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S 583

An Act promoting climate safe buildings

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 3 co-sponsors

Promotes climate-safe buildings by reforming the state building code to require climate resilience, flood-risk planning, and energy efficiency through a new 17-member standards boa

Accompanied a study order, see S2718
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Bill Summary · S 583

Summary: S.583 — An Act promoting climate safe buildings

Overview

S.583, introduced on February 13, 2025, seeks to reform Massachusetts’ building code framework to enhance climate resilience and energy efficiency. The bill would add new definitions, reorganize the board that adopts the state building code, and expand the board’s and code standards to explicitly address climate risks, flood risk, and environmental justice considerations. It is currently paired with a study order (S2718) and has undergone committee referrals. The stated intent is to promote climate-safe, resilient construction while removing unnecessary or outdated regulations, so long as health and safety are not compromised.

What the bill would do

  • Create new definitions to guide climate-focused building policy, including:
    • Expanded floodplain map
    • Base flood elevation
    • Climate resilience
    • Climate risks
    • Environmental justice population
    • Exceptional non-financial hardship
  • Reconstitute the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards (SBRS) as the main body adopting and administering the state building code, with 17 voting members (including ex officio members) and 13 gubernatorial appointees representing diverse building and safety expertise.
  • Require the board to pursue objective, performance-based standards that emphasize:
    • Uniform construction standards aligned with engineering, fire prevention, energy conservation, climate resilience, and public health.
    • Adoption of modern techniques and technologies that lower life-cycle costs and reduce climate damage without compromising occupant safety.
    • Elimination of obsolete or unnecessary requirements that raise costs or delay new materials, while preserving health, safety, and climate resilience where necessary.
  • Expand the scope of code-making to explicitly address climate-related risks and resilience in design, materials, and operations (as part of the board’s duties under Section 95).
  • Potentially adjust local governance language and regulatory interactions (Section 98 references a local/municipal provision, though the text in the bill excerpt is truncated).

Who would be affected

  • Building professionals: architects, engineers (mechanical and structural), building contractors, and inspectors.
  • Local building departments and fire departments, which would interface with the updated state building code.
  • State agencies: Office/Division of Occupational Licensure, Energy Resources, and the State Fire Marshal (as part of the board’s ex officio roles).
  • Environmental justice communities, by integrating environmental justice population considerations into code and planning.
  • Developers, homeowners, and the construction industry at large, due to changes in standards, potential flood-risk mapping, and resilience requirements.
  • Insurers and flood programs (e.g., NFIP) through alignment with flood risk and resilience standards.

Key provisions and changes (highlights)

  • New definitions to guide climate adaptation and flood-risk planning.
  • Establishment of a 17-member state building regulations and standards board with diverse professional representation and multi-year terms.
  • Board duties to prioritize performance-based, resilient design, modern construction methods, and elimination of unnecessary regulations.
  • Emphasis on climate resilience, energy efficiency, and climate risk reduction within state building standards.
  • Integrated approach to flood risk via expanded floodplain mapping and related flood-elevation concepts.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Filing date: January 7, 2025; introduced February 13, 2025.
  • Initial actions: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; also referred to Environment and Natural Resources (Feb 27, 2025).
  • Status: Accompanied by a study order (S2718) as of November 13, 2025.
  • Hearing: Scheduled for September 2, 2025 (as part of ongoing committee consideration).
  • Related activity: Companion and related measures exist (HR 1295; SD 117; previous similar matter S.473, 2023-2024).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Positive: Strengthened climate resilience in building construction; clearer, modernized standards; explicit attention to flood risk and environmental justice.
  • Costs: Potential upfront construction cost increases or administrative costs to comply with new standards; proponents would argue long-term life-cycle savings and hazard mitigation.
  • Local implementation: Municipalities may need to align zoning and permitting with expanded floodplain maps and resilience requirements.
  • Oversight: The accompanying study order (S2718) may shape timelines and provide initial guidance or findings before full enactment.

Sponsors and related bills

  • Primary sponsor: Lydia Edwards. Cosponsors include Joanne M. Comerford and Sal N. DiDomenico; a Senate version also involves Tim Sheehy (and references related bills HR 1295 and SD 117; S.473 from 2023-24 as a related matter).
  • Related companion/alternates: HR 1295 (companion); SD 117 (replaces), with similar policy objectives.

This summary focuses on the bill’s substantive provisions, its potential impact on building practice and policy, and its current legislative status.

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

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