Bill > S448

This bill aims to help municipal and district ratepayers by addressing the costs associated with necessary upgrades to public drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. It defines "local mandate" as 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, including requirements for new services, direct or indirect cost obligations, or changes to existing activities that lead to increased spending or diversion of funds. Before any such EOEEA proposal can take effect, a comprehensive regulatory impact statement must be completed, made public, and filed with the secretary of state, detailing the proposal's methodology, affected stakeholders, timeline, immediate and long-term financial impacts on all parties (including administrative, permitting, enforcement, capital, compliance, and indirect costs), and the projected fiscal effects over the first five years, along with a description of the proposal's benefits. The EOEEA will also maintain a notification list for stakeholders who can request preliminary notice of proposals, which will include the proposal's identification, scope, statutory authority, and contact information for the responsible person. Furthermore, the bill mandates that EOEEA proposals must comply with the Massachusetts Administrative Procedures Act, and any entity aggrieved by non-compliance will have the right to file a petition for relief in superior court.