HOUSE . . . . . . . . No. 4502
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
________________________________________
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES , April 4, 2024.
The committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, to whom
was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 777) of Josh S.
Cutler and others relative to clean lighting, the petition (accompanied by
bill, House, No. 3164) of Sean Garballey, Simon Cataldo and others
relative to improving outdoor lighting and increasing dark-sky visibility,
the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3217) of Jeffrey N. Roy
relative to consumer access to residential energy information, the petition
(accompanied by bill, House, No. 3218) of Jeffrey N. Roy for legislation
to promote transportation electrification infrastructure and the petition
(accompanied by bill, House, No. 3691) of Marjorie C. Decker and others
relative to energy assessments and energy efficiency improvements at
schools and public institutions of higher education, reports recommending
that the accompanying bill (House, No. 4502) ought to pass.
For the committee,
JEFFREY N. ROY. 1 of 46
FILED ON: 2/7/2024
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 4502
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
An Act to promote transportation electrification infrastructure.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 21 of chapter 25 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
2amended by removing “and” before (xiv) and inserting after subsection xiv, the following: -
3 and (xv) an enhanced homebuyer incentive program providing additional incentives to
4purchasers of 1-5 unit homes within the first year of ownership which shall include but not be
5limited to free weatherization services, multilingual customer support, project facilitation
6services, technical assistance, and a $250 incentive payment.
7 SECTION 2. Section 97A of chapter 13 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
8amended by inserting after the words “home energy audit” the following: -
9 and the enhanced homebuyer incentive program
10 SECTION 3. Section 2 of Chapter 21H of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020
11official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the definition of “Mercury-added Lamp” and
12inserting in place thereof the following definitions:- 2 of 46
13 “Compact fluorescent lamp” means a compact low-pressure, mercury-containing,
14electric-discharge light source in which a fluorescent coating transforms some of the ultraviolet
15energy generated by the mercury discharge into visible light, and includes all of the following
16characteristics:
17 (i) One base (end cap) of any type, including, but not limited to, screw, bayonet, two pins,
18and four pins.
19 (ii) Integrally ballasted or non-integrally ballasted.
20 (iii) Light emission between a correlated color temperature of 1700K and 24000K and a
21Duv of +0.024 and -0.024 in the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) Uniform Color
22Space (CAM02-UCS).
23 (iv) All tube diameters and all tube lengths.
24 (v) All lamp sizes and shapes for directional and nondirectional installations, including,
25but not limited to, PL, spiral, twin tube, triple twin, 2D, U-bend, and circular.
26 “Linear fluorescent lamp” means a low-pressure, mercury-containing, electric-discharge
27light source in which a fluorescent coating transforms some of the ultraviolet energy generated
28by the mercury discharge into visible light, and includes all of the following characteristics:
29 (i) Two bases (end caps) of any type, including, but not limited to, single-pin, two-pin,
30and recessed double contact.
31 (ii) Light emission between a correlated color temperature of 1700K and 24000K and a
32Duv of +0.024 and -0.024 in the CIE CAM02-UCS. 3 of 46
33 (iii) All tube diameters, including, but not limited to, T5, T8, T10, and T12.
34 (iv) All tube lengths from 0.5 to 8.0 feet, inclusive.
35 (v) All lamp shapes, including, but not limited to, linear, U-bend, and circular.
36 SECTION 4. Section 6J of Chapter 21H of the General Laws is hereby amended by
37striking out sections (d)(1) and (d)(2) in their entirety and inserting in place thereof the
38following:-
39 (d)(1) On and after January 1, 2024, no person shall offer for final sale or distribute in
40this state as a new manufactured product a screw or bayonet base type compact fluorescent lamp.
41 (d)(2) On and after January 1, 2025, no person shall offer for final sale or distribute in
42this state as a new manufactured product a pin-base type compact fluorescent lamp or a linear
43fluorescent lamp.
