Bill > S2812

This bill aims to address regional equity and support the Quabbin watershed communities. Key provisions include: 1. Establishing the Quabbin Host Community Trust Fund to support municipal services, public safety, and development needs of Quabbin reservoir watershed communities, funded by fees assessed on water usage from the Quabbin reservoir. 2. Ensuring a minimum annual payment of $50,000 to cities and towns for land held in trust as payments in lieu of taxes, and maintaining payments at least at the prior fiscal year's level. 3. Requiring the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to annually certify water usage from the Quabbin reservoir and pay associated fees, with the Department of Conservation and Recreation setting the assessment amount. 4. Limiting MWRA board of directors' terms to 12 years, except for the Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs serving ex officio. 5. Mandating the MWRA to complete a water system expansion evaluation for several river basin communities by December 31, 2025. 6. Specifying that Sections 1 and 3 will take effect on January 1, 2025. The bill aims to provide increased financial support and oversight for the Quabbin watershed communities, which have long been impacted by the state's use of their land and water resources.