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HD 3411

An Act pertaining to regional resilience and flood protection entities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 4 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill authorizes municipalities to form regional flood protection districts with shared governance and funding to coordinate climate resilience and stormwater management infrastructure.

Transmitted to the Secretary of State
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 3411

Legislative bill overview

HD 3411 establishes a framework for creating regional resilience and flood protection entities in Massachusetts, enabling municipalities to collaborate on flood mitigation and climate adaptation infrastructure projects. The bill allows communities to form special districts or partnerships with dedicated funding mechanisms and governance structures to address regional water management and flooding challenges.

Why is this important

Massachusetts faces increasing flood risks from sea-level rise, intense precipitation events, and aging stormwater infrastructure. By enabling regional cooperation rather than forcing individual municipal responses, the bill could improve cost-efficiency, coordinate emergency response, and implement larger-scale resilience projects that benefit multiple communities simultaneously.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanisms: The bill's approach to financing regional entities (property taxes, state grants, federal funds) may burden some municipalities differently, raising equity concerns about cost-sharing formulas
  • Local control vs. regional authority: Municipalities may resist ceding decision-making power to regional entities, particularly regarding land use, zoning, or infrastructure priorities that affect individual towns
  • Implementation timeline and complexity: Creating new governmental entities requires regulatory clarity on permitting, liability, maintenance responsibilities, and operational standards that the bill may not fully address

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

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