transfer laws in support of housing development, while ensuring environmental protections. The bill also proposes the creation of several commissions and advisory committees aimed at addressing funding gaps and improving efficiency in water infrastructure. To tackle workforce shortages, a grant program is introduced, focusing on workforce training, employment opportunities, and promoting diversity in hiring within the sector.

This bill establishes a framework in Massachusetts that allows municipalities, water districts, wastewater districts, stormwater utilities, or statutory authorities to levy a fee aimed at mitigating the environmental impacts of water-related activities. The fee targets the effects of new or increased water withdrawals, wastewater discharges, and stormwater discharges. Its purpose is to fund initiatives that uphold the ecological health and quality of the state's water resources. These initiatives encompass local stormwater and wastewater recharge, development of redundant water sources, reduction of drinking water system losses, and improvements to stormwater and wastewater treatment systems. Additionally, the bill supports projects like water reuse, sewer infiltration removal, water conservation, retrofitting of buildings and parking lots, dam removals, aquatic habitat enhancements, and land acquisition for water supply protection and habitat purposes.

The bill requires adopting entities to appoint a responsible board, commission, or official to manage the assessment, collection, and allocation of these fees. The collected fees are to be deposited into designated accounts known as "Sustainable Water Resource Funds" for drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater usage. These funds are earmarked for specific uses outlined in the bill and can be accessed without additional appropriation. Furthermore, the funds can accept financial contributions from public and private sources and accrue interest. The framework includes a provision for revocation of the fee adoption, ensuring that any remaining funds are utilized according to their intended purposes.