HB05153

What it does

• Allows grant money to be used for restoring natural habitats or starting urban farms on open space already owned by distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities, environmental justice areas, or nonprofit land conservation organizations in those specific locations.
• Limits the total amount of these restoration and repurposing grants to no more than twenty percent of all protected open space and watershed land acquisition grants given in a fiscal year.
• Clarifies that land with an older conservation deal can still get state funding if the new deal happens at the same time, provided the old owner agrees to let the state take priority on their interest.
• Updates rules for giving rebates or vouchers to residents and other entities who buy electric vehicles, requiring higher payments for low-income residents in environmental justice communities.
• Sets a price limit of fifty thousand dollars on cars eligible for these vehicle rebates until June 30, 2027.
• Creates grants to help municipalities, school districts, and bus operators pay part of the cost for zero-emission school buses and charging stations.