Bill > H2002

This bill aims to lessen the financial burden on local taxpayers for necessary upgrades to public drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems, acknowledging that these costs are significant and often driven by state and federal environmental regulations without adequate funding assistance. The bill defines any new rule, regulation, guidance, or policy from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) that imposes additional costs on cities and towns as a "local mandate." Before any such EOEEA proposal can take effect, a detailed "regulatory impact statement" must be completed and made public, outlining the problem it addresses, the methodology used, affected stakeholders, financial impacts on all parties (including cities and towns), and the projected benefits. Additionally, the EOEEA must maintain a notification list of interested parties and provide preliminary notice of proposed rules to these stakeholders and relevant legislative committees at least thirty days before a public hearing, ensuring compliance with the Massachusetts Administrative Procedures Act.