Bill > S589

This bill aims to assist municipal and district ratepayers by addressing the costs associated with capital upgrades to public drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. The key provisions are: 1. Any proposal from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) that imposes additional costs on cities or towns is considered a "local mandate," which requires the EOEEA to complete a regulatory impact statement. This statement must identify the problem, methodology, stakeholders, financial impacts, and benefits of the proposal. 2. The EOEEA must maintain a notification list of stakeholders and provide preliminary notification of any proposals to the Joint Legislative Committees, Ways & Means Committees, the State Auditor, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association at least 30 days before the public hearing. 3. Proposals from the EOEEA cannot become effective until the agency complies with the Massachusetts Administrative Procedures Act, and any entity claiming lack of compliance can file a petition for relief with the superior court. The overall intent is to increase transparency and accountability around the costs imposed on local ratepayers due to environmental regulations and upgrades to water infrastructure.