44 SECTION 5. Section 6J of Chapter 21H of the general laws is further amended by adding
45the following sections:-
46 (k) Sections (d)(1) and (d)(2) do not apply to a lamp designed and marketed exclusively
47for image capture and projection, including:
48 (i)photocopying;
49 (ii)printing, directly or in preprocessing;
50 (iii)lithography;
51 (iv)film and video projection; and 4 of 46
52 (v)holography.
53 (l) Sections (d)(1) and (d)(2) do not apply to a lamp that has a high proportion of
54ultraviolet light emission and is one of the following:
55 (i) A lamp with high ultraviolet content that has ultraviolet power greater than two
56milliwatts per kilolumen (mW/klm).
57 (ii) A lamp for germicidal use, such as the destruction of DNA, that emits a peak
58radiation of approximately 253.7 nanometers.
59 (iii) A lamp designed and marketed exclusively for disinfection or fly trapping from
60which either the radiation power emitted between 250 and 315 nanometers represents at least 5
61percent of, or the radiation power emitted between 315 and 400 nanometers represents at least 20
62percent of, the total radiation power emitted between 250 and 800 nanometers.
63 (iv) A lamp designed and marketed exclusively for the generation of ozone where the
64primary purpose is to emit radiation at approximately 185.1 nanometers.
65 (v) A lamp designed and marketed exclusively for coral zooxanthellae symbiosis from
66which the radiation power emitted between 400 and 480 nanometers represents at least 40
67percent of the total radiation power emitted between 250 and 800 nanometers.
68 (vi) Any lamp designed and marketed exclusively for use in a sunlamp product, as
69defined in section 1040.20(b)(9) of subchapter J of title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as
70in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
71 (m) Sections (d)(1) and (d)(2) do not apply to a lamp designed and marketed exclusively
72for use in medical or veterinary diagnosis or treatment, or in a medical device. 5 of 46
73 (n) Sections (d)(1) and (d)(2) do not apply to a lamp designed and marketed exclusively
74for use in the manufacturing or quality control of pharmaceutical products.
75 (o) Sections (d)(1) and (d)(2) do not apply to a lamp designed and marketed exclusively
76for spectroscopy and photometric applications, such as UV-visible spectroscopy, molecular
77spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, nondispersive infrared (NDIR), Fourier transform
78infrared (FTIR), medical analysis, ellipsometry, layer thickness measurement, process
79monitoring, or environmental monitoring.
80 (p) Sections (d)(1) and (d)(2) do not apply to a lamp used by academic and research
81institutions for conducting research projects and experiments.
82 (q) The department may cause periodic inspections to be made of distributors or retailers
83in order to determine compliance with (d)(1) and (d)(2). The department shall investigate
84complaints received concerning violations of (d)(1) and (d)(2).
85 (r) If the department finds that any person has committed a violation of any provision of
86(d)(1) or (d)(2), the department shall issue a warning to such person. Any person who commits a
87violation after the issuance of such warning shall be subject to a civil penalty, issued by the
88department, of up to one hundred dollars for each offense. Any further violations committed by
89such person after this second violation shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than five
90hundred dollars for each offense. Each lamp offered, sold, or distributed in violation of (d)(1) or
91(d)(2), each violation shall constitute a separate offense, and each day that such violation occurs
92shall constitute a separate offense. 6 of 46
93 (s) If the department finds repeated violations have occurred, it shall report the results of
94such violations to the Attorney General. The Attorney General may institute proceedings to seek
95an injunction in state court to enforce the provisions of (d)(1) or (d)(2).
96 (t) The department may adopt such further regulations as necessary to ensure the proper
97implementation and enforcement of the provisions of (d)(1) and (d)(2).
98 SECTION 6. The department of energy resources shall consult with the department of
99public utilities, the administrators of energy efficiency programs established under section 19 of
100chapter 25, and municipal lighting plants to offer incentives and rebates for converting to high-
101efficiency lighting technologies for eligible homeowners. Eligible homeowners shall include any
102homeowner in the commonwealth that:
103 (a)resides in a house or apartment or other unit of housing built over 50 years before the
104current date; and
105 (b)resides in a home with light ballasts incompatible with non-mercury containing light
106bulbs or lamps.
