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Bill

HD 2177

An Act establishing a revolving fund to supplement the funding of waterway projects and coastal protection initiatives

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bruce Ayers

Massachusetts bill creates self-replenishing waterway and coastal protection fund to finance infrastructure projects with dedicated revenues instead of annual appropriations.

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Bill Summary · HD 2177

Legislative bill overview

HD 2177 establishes a dedicated revolving fund in Massachusetts designed to provide supplementary financing for waterway improvement projects and coastal protection initiatives. The fund would create a self-sustaining mechanism where revenues from completed projects help finance future waterway and coastal work, reducing reliance on annual appropriations.

Why is this important

Massachusetts faces increasing pressure from sea-level rise, flooding, and aging water infrastructure, making sustained funding critical for public safety and environmental protection. A revolving fund provides more flexible, predictable financing than traditional budget appropriations, potentially accelerating project timelines and enabling faster response to coastal threats.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source clarity: The bill's language on how the revolving fund receives initial capitalization and what revenue streams replenish it may be vague, raising questions about whether it draws from general revenue or creates new fees
  • Project prioritization: Without explicit criteria, there's risk that funds favor economically developed coastal areas over environmental justice communities or less-affluent regions needing protection
  • Oversight mechanisms: The bill may lack sufficient reporting requirements or public accountability measures for how fund managers allocate resources across competing waterway and coastal projects

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

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