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H 892

Resolve to establish a special commission to perform an investigation and providing for a study relative to the long term management, maintenance and future use of the Boston Harbor Long and Moon Islands

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bruce Ayers

A special commission would study long-term management of Moon Island and potential future use of Long Island, delivering a non-binding master plan and recommendations by 2027.

Accompanied a study order, see H5149
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Bill Summary · H 892

Summary: House Bill H.892 (Resolve)

Overview

House Bill 892 proposes a resolve to establish a special commission tasked with investigating long-term management and maintenance of Moon Island and identifying a future use for Long Island in Boston Harbor. The commission would produce a non-binding master plan for Moon Island and draft recommendations and any necessary enabling legislation to carry out its findings by December 1, 2027.

Purpose and Scope

  • Establish a special commission to study and provide guidance on:
    • Long-term management and maintenance of Moon Island.
    • Projected future use of Long Island.
  • Promote environmental oversight and preservation of these harbor islands while exploring potential uses.

Commission Composition

The commission would include:
- Two members of the Senate (appointed by the Senate President).
- Two members of the House (appointed by the House Speaker).
- The Mayor of Boston or designee.
- A district Boston City Councilor.
- The Mayor of Quincy or designee.
- A district Quincy City Councilor.
- One representative of the National Park Service.
- The Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs or designee.
- One individual representing conservation/environmental interests (appointed by the Secretary).
- The Executive Director of the Squantum Neighborhood Association or designee.

Key Provisions and Requirements

  • The Commission shall report to the House and Senate within 180 days after passage, detailing results of the investigation and study for preserving Moon Island, and a non-binding master plan for the future use of Long Island.
  • The Commission shall file recommendations for further environmental oversight and preservation, along with any drafts of legislation needed to implement its recommendations, no later than December 1, 2027.
  • The bill authorizes the Commission to operate notwithstanding any general or local law to the contrary, emphasizing its standalone, study-focused mandate.

Timeline and Procedural Details

  • Introduction: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (same date).
  • Hearing scheduled: October 21, 2025, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM in room A-1.
  • 180-day reporting deadline to the Legislature after passage.
  • Final statutory drafting deadline for enabling legislation: December 1, 2027.

Relationship to Prior Legislation

  • Related matter previously filed in the 2023-2024 session as House No. 748 (referred to as similar in this session).

Affected Parties and Potential Impacts

  • State and local government: Boston and Quincy mayors and city councils; Commonwealth agencies including the National Park Service and the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.
  • Conservation and environmental groups and residents (via the Squantum Neighborhood Association).
  • Expected outcomes include a better-defined long-term stewardship plan for Moon Island and a clearer vision for Long Island’s future use, potentially guiding future legislation or preservation actions.

Fiscal/Administrative Notes

  • The text does not specify an appropriation or funding mechanism for the Commission. Any costs would likely be addressed in subsequent enabling legislation or through existing agency resources.

Status

  • Hearing scheduled for October 21, 2025.
  • As of filing, the bill has been referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

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

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