107 SECTION 7. Section 22 of chapter 25, as appearing in the 2022 official edition, is hereby
108amended, by striking the words “the manufacturing industry” and inserting in place thereof the
109following:- “environmental justice and equity interests”
110 SECTION 8. Said section 22 of chapter 25, as so appearing, is hereby further amended,
111in line 4 by inserting before the word “labor” the following:- “workforce development and
112organized labor” 7 of 46
113 SECTION 9. Said section 22 of chapter 25, as so appearing, is hereby further amended,
114in line 7 by striking out the words “fewer than 10 persons”
115 SECTION 10. Said section 22 of chapter 25, as so appearing, is hereby further amended,
116in line 15 by striking out the words “energy efficiency business” and inserting in place there of
117the following:- “the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center”
118 SECTION 11. Said section 22 of chapter 25, as so appearing, is hereby further amended,
119by striking clause (b) and inserting in place there of the following:-
120 (b) The council shall, as part of the approval process by the department, seek to maximize
121net economic benefits through energy efficiency and load management resources, beneficial
122electrification to achieve energy, capacity, climate and environmental goals through a sustained
123and integrated statewide energy efficiency and decarbonization effort. The council shall review
124and approve plans and budgets, work with program administrators in preparing energy resource
125assessments, determine the economic, system reliability, climate and air quality benefits of
126efficiency and load management resources, and beneficial electrification, conduct and
127recommend relevant research, and recommend long term efficiency, load management, and
128beneficial electrification goals to balance economic savings, achievement of environmental goals
129consistent with meeting all greenhouse gas emission limits and sublimits imposed by law or
130regulation and ratepayer impacts. Approval of efficiency and demand resource and beneficial
131electrification plans and budgets shall require a two-thirds majority vote. The council shall, as
132part of its review of plans, examine opportunities to offer joint programs providing similar
133efficiency measures that save more than 1 fuel resource or to coordinate programs targeted at 8 of 46
134saving more than one fuel resource. Any costs for joint programs shall be allocated equitably
135among the efficiency programs.
136 SECTION 12. Section 7 of Chapter 25A as appearing in the 2022 Official version, is
137hereby amended, in line 13, by striking out the words “with total storage capacity of fifty
138thousand gallons”.
139 SECTION 13. Said Section 7 of chapter 25A as so appearing is hereby amended by
140striking the third paragraph and inserting in place there of the following:
141 All electric and gas companies, transmission companies, distribution companies,
142suppliers, and aggregators, as defined in section 1 of chapter 164, and suppliers of natural gas,
143including aggregators, marketers, brokers, and marketing affiliates of gas companies, excluding
144gas companies as defined in said section 1 of said chapter 164, engaged in distributing or selling
145electricity or natural gas in the commonwealth shall make accurate reports to the department in
146such form and at such times, which shall be at least quarterly, as the department shall require
147pursuant to this section. Each such company, supplier, and aggregator shall report semi-annually
148to the department the average of all rates charged for default, low-income and standard offer
149service to each customer class and for each sub-class within the residential class, respectively;
150provided, however, that all such rate information so reported pursuant to this paragraph shall be
151deemed public information, and no such rate information shall be protected as a trade secret,
152confidential, competitively sensitive, or other proprietary information pursuant to section 5D of
153chapter 25. Each such company, supplier, and aggregator shall report to the department, in such
154form and at such times as the department shall require, detailed and accurate information
155including, but not limited to, the following: data regarding number of customers, load served, 9 of 46
156amounts billed to customers (in dollars), renewable and clean energy attribute certificate
157purchases, and supply product offerings. The Department may make such information, or
158aggregates of such information, available to the public on its website.
159 All resellers of petroleum products, including retail heating oil and propane suppliers,
160doing business in the commonwealth shall make accurate reports of price, inventory, and product
161delivery data to the department in such form and at such time as the department shall require. A
162retail heating oil or propane supplier who operates in the commonwealth shall make the daily
163delivery price of heating oil or propane for residential heating customers available in a clear and
164conspicuous manner. If the retail heating oil or propane supplier operates a website for
165commonwealth customers, the daily delivery price shall be clearly and conspicuously displayed
166on the dealer’s website.
