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S 593

Ray and Denise Flynn

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Thomas Alexander

The bill reduces administrative burden by extending plan update intervals, capping continuing education hours for TUR professionals, and exempting legally mandated toxic uses from

Introduced and adopted
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 593

Summary — S.593: "An Act to reform the toxic use reduction act"

Purpose / Intent

S.593 amends Massachusetts’ Toxic Use Reduction Act (chapter 21I) to change the timing and administrative requirements for toxics use reduction (TUR) planning and certification, to cap continuing education requirements for certified TUR professionals, and to exempt certain legally-mandated uses of toxic substances from fee requirements. The stated intent is to reduce administrative burden and clarify compliance obligations for large quantity toxics users and certified professionals.

Key provisions

  • Planning schedule (Amends §11(A)(1)):

    • Requires each “large quantity toxics user” to prepare and complete a toxics use reduction plan on a department-established schedule, but no more frequently than once every six years.
    • Plans must be prepared in an even-numbered year or when a new toxic substance is first used at a facility.

  • Update frequency (Amends §11(D)):

    • After an initial plan, subsequent plans/updates are required “by July 1, two years after the first plan, and then every six years.”

  • Plan summary filing (Amends §11(F)):

    • Large quantity toxics users must file a plan summary with the department on or before July 1 of the year in which a TUR plan is due.

  • Certification length and renewal (Amends §12(C)):

    • Certifications limited to a maximum six-year term and renewable in additional six-year periods.

  • Continuing education caps (new language in §12(C)):

    • For individuals certified under §12(A): initial recertification and renewal CE not to exceed 45 hours per certification period; subsequent recertification/renewal CE not to exceed 36 hours.
    • For individuals certified under §12(B): CE for initial recertification, renewal, and subsequent recertification/renewal not to exceed 36 hours per certification period.

  • Fee exemption for legally mandated uses (new §19(I)):

    • Fees under §19 do not apply to uses of toxic substances that are mandated by law, regulation, product/drug registration, or U.S. governmental design specifications (including military, DHS, etc.) or other legally enforceable requirements.
    • Applicability is determined by a toxics user submitting an affidavit identifying (to the extent allowed by national security/confidentiality rules) the governmental body and requirement necessitating the use.

Who is affected

  • Large quantity toxics users (facilities required to file TUR reports and maintain plans).
  • TUR-certified professionals (certification term length, CE requirements).
  • Massachusetts Department responsible for TUR implementation and fee collection.
  • Entities using toxic substances due to legally binding government requirements (may receive fee exemptions).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Compliance cost reduction: Less frequent required plan updates and capped CE hours may lower administrative and training costs.
  • Oversight and data freshness: Six‑year intervals could reduce timeliness of facility-level toxics data and TUR progress tracking.
  • Revenue and enforcement: Fee exemptions for mandated uses may reduce fee income and require verification mechanisms; affidavit process may conflict with national security or confidentiality constraints.
  • Implementation details (scheduling by department, affidavit review) will shape practical effects.

Legislative status & timeline

  • Introduced: Feb 13, 2025
  • Committee referrals: Environment & Public Works; Environment and Natural Resources; subsequently referred to Agriculture after delivery to the Assembly.
  • Committee hearing scheduled: June 17, 2025 (1:00–5:00 PM, A‑1)
  • Senate actions: Passed Senate (reported delivered to Assembly March 3, 2025)
  • Related/companion measures: HR 1768, HR 1346, A 9105, SD 888 (replaces), and several prior-session bills listed.

Sponsors

Primary sponsors listed include Ryan C. Fattman (presenting the bill in MA Senate) and Michelle Hinchey; an extensive list of additional cosponsors is recorded in the provided materials.

If you’d like, I can draft a one‑page side-by-side comparison of current law vs. proposed changes showing affected statutory language and compliance dates.

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

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