James E. Stewart Co-Op Board

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Adams and 45 co-sponsors

The bill requires three agencies (Agricultural Resources, DEP, and DPH) to consult and concur on groundwater protection decisions under Chapter 132B.

Scrivener's error corrected

Purpose

S.567 would amend the statutory role of the Massachusetts Pesticide Board and require greater interagency coordination when decisions are made about pesticides that could affect groundwater used for drinking water. The change is intended to strengthen protections for groundwater by ensuring the Departments responsible for environment and public health are formally involved in certain pesticide decisions.

Key provisions

Amends Section 3 of Chapter 132B (Mass. General Laws) by replacing the existing paragraph 5 with new language that:

Specifies that the Pesticide Board shall advise the Commissioner of the Department of Agricultural Resources (referred to in the bill as the commissioner of food and agriculture) on implementation and administration of Chapter 132B.
Requires the Commissioner of Food and Agriculture, when making decisions under Section 13 of Chapter 132B that concern the protection of groundwater sources of drinking water from pesticide contamination, to “consult and concur” with both:
the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and
the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health (DPH).

The amendment effectively creates a mandatory consultation and concurrence requirement among the three agencies (Agricultural Resources, DEP, DPH) for Section 13 decisions that relate to groundwater protection.

Who or what would be affected

State agencies: Commissioner of Food and Agriculture (lead decision‑maker under Chapter 132B), DEP, and DPH — these agencies would have an explicit, statutory role in decisions under Section 13 affecting groundwater.

The Pesticide Board — given a clear advisory role to the Commissioner of Food and Agriculture.

Regulated parties: pesticide registrants, applicators, agricultural interests, and entities seeking approvals or exceptions under Section 13; decisions may involve restrictions, conditions, or denials to protect groundwater.

Public water suppliers and drinking‑water consumers — potential increase in protections for groundwater sources.

Procedural status & timeline (selected)

Introduced in MA Senate: 01/10/2025 (Sen. Julian Cyr).

Referred to Environment and Natural Resources (2/27/2025); reported favorably and later referred to Senate Ways and Means (11/17/2025).

Amended on third reading as S567A (5/15/2025).

Substituted by A6277A (6/12/2025) — the bill was replaced by an Assembly companion/alternative bill for further consideration.

Potential impact

Raises the level of interagency review on pesticide decisions affecting groundwater, likely leading to more precautionary outcomes for drinking‑water protection.

May increase administrative steps and time for decisionmaking under Section 13 due to required consultation and concurrence.

Could result in additional restrictions or conditions on pesticide use near groundwater sources.

Note on metadata

Some record lines (committee names, sponsor lists) contain entries inconsistent with a Massachusetts state bill (e.g., names of U.S. senators, federal committee titles). The authoritative legislative text and sponsor for this measure are those on the Massachusetts docket: introduced by Senator Julian Cyr and enacted as an amendment to Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 132B.

Bill