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SD 1574

An Act allowing the board of state examiners of plumbers and gas fitters to vary regulations to advance reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Barrett

Allows the licensing board to grant variances from regulations to advance greenhouse gas reductions and occupant health, aligning rules with Chapter 21N goals.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 1574

Summary of Senate Docket No. 1574 / SD 1574

An Act allowing the board of state examiners of plumbers and gas fitters to vary regulations to advance reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

Overview

This bill would allow the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters to consider approving variances from existing regulations in order to advance reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The grounds for granting variances would include the health of building occupants and achieving statewide GHG emission limits and sublimits established in Chapter 21N. The bill also expands the grounds for making, altering, amending, or repealing such rules and regulations to include GHG reduction goals and occupant health.

Key Provisions

  • Amends Section 13 of Chapter 142 of the General Laws (as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition) by inserting:
    • A new clause allowing examiners to grant variances based on the advancement of GHG emission reductions and the health of building occupants.
    • A specific reference to meeting the statewide GHG emission limits and sublimits established in Chapter 21N.
  • Adds a parallel provision to the final portion of Section 13 stating that, for making, altering, amending, and repealing rules and regulations, grounds may include advancing occupant health and achieving GHG reduction targets under Chapter 21N.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary: The Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters, including its regulatory and licensing processes.
  • Practitioners: Plumbers and gas fitters who must comply with regulations that could be varianced.
  • Building occupants and occupants’ health: Indirect beneficiaries through potentially cleaner, more energy-efficient building practices.
  • Public and environmental policy context: Aligns licensing/regulatory actions with state climate goals under Chapter 21N.

Policy Context and Impact

  • Purpose: To integrate climate goals into professional licensing regulation by permitting regulatory flexibility (variances) when such actions advance GHG reductions and occupant health.
  • Potential effects:
    • Increased regulatory flexibility for the board to tailor rules in ways that further climate and health objectives.
    • Encouragement of practices that reduce emissions in plumbing and gas-fitting work, potentially affecting equipment standards, installation methods, and energy efficiency measures.
    • Alignment with Massachusetts climate law (Chapter 21N) and its GHG targets.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Senate docket: Senate No. 188 (Senate Docket No. 1574).
  • House status: House concurred (February 27, 2025).
  • Next steps: Referred to the House committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (same date as concurrence).

Notes and Considerations

  • The bill provides statutory authority to grant variances based on climate and health criteria, but does not specify standards for evaluating “advancement” of GHG reductions or the procedures for approving variances (e.g., criteria, notice, appeal rights, or duration of variances).
  • Stakeholders may seek clarity on how variances would interact with existing health and safety requirements, as well as any fiscal or implementation costs for the board or regulated professionals.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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