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HD 511

An Act to assist municipal and district ratepayers

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jeff Roy

Requires regulatory impact statements before water-related rules, ensuring local cost impacts are analyzed and disclosed to protect ratepayers.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 511

Summary: An Act to assist municipal and district ratepayers (House Docket No. 511)

Overview

  • Purpose: To reevaluate and constrain how the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) and its subordinate agencies implement regulations, rules, or guidance related to water, wastewater, and stormwater that could impose costs on cities or towns. The bill aims to improve cost transparency, protect ratepayers, and ensure regulatory actions deliver net benefits.
  • Status: Not specified in the provided text. The bill is identified as a proposed measure in the 2025-2026 session, with an introduction in the House docket as No. 511.

Key Provisions

Section 1 — Local mandates

  • Creates a formal category called a “local mandate” for EOEEA proposals that impose additional costs on cities or towns. This includes:
    • Rules, regulations, or guidance that require a city/town to undertake new services or incur direct/indirect costs or redirect funds from existing activities.
    • Rules that relieve the state or counties of providing a service, forcing local entities to bear the cost.
  • Broadly defines “existing activity” as programs/services lawfully undertaken by a city/town under applicable authority.

Section 2 — Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) requirement

  • No EOEEA proposal affecting water, wastewater, and/or stormwater may become effective without a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS).
  • RIS must be filed with the secretary of state and publicly reviewed during the hearing process under G.L. Chapter 30A.
  • RIS contents must cover:
    • Problem/deficiency addressed; methodology and data sources.
    • Stakeholders affected and the extent of impact.
    • Effective dates, changes, and future review plans.
    • Immediate and long-term financial impacts on all parties (administrative, permitting, enforcement, capital, compliance, indirect costs).
    • Fiscal effects for the first and second years, plus a five-year projection (or permit term for EOEEA permits).
    • Specific benefits and, where possible, their monetary value.
  • The Secretary of Administration and Finance would adopt regulations to implement RIS requirements.

Section 3 — Stakeholder notification

  • EOEEA must maintain a list of stakeholders who request preliminary notice of proposals.
  • At least 30 days before the hearing notice, EOEEA must provide preliminary notification to listed stakeholders and to key legislative committees, the Office of the State Auditor, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
  • Notices must include the proposal scope, statutory authority, and contact person within EOEEA.

Section 4 — Administrative Procedures Act (APA) compliance

  • Proposals affecting water, wastewater, and/or stormwater must comply with the Massachusetts Administrative Procedures Act (Ch. 30A).
  • Aggrieved parties may seek relief via the Superior Court for lack of compliance.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary: EOEEA and its subordinate agencies, commissions, and boards.
  • Local governments: Cities and towns subject to EOEEA regulations, often bearing water/wastewater/stormwater costs.
  • Municipal ratepayers: Households and businesses whose bills may be affected by new or expanded regulatory costs.
  • State stakeholders: Legislative committees, the Office of the State Auditor, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association (for notification purposes).

Timeline and Procedural Elements

  • The bill requires:
    • Development and publication of a regulatory impact statement prior to effective regulation.
    • Preliminary stakeholder notification at least 30 days before hearings.
    • Compliance with the Massachusetts Administrative Procedures Act, with potential court relief for non-compliance.
  • The RIS must include five-year fiscal projections and quantified benefits where possible.
  • The act anticipates ongoing review and updates to RIS procedures under regulations by the administration and finance secretary.

Notes

  • The text provided is a 2025-2026 session bill; the Introduction date appears as January 9, 2025, though the user lists November 29, 2025 for HD 511. Status is not specified in the excerpt. The core provisions emphasize increased transparency, stakeholder engagement, and cost accountability for EOEEA actions that affect local governments.

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

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