167 SECTION 14. Chapter 25A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official
168Edition, is hereby amended by striking out section 11H in its entirety and replacing it with the
169following new section:
170 Section 11H. (a) The department of energy resources may make an assessment against
171each electric and gas utility company licensed to do business in the commonwealth by the
172department of public utilities, based upon the intrastate operating revenues subject to the
173jurisdiction of the department of public utilities of each such company derived from sales within
174the commonwealth of electric and gas service, respectively, as shown in the annual report of
175each such company to the department of public utilities. Assessments shall be made at a rate not
176exceeding 0.3 per cent of such intrastate operating revenues, as shall be determined and certified
177annually by the commissioner as sufficient to reimburse the commonwealth for funds 10 of 46
178appropriated by the general court for the operation and general administration of the department,
179exclusive of funds appropriated by the general court for the cost of fringe benefits as established
180by the comptroller pursuant to section 5D of chapter 29, including group life and health
181insurance, retirement benefits, paid vacations, holidays and sick leave. Assessments made under
182this section may be credited to the normal operating cost of each company. Each company shall
183pay the amount assessed against it within 30 days after the date of the notice of assessment from
184the department. Such assessments shall be collected by the department and credited to the
185General Fund. Any funds unexpended in any fiscal year for the purposes for which such
186assessments were made shall be credited against the assessment to be made in the following
187fiscal year and the assessment in the following fiscal year shall be reduced by any such
188unexpended amount. This section shall not apply to municipally owned electric and gas
189companies.
190 SECTION 15. Chapter 25A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official
191Edition, is hereby amended by striking out section 16 in its entirety.
192 SECTION 16. Chapter 98 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting the
193following new section:
194 Section 59. (a) When used in this section, the following terms shall have the following
195meanings:
196 “Charging session” means an event starting when a customer of an EVSE initiates
197purchase of electric vehicle charging services from an EVSE and ends when either the EVSE or
198the customer ends the continuous transfer of said electric vehicle charging services to that
199customer’s electric vehicle. 11 of 46
200 "Commercial electric vehicle charging station'' means an EVSE, or a group of EVSEs, at
201a certain location where every EVSE within that group is owned and operated by the same
202person or entity and which requires users to pay the EVSE owner a fee for electric vehicle
203charging services.
204 “Director'' is the director of standards in the office of consumer affairs and business
205regulation.
206 “Division” is the division of standards in the office of consumer affairs and business
207regulation.
208 "Electric vehicle'' means a battery electric vehicle that draws propulsion energy solely
209from an on-board electrical energy storage device during operation that is charged from an
210external source of electricity or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with an on-board electrical
211energy storage device that can be recharged from an external source of electricity which also has
212the capability to run on another fuel.
213 "Electric vehicle charging services'' means the transfer of electric energy from an electric
214vehicle charging station to a battery or other storage device in an electric vehicle and billing
215services, networking and operation and maintenance.
216 “Electric vehicle supply equipment” or “EVSE” means a device or system designed and
217used specifically to transfer electrical energy to an electric vehicle, either as charge transferred
218via physical or wireless connection, by loading a fully charged battery, or by other means.
219 "EVSE connector'' is a cable and connector combination which carries electrical current
220from a commercial electric vehicle charging station’s enclosure to the port of an electric vehicle. 12 of 46
221 ''EVSE owner'' is any person owning, in whole or in part, a commercial electric vehicle
222charging station in Massachusetts.
223 ''Network roaming'' is the act of a member of 1 electric vehicle charging station billing
224network using a charging station that is outside of the member's billing network with the
225member's billing network account information.
226 (b) An EVSE owner shall register a commercial electric vehicle charging station with the
227division prior to offering electric vehicle charging services to the public on a form created by the
228division. The division shall set the length of the term of the registration by regulation. An
229applicant for registration shall submit such registration in the manner determined by the division
230along with the appropriate registration fee established pursuant to subsection (d).
