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May 2026 Legislative Update
Senate Passes Mass Ready Act; Adopts UCANE Amendment to Strengthen WIAC
In mid-April, the Massachusetts Senate passed the environmental bond bill, Senate Bill 3064, An Act to Build Resilience for Massachusetts Communities (aka. the Mass Ready Act). The bill, which includes approximately $3.94 billion in bonding authorizations, features policy proposals such as the preservation of public beach access, expedited timelines for culvert replacement projects, and requirements to inform prospective homebuyers and renters of flood risks. UCANE is grateful to the Senate for including an amendment to expand the strategy and planning that goes into efforts to continue to close the water infrastructure funding gap.
In particular, the Senate’s version of the Mass Ready Act would authorize state borrowing to invest in a resilient environment and an accessible natural world. According to the Senate President’s Office, the bonding authorizations support priorities in five key areas:
- Guarding Against Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events. Highlighted by $500 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, supporting climate resiliency planning in cities and towns.
- Protecting Clean Drinking Water and Soil. $450 million for the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust to protect access to clean water across the Commonwealth, in addition to $120 million for PFAS remediation in public and private wells. $125.5 million to support resource conservation and preservation initiatives, including $5.5 million for the Healthy Soils Grant Program.
- Investing in Infrastructure. $225 million for coastal infrastructure and resilience. $800.5 million for properties and roadways owned and managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). $521.6 million for state and municipally owned dams across the Commonwealth.
- Conserving the Natural World. $50 million for MassTrails Grants, including $10 million for accessibility upgrades that protect access to trails for all Massachusetts residents. $20 million to support the biodiversity goals of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG).
- Supporting Farmers and Nutritional Food Access. $20 million for capital investments to support the growth and economic competitiveness of the Commonwealth’s agricultural, commercial fishing and cranberry-growing sectors. $132.5 million for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) program including $7.5 million for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program (MFTP) to increase access to healthy, affordable food.
UCANE filed two amendments to the Senate’s version of the environmental bond bill: one amendment to address treating police details as an administrative item during the bid process and one amendment to refine the focus of the statutorily created Water Infrastructure Advisory Committee (WIAC). UCANE has long argued that the mission of the WIAC, which was created as part of Chapter 259 of the Acts of 2014, is too undefined. The existing mission of the WIAC is simply to “to monitor the progress of closing the gap in funding for water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure.” Given the rise of issues associated with stormwater, PFAS, lead and other matters not fully contemplated in 2014, the adopted amendment ensures the WIAC’s mission is updated to assess the potential funding gap and costs necessary to close the Commonwealth’s water infrastructure gap. UCANE thanks the Massachusetts Senate for including this more focused and updated mission language within the Mass Ready Act.
The Massachusetts Senate passed the bill on a 36-3 roll call vote. The bill, which now sits in front of the House Committee on Ways and Means, can be viewed at: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S3064. The more refined mission for the WIAC can be found in Section 15 of the bill.
House Passes FY27 Budget; UCANE Weighs in on Key Issues
In late April, the Massachusetts House of Representatives approved its fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget proposal, totaling $63.41 billion. Over the course of three days of debate, the House added $82.9 million in new spending to their budget proposal for FY27; approximately $1 million more than the total amount of new spending added in FY26 and $4 million less than the three-year average of House debate spending of $86.9 million. Total spending in the House budget is $63.14 billion, slightly higher ($53.8 million) than the Governor’s original proposal.
While this marks first time since the FY24 budget process that the final House budget includes a higher spending total than the Administration’s recommendation; the gap between the two spending plans remains at less than 1 percent. According to a report by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation (MTF), the House added 815 earmarks to its budget during debate, leading to $74.5 million in new spending. This was 26 more earmarks than were added during the House’s FY26 budget process. The number of earmarks added to the budget – in both the House and Senate – has steadily increased over the last several years.
Key Funding Highlights for UCANE’s Areas of Interest:
· Level funding of $63.3 million for the Clean Water Trust’s contract assistance.
· $1.5 million for the Commonwealth Sewer Rate Relief Fund.
· $5.9 million for the underground storage tank program.
· Slightly over $51.1 million in funding for the MassDEP.
UCANE, in addition to reviewing the over 1,700 budget amendments offered to the FY27, the association weighed in with support on two of the proffered amendments (increasing the MassDEP’s administrative line-item and further delaying ACT/HDO rules if held legal) and in opposition to one amendment (applying prevailing wage to offsite fabrication). In supporting an increase to the MassDEP line-item, UCANE wrote that:
“With increased funding for its operating line-item (2200-0100), the MassDEP can do incredible work in maximizing the SRF program and address the many water infrastructure issues facing the Commonwealth. This not only benefits the Commonwealth, but directly assists municipalities and their residents who rely on the MassDEP’s expertise in navigating the SRF process. From UCANE’s perspective, any increase in municipalities utilizing the SRF program means more construction work and, accordingly, the creation of more good paying jobs. As the Commonwealth tries to continue its economic growth in the light of softening revenues, programs that create job growth while improving our infrastructure are vitally important.”
