An Act relative to a three-year coastal resiliency emergency management plan

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Chris Flanagan

A three-year CZMO study will assess coastal emergency management needs, readiness, assets, and costs to improve resiliency and inform future legislation.

Purpose

Establishes a three-year study led by the coastal zone management office (CZMO) within the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs to assess and enhance emergency management and coastal resiliency for Massachusetts coastal communities.

The study aims to evaluate needs, readiness, and response across state, regional, and municipal levels, and to identify actions, costs, and opportunities for mitigation and adaptation.

Key Provisions

Section 1 – Study Mandate (3 years)

The CZMO shall conduct a comprehensive study over three years to assess:
Needs, readiness, and response of emergency management systems for coastal communities and coastal resiliency.
Strengths and weaknesses of existing plans at the state, regional, and municipal levels.
Availability and adequacy of supplies, shelters, response assets, and volunteer recruitment capabilities.
Costs associated with emergency management responses, as well as mitigation and adaptation actions to improve coastal resiliency.

Section 2 – Reporting Requirement (by 2028-06-30)

The CZMO must submit a report detailing the study results.
The report should include any proposed legislation.
Deliverables to be provided to:
Clerks of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate.
Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management.
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

Who/What Would Be Affected

Primary Entity: Coastal Zone Management Office within the executive branch’s EEA.

Affected Stakeholders: Coastal communities, state agencies, regional organizations, and municipal governments involved in emergency management, as well as volunteers, shelters, response assets, and recruitment mechanisms.

The bill focuses on evaluating and improving coordination, capacity, and funding considerations rather than creating new immediate programs.

Timeline and Procedural Details

Study Duration: 3-year study period to be conducted by the CZMO.

Final Report Deadline: June 30, 2028.

Report Contents: Results of the study plus any proposed legislation.

Submission Recipients: House clerks, Senate clerks, and the two joint committees (Emergency Preparedness and Management; Environment and Natural Resources).

Status / Context: Proposed bill filed in the 2025-2026 session (House Docket No. 2013). Authored by Representative Christopher Richard Flanagan (Dennis). The text identifies a structured, non-appropriations-focused approach aimed at informing future policy.

Potential Impact

Provides a structured, data-backed assessment of coastal emergency management capabilities and resiliency needs.

Could inform future legislation or funding priorities based on identified gaps, costs, and recommended mitigation/adaptation actions.

Encourages coordination across state, regional, and municipal levels and may influence planning, shelters, supplies, and volunteer recruitment strategies over time.

This summary reflects the bill’s substantive provisions as presented: a multi-year study by the CZMO with a formal reporting obligation to key legislative bodies and officials.

Bill