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H 905

An Act expanding pleasure boat access to Boston Harbor

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tackey Chan

Requires state and City of Boston agencies to establish public, short-term mooring and docking facilities in Boston Harbor to boost public access via partnerships and RFPs.

Hearing scheduled for 04/08/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
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Bill Summary · H 905

Summary of H.905: An Act expanding pleasure boat access to Boston Harbor

Purpose and intent

H.905 seeks to expand public access to Boston Harbor for pleasure boating by directing state and municipal authorities with property in the City of Boston to actively identify and establish mooring and docking facilities. The bill emphasizes making these facilities available to the general public on short-term terms (hourly or daily), and to develop new public boating access, including on a seasonal basis.

Key provisions

  • Authority and mandate: All state and municipal agencies and authorities that own or control property within Boston are authorized and directed to identify and establish public mooring and docking facilities for pleasure boats in the City of Boston.
  • Public access and usage: Focus on increasing public availability of multiple locations for short-term public use (hourly/daily), with an emphasis on public navigation access to Boston Harbor and Harbor Islands.
  • Procurement and partnerships: Agencies must issue one or more public Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to solicit capital facilities development, operations, and maintenance services, including partnerships with private entities or other public agencies.
  • Property actions: Agencies may lease, purchase, or enter memoranda of agreement to facilitate the creation and operation of mooring/docking facilities.
  • Fees: Public agencies may charge reasonable market-rate fees to defray the costs of creating and maintaining facilities. Private or non-profit providers may still serve the public without being constrained by this section.
  • City of Boston funding: The City may expend funds from accounts created under section 5G of chapter 40 to fulfill this section.
  • Reporting: All relevant state and municipal entities must annually report on public tie-up, mooring, or docking locations within the City of Boston (including Inner Harbor and non-seasonal transient facilities) to the Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Public Access Board, by January 1 each year.

Affected entities

  • Primary: City of Boston, Massachusetts Port Authority, and other state and municipal agencies owning or controlling property in Boston.
  • Public and private partners: Private entities and non-profit providers capable of operating and maintaining public boating facilities.
  • General public: Pleasure boat operators and recreational users seeking short-term access to Boston Harbor.

Implementation timeline and procedural notes

  • Introduction: February 27, 2025.
  • Legislative action: Referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on February 27, 2025.
  • Hearing: Scheduled for April 8, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in room A-1.
  • Reporting cycle: Annual reports due by January 1 each year to the specified committees and agencies.
  • Related actions: Similar matter previously filed in 2023-2024 (House Bill 761). This bill is listed as House Docket No. 564 for the 2025-2026 session.

Potential impact

  • Public access: Could significantly broaden publicly accessible mooring/docking options in Boston Harbor, improving recreational boating opportunities.
  • Public financing and fees: Allows market-rate fees to fund facility creation and maintenance, with potential revenue streams offsetting costs.
  • Public–private partnerships: Encourages collaboration with private or non-profit operators while preserving public access.
  • Regulatory oversight: Establishes annual reporting requirements to ensure transparency and track progress.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text and actions as of the provided materials and does not represent an official endorsement or final legislative outcome.

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

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