Bill > S555

This bill establishes a grant and loan program within the Massachusetts executive office of energy and environmental affairs to help small businesses and municipalities transition from gas-powered to electric landscape maintenance equipment. To qualify for grants, businesses and municipalities must surrender their existing gas-powered equipment and replace it with low-noise, low-emissions alternatives on a one-for-one basis. The program allows funds to be used for purchasing electric equipment, training staff on using and maintaining the new equipment, covering operational costs associated with the transition, and other related expenses. The bill creates a dedicated Low-Noise, Low-Emissions Landscape Maintenance Equipment Trust Fund, which will be managed by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs and will carry no interest on its loans. Notably, the fund's money will not revert to the General Fund at the end of each fiscal year and will remain available for future use. The secretary is required to provide an annual report by August 1st detailing the fund's expenditure activities to the appropriate legislative committees, ensuring transparency and accountability in the program's implementation.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S555