Bill > H1022

This bill appropriates funds to address the Commonwealth's water infrastructure future across multiple fiscal years. * **Massachusetts Clean Water Trust:** $138,000,000 from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust will be used for contract assistance for debt service obligations on loans, prioritizing municipalities and water utilities facing affordability barriers to infrastructure improvements. Funds not used for debt service will be redirected for principal forgiveness or to support previously unfunded projects. * **Massachusetts Water Resources Authority:** $2,000,000,000 will be used to expand the capacity of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to serve new cities and towns, with a focus on increasing housing capacity and improving drinking water quality in areas contaminated by PFAS. The authority must submit an annual report detailing fund allocation, outreach efforts, expansion timelines, and barriers. * **HousingWorks Infrastructure Program:** $375,000,000 will be administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities as grants to cities and towns for sewer, septic, and water infrastructure upgrades that support housing development, preservation, or rehabilitation. Specific allocations are prioritized for communities compliant with multi-family zoning requirements and those that have invested significantly in community housing. * **Commonwealth Sewer Rate Relief Fund:** $78,500,000 is allocated to the Commonwealth Sewer Rate Relief Fund. * **1:1 Matching Program:** $10,000,000 is designated for the 1:1 matching program, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection, prioritizing communities seeking admission to or additional water supply from regional authorities due to water quality issues, stressed water basins, or constrained economic development. * **Regional Water Entity Reimbursement Fund:** $13,800,000 is allocated to the Regional Water Entity Reimbursement Fund, with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority prioritizing the rehabilitation of collection systems. * **Water Infrastructure Improvement Grants:** $200,000 will be made available annually through grants from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for the replacement and upgrade of existing water infrastructure, consistent with the 2012 Water Infrastructure Finance Committee report. * **Biosolids Research:** $200,000 will fund the Biohub project's research into biosolids, including PFAS binding, safe applications, and landfill avoidance. * **Wastewater Infrastructure Adaptation Planning Grants:** $10,000,000 will create a grant program administered by the Department of Environmental Protection to help Publicly Owned Treatment Works and municipal sewer collection systems plan for adaptation to storm and flood damage. * **Workforce Training and Education Grants:** The Board of Higher Education will establish a grant program to support training and education for the water infrastructure workforce, addressing shortages in construction, engineering, and operations. Funds for this program are not explicitly stated as a single appropriation amount but are established as a program.