H1044 • 2025

Resolve establishing a special commission to study climate change staffing levels

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: Margaret R. Scarsdale
Last action: 2026-05-18
Official status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide detailed information about the exact nature of the recommendations or actions to be taken based on the commission's report, leaving some aspects open-ended.

Establishing a Climate Change Staffing Study Commission

This bill creates a special commission to study and recommend appropriate staffing levels needed for climate change response planning in Massachusetts.

What This Bill Does

Creates a special commission to determine the appropriate levels of staffing and resources necessary for climate change response planning at the regional level.
The commission will consist of seventeen members, including government officials from the General Court and representatives from regional planning agencies.
It requires the commission to investigate current staffing levels related to climate resilience in different communities and identify gaps in these areas.
The commission must develop recommendations for assistance to ensure adequate staffing levels across rural, suburban, and urban areas by July 31, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

Government officials involved with climate change planning
Regional planning agencies in Massachusetts

Terms To Know

Climate resilience: The ability of a community or system to prepare for, adapt to, and recover from the impacts of climate change.
Commission: A group appointed by the government to study an issue and make recommendations.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much money will be given to support this commission.
It is unclear what actions will be taken based on the commission's report.

Bill History

2026-05-18 House
Reported from the committee on House Rules
2026-05-18 House
Reported on the residue of H5368
2026-05-18 House
Resolve reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
2026-05-07 House
Accompanied a study order, see H5368 (under House Rule 27)
2025-08-21 Joint
Hearing scheduled for 09/02/2025 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM in A-1
2025-02-27 House
Referred to the committee on Environment and Natural Resources
2025-02-27 Senate
Senate concurred
House
Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

Official Summary Text

Resolve establishing a special commission to study climate change staffing levels
By Representative Scarsdale of Pepperell, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 1044) of Margaret R. Scarsdale for legislation to establish a special commission (including members of the General Court) to study climate change staffing levels. Environment and Natural Resources.
Status:
Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Bill H.1044

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.

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