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S 649

Authorizes funding to local government entities from the urban development corporation

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sean Ryan

Coastal communities that adopt this act must reserve at least 10% of CPA funds for preserving public coastal infrastructure, including beaches, dunes, and seawalls.

REFERRED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
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Bill Summary · S 649

Summary — S.649 (2025): Community Preservation Funds for Coastal Infrastructure

Short title: An Act relative to community preservation funds for coastal infrastructure
Primary petitioner/presenter (per docket): Sen. Patrick M. O’Connor (First Plymouth and Norfolk)
Statute amended: Chapter 44B, Section 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws
Introduced: February 20, 2025
Current status (per docket): Passed Senate (June 9, 2025); delivered to House and referred to Local Governments

Note: the bill text in the state docket is focused on Massachusetts’ Community Preservation Act (CPA). Some metadata provided (title “Authorizes funding to local government entities from the urban development corporation” and a list of federal sponsors) appears inconsistent with the Massachusetts docket; the operative bill language below is the state CPA amendment.

Purpose / Intent

To require that coastal communities that adopt this act reserve a minimum portion of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for preserving public coastal infrastructure—specifically beach nourishment, dune restoration, and seawall maintenance and reconstruction—thereby directing local CPA resources toward coastal resilience and protection.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 6 of Chapter 44B (CPA statute).
  • Adds a new mandatory allocation: in coastal communities that adopt the provisions of this act, "not less than 10 per cent" of CPA funds must be used for the preservation of public infrastructure through:
    • beach nourishment,
    • dune restoration, and
    • seawall maintenance and reconstruction.
  • The amendment is inserted alongside existing eligible CPA uses (e.g., open space, historic preservation, affordable housing, recreation).

Who is affected

  • Municipalities designated as coastal communities that choose to adopt this act (the bill applies only to communities that adopt the provisions).
  • Local Community Preservation Committees (CPCs), municipal treasuries, and town/city councils responsible for CPA budget allocations.
  • Projects and contractors involved in coastal protection, shoreline stabilization, and related engineering and environmental work.
  • Other local CPA-funded priorities (affordable housing, historic preservation, open space) — these may receive relatively less funding because of the 10% reservation.

Procedural history & timeline (selected)

  • Filed in Massachusetts Senate: Jan 13, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 513); introduced Feb 20, 2025.
  • Referred to Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (Feb 27, 2025).
  • Passed the Senate: June 9, 2025; delivered to the House and referred to Local Governments (June 9, 2025).
  • Hearings and related committee activity occurred between May and July 2025 (committee hearings and scheduling noted).

Potential fiscal and operational impact

  • Mandating at least 10% of CPA receipts for specific coastal infrastructure will shift funds toward resilience projects. The dollar impact will vary by community based on CPA revenue (local surcharge and state matching funds).
  • Could reduce the pool available for other CPA uses in adopting coastal communities, potentially affecting affordable housing, historic preservation, or recreational projects.
  • May accelerate local investments in shoreline protection and reduce future storm-related damages if effectively targeted.

Notes and ambiguities

  • Application is limited to "coastal communities that adopt the provisions of this act" — the mechanism for local adoption (e.g., local vote or city/town council action) should be clarified if enacted.
  • The docket contains some inconsistent metadata (alternate titles and sponsor lists) not reflected in the bill text; the summary above is based on the statutory language amending chapter 44B.

If you’d like, I can produce a one-page explainer for municipal officials showing example dollar impacts (based on typical CPA revenues) or draft draft ballot language a town could use to adopt the provision.

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

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