While the House did not adopt language relative to increasing the MassDEP’s line-item, the overall budget process usually sees the line-item increased in subsequent drafts. In opposition to an amendment trying to apply prevailing wage to offsite fabrication, UCANE joined with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Associated General Contractors, Massachusetts (AGCMA), Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts (ASM), Construction Industries of Massachusetts (CIM), and the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, Massachusetts (NAIOPMA) in successfully opposing the same.
The Massachusetts Senate will present its own budget in early May. Following that, a Conference Committee will be formed to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions before the July 1 deadline marking the start of FY27.
For more details on the House FY27 budget, visit: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/HouseBudget
Wrangling Over Ballot Questions Continues; SJC Enters the Fray
The Massachusetts
Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) recently issued closely watched advisory opinions
on two proposed 2026 ballot questions aimed at reforming the Legislature—one
targeting legislative stipends and the other expanding application of the
public records law. The opinions were requested by the Massachusetts Senate,
which invoked a rarely used constitutional mechanism to seek guidance on
whether the initiatives comply with separation‑of‑powers principles. While
advisory opinions are not legally binding, they carry significant weight and
are likely to shape both legislative action and the trajectory of the ballot
campaigns heading toward the November election.
On the proposed reform of legislative stipends, the justices expressed
substantial constitutional concerns. The measure would condition lawmakers’
eligibility for additional compensation on compliance with procedural and
performance requirements tied to legislative activity. The court concluded
that, while compensation itself can be addressed through the initiative
process, the proposal appears to go further by attempting to regulate internal
legislative procedures—an area constitutionally reserved to the House and
Senate. As a result, the justices signaled that the stipend proposal likely
exceeds the permissible scope of a ballot initiative by intruding on the
Legislature’s authority to govern its own rules and operations.
In contrast, the court took a more favorable view of the proposed public
records ballot question. That measure would extend Massachusetts’ public
records law to cover the Legislature and the Governor’s Office—entities
historically exempt from its reach. The justices concluded that the proposal
constitutes a valid “law” rather than an impermissible attempt to dictate
internal legislative procedure, emphasizing that its primary purpose is to
create a new public right of access to government records rather than to
regulate how the Legislature conducts its internal business. This distinction
allows the public records initiative to proceed on firmer constitutional
footing, setting up a clear divergence between the two reform efforts as they
advance toward
The SJC’s work is not done yet. The ballot question relative to reducing the income tax from five percent to four percent faces scrutiny in May as opponents attempt to strike it from the ballot as a result of its potentially impermissible wording. In addition, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance (ANF) recently released a memorandum highlighting that passage of the income tax ballot may jeopardize separate charitable giving and corporate tax relief provisions – resulting in taxpayers being unable to claim relief under either provision. Expect more news related to the income tax ballot initiative as we approach the end of the legislative session in July.
Administration Awards $10.3 Million to Address Emerging Contaminants like PFAS and Manganese in Drinking Water
In April, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that more than $10.3 million in grants have been awarded to 18 public water suppliers to promote consistent access to clean drinking water for Massachusetts residents. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) selected these projects to help treat and remove contaminants such as PFAS and manganese. This grant program is federally funded; MassDEP collaborates with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support projects that assist small and disadvantaged communities to address drinking water contaminants, including those identified on EPA’s Contaminant Candidate Lists.
According to the press release from the MassDEP, PFAS and manganese are among the list of contaminants that are increasingly impacting water resources. PFAS are a group of harmful man-made chemicals widely used in common consumer products, industrial processes, and in certain firefighting foams. Exposure to sufficiently elevated levels of PFAS compounds can cause a variety of health effects, including developmental effects in infants, impacts to certain organ functions and the immune system, and an elevated cancer risk. Manganese is a naturally occurring element that is present in water, soil, air, and food. While a small amount of manganese is necessary for good health, long-term exposure to high levels in drinking water may have adverse impacts to the human nervous system.
Among some of the public water system projects receiving grant awards, included but were not limited to:
§ East Brookfield Water Department, East Brookfield ($500,000). The public water system will use these funds to provide treatment for removal of iron and manganese from an existing well, along with construction of new well and treatment plant.
§ Falmouth Water Department, Falmouth ($250,000). The public water system will use these funds for an evaluation and assessment of source water (including for PFAS and Manganese) at existing and previously installed wells along with the permitting and development of new source water to begin the planning and design of a new treatment facility.
