Bill > H3200

This bill seeks to hold executive agencies, specifically the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Utilities, civilly liable for negligent or wanton and reckless behavior in issuing permits or licenses for the construction of natural gas pipelines or natural gas compressor stations that result in a "public emergency" - defined as events that cause substantial harm to people, property, or public health in Massachusetts. The bill requires the Attorney General to investigate the licensing and permitting process in such cases and determine if the agencies and their employees, by virtue of their official responsibilities, willfully ignored significant public safety risks. If found to have engaged in negligent or wanton and reckless behavior, the responsible public employees can be held civilly liable and subject to damages, without consideration of federal laws that may have justified the issuance of the permits or licenses.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H3200