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H 1018

An Act updating the management of the Commonwealth's water resources

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Alice Peisch

Updates water-resource rules to guarantee renewal volumes for filed registrations, while requiring metering to document baseline use and balance withdrawals in basins.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 1018

Summary of H.1018: An Act updating the management of the Commonwealth's water resources

Overview

  • Bill number: H 1018
  • Title: An Act updating the management of the Commonwealth's water resources
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Filed / Docket: Filed January 17, 2025; House Docket No. 3442
  • Sponsor: Representative Alice Hanlon Peisch (Wellesley)
  • Status: Referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee; reported favorably by committee and referred to the Committee on House Ways and Means (Legislative Actions indicate a favorable committee report and referral to Ways and Means)
  • Hearing: Scheduled for June 17, 2025 (01:00 PM–05:00 PM, in A-1)

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to update the Commonwealth’s water-resource management framework to:
- Improve comprehensive management of water resources within river basins.
- Balance competing water withdrawals and uses.
- Preserve the water resource itself.
- Document baseline water use and ensure accurate measurement of water withdrawals.

These objectives are reflected in enhancements to definitions within the Water Management Act (Chapter 21G) and in the handling of renewal registrations.

Key provisions (amendments to Chapter 21G)

  1. Definition of “Permit” (Section 2)

    • Adds language clarifying that the permit program is intended to assist the department in comprehensively managing water resources within river basins.
    • Emphasizes balancing competing withdrawals/usages and preserving the resource.

  2. Definition of “Registration statement” (Section 2)

    • Adds language stating that the registration statement is intended to enable the department to document baseline water use in the Commonwealth.

  3. Section 5 – Renewal registrations (Section 3)

    • Provides that all properly filed water management act renewal registration statements entitle registrants to their registered water-use volumes without conditions.
    • Allows the department to require proper metering or other means to accurately measure the volume of water withdrawn under a renewal registration.
    • Prohibits regulations that impose other conditions on renewal withdrawals beyond measurement of volume.

Affected parties and impacts

  • Municipalities and water districts: Direct impact through renewal registrations and the need (or absence) of conditions on renewals; clarity on baseline use documentation and metering requirements.
  • Water users and developers: Individuals or entities relying on renewal registrations would gain a guaranteed entitlement to their registered volumes, subject to metering accuracy.
  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (or relevant state department): The bill clarifies the department’s authority to require metering for accurate volume measurement but limits additional conditions on renewal volumes.
  • Regulatory framework: The bill targets the balance and documentation aspects of water management, potentially affecting how permits and registrations are issued and renewed.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • House actions: Introduced February 27, 2025; referred to Environment and Natural Resources. The committee reportedly gave a favorable disposition and referred the bill to the House Ways and Means Committee.
  • Hearing: Scheduled for June 17, 2025 (A-1, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM).
  • Next steps: If the Ways and Means Committee advances the bill, it would proceed through the usual legislative process toward potential floor action and passage in both chambers.

Context and notes

  • A related measure previously filed in a prior session is referenced (House No. 879 of 2023-2024), indicating ongoing interest in updating water-resource management.
  • The changes emphasize baseline documentation and measurement, while limiting additional conditions on renewal volumes to meters or equivalent measurement methods.

This summary captures the bill’s core changes to definitions in Chapter 21G and the renewal-registration provisions, along with the anticipated impacts on regulated water use and data collection.

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

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