KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Massachusetts

S2920 • 2025

An Act relative to firefighting water supplies and a state cistern program

An Act relative to firefighting water supplies and a state cistern program

Active

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

Sponsor
Financial Services (J)
Last action
2026-04-01
Official status
Referred to Senate 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 relative to firefighting water supplies and a state cistern program

An Act relative to firefighting water supplies and a state cistern program Senate, January 29 , 2026 -- The committee on Financial Services to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act relative to firefighting water supplies and a state cistern program Senate, January 29 , 2026 -- The committee on Financial Services to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No.
  • 2739) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael O.
  • Moore for legislation relative to firefighting water supplies and a state cistern program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No.
  • 2920).

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

  1. 2026-04-01 Senate

    Committee recommended ought to pass and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means

  2. 2026-01-29 Senate

    Reported from the committee on Financial Services

  3. 2026-01-29 Senate

    New draft of S2739

  4. 2026-01-29 Senate

    Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently

Official Summary Text

An Act relative to firefighting water supplies and a state cistern program
Senate, January 29 , 2026 -- The committee on Financial Services to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2739) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to firefighting water supplies and a state cistern program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2920).
Status:
Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
×

Bill S.2920

SECTION 1. (a) There shall be a task force established to conduct a comprehensive study on the most effective and efficient means of implementing a cistern program across the commonwealth. The task force shall study the costs, alternatives for developing water storage cisterns for areas of the state with insufficient water supplies for fire suppression, prioritizing cistern locations at the urban-wildland interface and in rural communities where water resources for use by the fire service to combat fires are limited.

(b) The task force shall consist of 7 members that shall include: (i) the state fire marshal or their designee, who shall serve as chair; (ii) the director of the Massachusetts emergency management agency or their designee; (iii) the commissioner of the department of environmental protection or their designee; (iv) 1 member of the Board of Building Standards and Regulations; (v) the chief fire warden of the department of conservation and recreation; (vi) a representative from the Fire Chiefs’ Association of Massachusetts; (vii) 1 rural firefighter, (viii) additionally there shall be 2 non voting advisory members, 1 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 1 appointed by the President of the Senate.

(c) The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) input and recommendations from the appropriate municipal representatives from communities with documented water access challenges for fire suppression; (ii) evaluating the optimal placement of cisterns based on fire risk and water access; (iii) ensuring that any cistern deployment strategy is based on data-driven decision-making and informed by industry best practices, and codes and standards set for in NFPA 1141 and NFPA 1142; (vi) opportunities for cistern alternatives, including dry hydrants and related infrastructure; (vii) the cost for the construction, installation and maintenance of 10 water storage cisterns, dry hydrants and related water infrastructure per year, at the wildland urban interface and rural and urban communities throughout the commonwealth.

(d) The task force shall prepare a report on its activities and on any findings and recommendations for a statewide firefighting cistern strategy including, but not limited to: (i) identifying priority areas for installation; (ii) potential cost and funding sources; and (iii) regulatory or legislative changes needed to facilitate implementation. The report shall be submitted to the: (i) secretary of the executive office of public safety and security; (ii) joint committee on public safety and homeland security; and (iii) offices of the house and senate clerk not later than December 31, 2026.

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