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Bill

S 1936

An Act maintaining the state disaster relief and resiliency trust fund

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Brady and 8 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill creates dedicated trust fund to finance disaster relief, recovery, and climate resilience efforts through stable, predictable state funding rather than emergency appropriations.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · S 1936

Legislative bill overview

S 1936 establishes and maintains a dedicated state disaster relief and resiliency trust fund in Massachusetts to provide financial resources for emergency response, recovery, and prevention of natural disasters and climate-related events. The bill received favorable committee review and is currently under consideration by the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which determines fiscal appropriations and funding mechanisms.

Why is this important

Disaster relief funding mechanisms directly affect how quickly and effectively communities recover from emergencies like hurricanes, flooding, and winter storms. Creating a dedicated trust fund provides more stable, predictable financing for disaster response compared to requesting emergency appropriations after each event, potentially reducing response delays and administrative costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source: How the trust fund is capitalized and maintained (tax increases, general revenue reallocation, or fees) will face scrutiny, particularly during budget constraints
  • Fund sufficiency: Questions about whether trust fund reserves will be adequate for catastrophic events or whether supplemental appropriations would still be necessary
  • Spending oversight: Definitions of eligible disaster types, geographic priorities, and prevention versus recovery spending could create disputes over resource allocation

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

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