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Bill

H 3030

An Act maintaining the state disaster relief and resiliency trust fund

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 15 co-sponsors

Massachusetts establishes a dedicated state disaster relief and resiliency trust fund to provide sustained financing for emergency response and community recovery from natural disasters.

Accompanied a study order, see H5238
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Bill Summary · H 3030

Legislative bill overview

H 3030 establishes and maintains a dedicated state disaster relief and resiliency trust fund in Massachusetts to finance emergency response and recovery efforts from natural disasters and climate-related events. The bill creates a mechanism to accumulate and allocate resources specifically for disaster preparedness, response, and long-term community resilience without requiring annual appropriations.

Why is this important

Massachusetts faces increasing exposure to hurricanes, nor'easters, flooding, and other climate-related disasters that strain emergency budgets and delay recovery. A dedicated trust fund provides predictable, continuous funding for disaster response rather than relying on reactive appropriations after disasters occur, potentially reducing response times and improving community preparedness infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source uncertainty: The bill text does not specify how the trust fund will be capitalized or replenished—whether through general revenues, dedicated taxes, bond issuance, or insurance mechanisms—which determines actual fiscal impact
  • Fund adequacy concerns: Questions about whether dedicated funding levels will match realistic disaster costs, particularly as climate-related events increase in frequency and severity
  • Competing budget priorities: Dedicated trust funds may be perceived as reducing flexibility in state budgeting or diverting resources from other infrastructure and social programs during fiscal constraints

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

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