Bill > H901

This bill establishes the Nature for All Fund, a dedicated state fund aimed at conserving and improving natural and working lands in Massachusetts. The fund will support a range of environmental and social objectives, including creating and improving parks and greenspaces in underserved neighborhoods, protecting water quality, conserving farmland and forests, advancing biodiversity and climate goals, connecting open spaces, and restoring lands of indigenous cultural significance. The fund will be financed through specific sales and use tax receipts, as well as public and private gifts and grants. A 15-member board, including state officials and public representatives from diverse backgrounds, will oversee the fund's operations and approve regulations for expenditures. The board will ensure that fund allocations prioritize environmental justice communities, indigenous land restoration, and align with state environmental goals. The bill also allows the state treasurer to issue special obligation bonds to support the fund's initiatives, with specific provisions to protect the fund's integrity and ensure transparency. Annually, the executive office of energy and environmental affairs must report on the proportion of funds spent in environmental justice populations, ensuring accountability and targeted investment in communities most in need of environmental improvements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H901