H971 • 2025

An Act establishing a pilot program for nature-based solutions to climate change

Active

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

Sponsor: Hunt, Daniel J.
Last action: 2025-12-22
Official status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act establishing a pilot program for nature-based solutions to climate change

An Act establishing a pilot program for nature-based solutions to climate change By Representatives Hunt of Boston and Garballey of Arlington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

What This Bill Does

An Act establishing a pilot program for nature-based solutions to climate change By Representatives Hunt of Boston and Garballey of Arlington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
971) of Daniel J.
Hunt, Sean Garballey and others for legislation to establish a climate change superfund and promoting polluter responsibility.
Environment and Natural Resources.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2025-12-22 House
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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

Official Summary Text

An Act establishing a pilot program for nature-based solutions to climate change
By Representatives Hunt of Boston and Garballey of Arlington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 971) of Daniel J. Hunt, Sean Garballey and others for legislation to establish a climate change superfund and promoting polluter responsibility. Environment and Natural Resources.
Status:
Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

×

Bill H.971

Section 1. (a) The executive office of energy and environmental affairs shall establish a pilot program for research activities and demonstration projects for nature-based solutions, as defined in section 1 of chapter 21N of the General Laws. The program shall: (i) define categories of nature-based solutions and develop standards for their use; (ii) coordinate, streamline and expedite the permitting and review process for activities and projects; and (iii) prioritize activities and projects that advance scientific knowledge, provide conservation benefits, and minimize impacts to existing wetlands. The secretary of energy and environmental affairs and commissioners/directors of permitting agencies may modify specific performance standards for nature-based solutions.

(b) The pilot program shall commence upon the effective date of this Act and operate for 5 years. Not later than one year from the effective date of this Act, and annually thereafter, the secretary shall file a report with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the joint committee on environment and natural resources that: (i) details the categories of nature-based solutions; (ii) analyzes the approval time for all permits required for each approved research activity or demonstration project; (iii) specifies any specific performance standards modified for each approved research activity or project; and (iv) provides data about the effectiveness of each approved research activity or project.

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Close