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HD 2138

An Act to establish a grant and loan program for low noise, low emissions landscape maintenance equipment

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Ciccolo

The bill creates a state grant and 0% loan program to replace gas-powered landscape equipment with electric, low-noise, low-emission gear for small businesses and municipalities.

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Bill Summary · HD 2138

Summary of House Bill HD 2138: An Act to establish a grant and loan program for low noise, low emissions landscape maintenance equipment

Purpose and intent

  • Create a targeted incentive program within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) to help small businesses and municipalities transition from gas-powered to low-noise, low-emissions landscape maintenance equipment.
  • Achieve reduced noise and air emissions from landscape maintenance operations through accelerated adoption of electric equipment.

Key provisions

  • Establishment and administration

    • Adds a new grant and loan program under Chapter 21A of the General Laws, to be administered by the EEA.
    • Creates the Low Noise, Low Emissions Landscape Maintenance Equipment Trust Fund; the secretary of energy and environmental affairs serves as trustee and can expend fund money without additional appropriation.
    • Funds credited to the Trust Fund are not subject to further appropriation and any unused balance carries over from year to year. Annual reporting on expenditures is required.

  • Eligibility and commitments

    • Eligible recipients: small businesses and municipalities in Massachusetts.
    • Eligibility condition: to receive a grant, the recipient must surrender gas-powered landscape maintenance equipment for a one-for-one replacement with electric, low-noise, low-emissions equipment.

  • Authorized uses of grant/loan funds (Section 29(c))

    1. Purchasing electric landscape maintenance equipment.
    2. Training staff on use and care of electric equipment.
    3. Covering operational costs incurred during the transition from gas-powered to electric equipment.
    4. Other transition-related costs as determined by the secretary.

  • Financial terms

    • Loans awarded under the program carry 0 percent interest.

  • Oversight and reporting

    • The secretary must annually report by August 1 to the House and Senate committees on Ways and Means and to the chairs of the joint committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (ENRA) regarding expenditures and activity within the Trust Fund.

Affected parties

  • Small businesses and municipalities in Massachusetts engaged in landscape maintenance activities (e.g., municipalities maintaining parks, public grounds, and other public spaces; private landscape contractors).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill designates the program and fund creation, with ongoing administration and an annual reporting requirement.
  • Specific implementation dates or trigger timelines are not stated in the text provided; the fund appears to be designed for ongoing use with annual oversight.

Potential impact

  • Environmental: Lower emissions and reduced noise from landscape maintenance equipment as gas-powered units are replaced with electric alternatives.
  • Economic: Provides grant and loan support, including free-internal financing (0% loans) and training, easing the capital burden for small businesses and municipalities during the transition.
  • Operational: Requires replacement of equipment on a one-for-one basis, which could influence equipment turnover pacing and procurement planning.

Notes

  • The status field in the summary is not provided in the text; the bill appears in the 2025-2026 General Court under House Docket No. 2138 (introduced as House No. 909). If you need the latest status, I can check the most recent legislative record.

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

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