Bill > H5242

This bill aims to preserve open space in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It requires any agency, authority, or political subdivision that wants to change the use or dispose of land or easements acquired under Article XCVII of the state constitution to: (1) perform an alternatives analysis and notify the public and the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs; (2) identify replacement land of equal or greater natural resource value, acreage, and fair market value; and (3) dedicate the replacement land in perpetuity for the same purposes. The Secretary may waive the replacement land requirement if the disposition is a transfer between public entities and does not involve any other change. The bill also requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to implement these provisions within one year.

House Committee on Ways and Means (H), Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H5242