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HD 1778

Resolve establishing a commission on infrastructure resilience

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tom Walsh

Creates a 13-member Massachusetts special commission to study utility and water infrastructure resilience, identify gaps, develop a strategic plan, and report by July 31, 2026.

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Bill Summary · HD 1778

Summary: Resolve establishing a commission on infrastructure resilience (HD 1778)

Overview

This proposed Massachusetts resolve would create a special commission tasked with studying utility and water-supply resilience in the commonwealth. The goal is to identify security gaps, develop a strategic plan to address weaknesses, better protect infrastructure assets, and improve coordination among state and local agencies, utilities, and emergency responders.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment of a special commission on infrastructure resilience.
  • Purpose: study utility and water supply resilience, identify gaps, and develop a strategic plan to address shortcomings and enhance coordination across agencies and responders.
  • The commission may consult with relevant experts to support its objectives and the production of its report.

Commission Composition

The commission would consist of 13 members:
- Chair: Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), or a designee.
- House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy (or their designees).
- Executive Director of the American Petroleum Institute (or designee).
- President of ISO-New England (or designee).
- Chair of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (or designee).
- Governor: appoints three members (one from the petroleum or natural gas pipeline industry).
- Speaker of the House: appoints two members (one from the telecommunications industry).
- President of the Senate: appoints two members (one from the electricity generating industry).

Scope and Activities

  • Investigate the current status of infrastructure resilience in Massachusetts.
  • Identify and assess gaps in security and vulnerabilities in infrastructure.
  • Develop a plan and timeline for a statewide infrastructure resilience needs assessment, to be conducted under the direction of EOPSS.
  • Explore best practices from industry groups, government bodies, and experts.
  • Assess the current capacity of sectors to implement recommendations.
  • Report on other matters deemed relevant or priority by the commission.
  • The commission may consult with experts to support its objectives and reporting.

Reporting Timeline

  • The commission must file its report and recommendations with the clerks of the Senate and House, and the relevant Ways and Means and Energy/Utilities committees, no later than July 31, 2026.

Effect and Implementation

  • Section 2 states the act takes effect upon passage.
  • This is a study-and-reporting mechanism; it does not by itself mandate immediate policy changes but could inform future legislation or administrative actions based on the commission’s findings.

Potential Impact

  • Creates cross-sector, high-level collaboration among state agencies, utilities, industry representatives, and policymakers.
  • Produces a formal, timely assessment of resilience needs for critical infrastructure (utilities and water), along with a strategic plan and implementation timeline.
  • Could guide future investments, security enhancements, and coordination efforts among state and local entities, utilities, and emergency responders.

Procedural Status and Context

  • Filed January 15, 2025 as House Docket No. 3437 (HD 1778) and described as a petition for a resolve establishing a commission on infrastructure resilience.
  • Note: The bill’s text references a similar measure filed in a prior session (House No. 3128 of 2023-2024). The status section here shows a 2025-2026 framing with a proliferation of dated materials. This summary reflects the content as provided.

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

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