Prior Policy Priorities

• An Act Increasing The Conservation Land Tax Credit (S.1986 / H.2960), sponsored by Sen. Tarrand Hinds; Reps. Jones and Pignatelli
  
  This bill would raise the annual cap under the Conservation Land Tax Credit (CLTC), the state income tax credit for donations of conservation land, from $2 million to $5 million - phased over three years. It would also amend the definition of a "public or private conservation agency" that may receive donations of land and provide a ten-year sunset.
  Sample Language for FY23 Senate Vote (May 2022)
  CLTC Fact Sheet (June 2022)
  CLTC sample script (June 2022)
   
• An Act Preserving Open Space in the Commonwealth (S.524 / H.851), sponsored by Sen. Eldridge and Rep. Balser. Passed November 18, 2022.
  
  Previously known as the Public Lands Protection Act (PLPA), this law prevent loss of constitutionally protected Article 97 lands by requiring replacement land, as well as notification to EEA prior to filing legislation to dispose of land. The legislation codifies EEA’s current "no net loss" policy.
  PLPA signed into law - Joint Statement (November 18, 2022)
  PLPA full bill language
  PLPA Enacted Joint Statement (November 10, 2022)
  Article 97 language
  PLPA Joint Statement (August 16, 2022)
  PLPA Joint Statement (August 2, 2022)
  PLPA fact sheet (April 19, 2022)
  PLPA support letter (June 21, 2022)
  PLPA support letter (March 1, 2022)
  PLPA support letter (Sept. 13, 2021)

MLTC also supports passage of:

• H.5034 / S.3030: An Act relating to economic growth and relief in the Commonwealth
  Letter of Support (September 9, 2022)
   
• S.603 / H.983: An Act establishing a Massachusetts flood risk protection program

This bill would require the state to create a new Flood Risk Protection Program (FRPP) to eliminate risk of flooding to homes and buildings by acquiring homes, small businesses, and nonprofit properties from interested owners and helping them relocate. The FRPP would cover inland and coastal properties and would be entirely voluntary. Once property is acquired, the legislation requires the removal of structures and the permanent conservation of the land. A new climate resilient landscape would serve as a natural buffer against flooding to protect communities and natural resources.
Flood Risk Protection Program Fact Sheet
Joint Flood Risk Protection Testimony Letter 12-7-21
 

• S.546: An Act to Reimburse the Inland Fisheries and Game Fund.

  S.546 would require the state to reimburse MassWildlife on an annual basis for loss in revenue resulting from issuing free and reduced licenses, helping to restore taxpayer-supported funds to conserve and manage critical fish and wildlife habitat and plant species. Currently the state does not reimburse  MassWildlife for loss of revenue associated with free licenses offered to residents over age 70, accounting for over $1 million per year in lost revenue.

• H.2198, An Act Relative to the Protection of Wetlands and Water Resources in Chapter 40B Applications 

  This bill would limit the extent to which waiver of municipal wetlands protection bylaws, ordinances, and regulations would be allowable in the permitting of affordable housing development projects applying under provisions of Chapter 40B.
  Supporting letter 7-27-21

• S.1875 / H.2831: An Act to reform payments in lieu of taxes for state-owned land
  
  This bill would change the way PILOT program payments for state-owned lands are calculated for municipalities, based on recommendations in the State Auditor’s December 2020 PILOT Report. The goal is to increase and equitably distribute of PILOT funds to make sure the formula no longer disadvantages smaller, rural communities.
  Supporting letter 1-28-22
   
• H.2977: An Act relative to the classification and taxation of urban public access land
  
  This bill would add a new chapter 61C entitled, Classification and Taxation of Urban Public Access Land. The bill incentivizes the protection of urban open space by reducing the acreage of land eligible for the Chapter 61 tax program to 5,000 square feet for land that is retained as defined open space or recreational resource open to the public. It also sets out parameters for valuation and changes of use.
   
• S.560: An Act Establishing the Office of Outdoor Recreation
  
  This bill would create a new office focused on outdoor recreation within EEA to support, promote and market outdoor recreational activities available throughout the state. The office would coordinate with other secretariats and nonprofit and business partners, stimulate economic development, and improve the quality of life, health, and well-being of residents and visitors to the Commonwealth. 
   
• S.556 / H.937: An Act providing for the public health by establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program in the Commonwealth
  
  This bill proposes comprehensive improvements to the way the state manages mosquitoes. It establishes a new Mosquito Management Office and new Mosquito Management Board within EEA and creates a system where pesticide use is allowed only for disease control under ecologically based management plans. It also creates streamlined notice and opt out requirements, and bans pesticides containing PFAS.
   
• S.2147 / H.3306:  An Act to Improve Outdoor Lighting, Conserve Energy, and Increase Dark-Sky Visibility
  
  This bill would promote energy-efficient lighting practices by requiring municipal- and state-funded projects to adopt standards for exterior lighting that meet best standards for human and wildlife habitat, require the Mass. Department of Transportation to update its criteria for road lighting, and require the Mass. Department of Public Utilities to establish incentives for energy efficient street lighting.

Solar Siting Joint Statement, October 1, 2021. Sub-title: Rapid, Responsible Deployment. Integrating and Aligning Climate Mitigation, Resiliency, Biodiversity, and Equity

As the session progresses, we’ll monitor additional bills that may warrant support or opposition from the land conservation community.

MLTC is an active supporter of the Green Budget Coalition, which advocates for environmental priorities in Massachusetts' state operating and capital budgets. For the FY22 operating budget, priorities include increasing the DCR State Parks and Recreation budget to $50 million, the Department of Environmental Protection budget to $40 million, $1 million for the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, $3.25 million for the Division of Ecological Restoration, and $160,000 for the State Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to hire staff to implement the new climate law as provided in the Senate budget.

Summary of Clean Energy and Nature Investments in the Infrastructure and Jobs Act (aka Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill) (November 8, 2021)
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Request Letter (July 19, 2021)