§ Huntington Water Department, Huntington ($700,000). The public water system will use these funds for connection of a household with PFAS contamination to the existing public water system and testing of neighboring private wells.
§ Maynard DPW, Water Division, Maynard ($2,300,000). The public water system will use these funds for pilot testing and a feasibility study for PFAS and manganese removal and to begin the planning and design of a combined treatment system.
§ Milford Water Department, Milford ($1,000,000). The public water system will use these funds for a pilot study to evaluate alternative PFAS removal processes for the design of a new water treatment plant, and for construction of the water treatment plant.
§ Norton Water Department, Norton - $1,500,000. The public water system will use these funds for an alternatives analysis and pilot testing to address PFAS and manganese at two well sources, and to address PFAS at an existing treatment plant.
§ Rowley Water Department, Rowley ($1,500,000). The public water system will use these funds for piloting, planning and design, and construction of a new water treatment system to remove PFAS from the source water.
§ Templeton Municipal Light and Water Plant, Templeton ($500,000). The public water system will use these funds for a pilot testing and feasibility study to address PFAS, and to begin the planning and design for construction of a water treatment facility.
§ Ware Water Department, Ware ($500,000). The public water system will use these funds for pilot testing and a feasibility study for PFAS and Manganese removal along with the planning and design of a new water treatment plant.
§ Webster Water Department, Webster ($500,000). The public water system will use these funds for the construction of two new PFAS treatment facilities to remove PFAS from two water system wells.
For more information about grants available under the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities program, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/emerging-contaminants-in-small-or-disadvantaged-communities-grant.
News in Brief
Commonwealth Returns to Adding … Some Jobs. The end of April saw the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development release March 2026 jobs figures. Preliminary data shows that the state added 6,800 jobs, shortly after Massachusetts lost 7,200 jobs in February. Overall, state data shows Massachusetts lost 7,500 jobs since March 2025, although it added 12,700 jobs over the past six months. The Massachusetts unemployment rate landed at 4.7% in March, ticking down from February’s 4.8% but up from 4.3% in March 2025.The national unemployment rate was 4.3% in March. The state’s labor force fell by 15,000 in March with 12,300 fewer people employed and 2,700 fewer unemployed, according to officials. There were also about 64,200 fewer employed people in March compared with the year before. Massachusetts' labor force participation rate was 65.8% for the month, down from a revised 66% in February and 66.7% last year. The national labor force participation rate was 61.9% in March. Sectors seeing job growth in March included professional and business services (3,400 jobs gained), trade, transportation, and utilities (2,400 jobs), construction (2,000 jobs), and education and health services (2,000 jobs). Sectors that lost jobs were information (500 jobs), other services (600 jobs), and leisure and hospitality (2,300 jobs lost). Jobs in financial activities were level in March.
Administration Awards $70 Million for Additional Vocational School Opportunities. The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced on the last day of April that it has awarded more than $70 million in Career Technical Education (CTE) program capital grants to 28 high schools and career technical schools across Massachusetts. This multi-year investment will significantly expand access to hands-on learning opportunities and help meet the growing demand for career-connected education statewide. The funding will create up to 2,500 new CTE seats by expanding 23 career tech programs, launching 27 new CTE programs and upgrading equipment, technology, and lab spaces across participating schools. CTE programs are offered during the regular school day at dedicated CTE schools and at some traditional high schools. Further, CTE Partnership Programs “After Dark,” expand access by offering CTE programs outside of the traditional school day. CTE programs also support adult learners, particularly unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers through the Career Technical Initiative (CTI).
EPA Releases Sewer Overflow Funding. The EPA announced the availability of approximately $80 million through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to help communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs. According to an EPA press release, the grants will strengthen systems that safely capture and manage stormwater to help prevent contaminants, including untreated sewage, from polluting nearby waterways. The agency will provide funding from both fiscal years 2025 and 2026 totaling $2,927,000 to Massachusetts, which will disperse funding accordingly. Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. It can collect various pollutants, including trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment, and convey them to nearby waterways. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater in combined sewers, stormwater can also contribute to combined sewer overflows during heavy storm events.
Zlotnik Decides Against Re-Election Effort. Massachusetts will see continued turnover in the House this cycle, highlighted by the decision of Representative Jon Zlotnik (D‑2nd Worcester) to forgo reelection after more than a decade in office. First elected in 2012 and serving since 2013, Zlotnik announced he will step aside at the end of his current term, citing a desire to “pass the torch” after 14 years representing his district. His departure is part of a broader pattern of legislative turnover: as of the 2026 election cycle, at least 10 members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (including eight Democrats and two Republicans) and two members of the Massachusetts Senate (two Democrats) have announced they will not seek reelection, creating a notable number of open seats across the Commonwealth.
