Bill > H2745

This bill proposes to reestablish the Harbors and Inland Waters Maintenance Fund, a dedicated fund for maintaining and improving the Commonwealth's waterways. The fund will receive money from various sources, including specific provisions within Chapter 64A (likely related to fuel taxes) and Chapter 91 (which governs waterways and harbors), as well as federal grants. These funds are intended to be used by the Department of Environmental Management for crucial tasks such as continuous maintenance dredging to keep channels clear, cleaning harbors and inland waters by removing sunken or abandoned vessels and hazardous obstacles, maintaining state piers, and supporting other related provisions within Chapter 91. Importantly, all money in this fund will require legislative appropriation and can only be spent on these specific maintenance and cleaning activities.