231 No person shall operate a commercial electric vehicle charging station without first
232registering the device with the division. An EVSE owner who owns more than one commercial
233electric vehicle charging station in Massachusetts shall separately register each commercial
234electric vehicle charging station. The registrant shall notify the division within 30 days if the
235station is sold or ownership is otherwise transferred, if the operator changes, or if the station
236ceases operation.
237 (c) The registration form may include the commercial electric vehicle charging station’s
238street address; geographic location; hours of operation; charging level; number, make, and model
239for each EVSE; number and type of connectors for each EVSE; hardware compatibility for each
240EVSE; description and amount of any fees users may incur to use the commercial EVSE;
241accepted methods of payment; and any other information the division finds necessary. 13 of 46
242 (d) The division shall establish a fee schedule for registrations, renewals, and inspections,
243including the imposition of late charges when appropriate, by regulation. The division may retain
244such registration fees and fines it collects in order to support its operations.
245 (e) An EVSE owner shall display on each EVSE, clearly visible to a user of that EVSE,
246the price per kilowatt-hours of the electric vehicle charging services and any other costs a user
247might encounter when purchasing electric vehicle charging services from the EVSE. The price
248shown on such display shall display any taxes imposed on the sale of the charging services. No
249sign, advertising material or other display or product that is placed upon, above or around an
250EVSE shall directly or indirectly obscure the posted price.
251 (f) No EVSE owner shall sell electric vehicle charging services at any price other than the
252price so posted at the time of the sale. Any EVSE owner who sells electric vehicle charging
253services to a customer from an EVSE shall display on each EVSE, at a location and in a manner
254clearly visible to a user of that EVSE, the total volume of electricity transferred during each
255charging session. Any advertisement, statement, or display of electric vehicle charging services
256prices shall display the total price, including any taxes, usage fees, and any membership fees
257required to obtain the price displayed.
258 (g) The director and their inspectors shall have the power to test, inspect and seal all
259EVSEs in accordance with standards set forth in the most recent publication of the National
260Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 44 as adopted by the National Conference on
261Weights and Measures. Notwithstanding any other general law or special law to the contrary,
262said testing, inspection, and sealing shall be the sole responsibility of the division. All EVSE
263connectors and related equipment and systems shall meet all the applicable requirements 14 of 46
264contained in the most recent publication of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
265Handbook 44.
266 All EVSE connectors and related equipment and systems which the division determines
267have met the standard contained herein shall be marked in a manner visible to consumers, as
268determined by the division. The division shall also affix a security seal to said EVSE pursuant to
269the standards contained in the most recent publication of National Institute of Standards and
270Technology Handbook 44.
271 (h) The division may adopt, amend, alter or repeal, and shall enforce all such reasonable
272orders, rules and regulations as may be necessary or suitable for the administration and
273enforcement of this section, inclusive, and the division may, in such administration and
274enforcement, at any time no cause to be made by its agents or representatives an audit,
275examination or investigation of the books, records, papers, vouchers, accounts and documents of
276any EVSE owner, who shall make them available, upon oral or written demand, to the division
277or any of its duly authorized agents or representatives. Every EVSE owner shall keep such
278records as may be prescribed by the orders, rules or regulations adopted by the division.
279 (i) A violation of any provision of this section shall be punished by a civil citation of not
280more than five thousand dollars, pursuant to section 29A of chapter 98. Upon the second
281violation of this section, the division may, in addition to assessing a civil citation, suspend the
282right of such registrant to engage in the business of selling electric vehicle charging services for a
283period not exceeding three months, and upon the third or subsequent violation, in addition to
284assessing a civil citation, suspend such right for a period not exceeding one year. 15 of 46
285 (j) All EVSE connectors and related equipment and systems which cannot be made to
286conform to the standard described in subsection (g) shall be taken out of service and marked or
287labelled in a manner by the division until it meets such standard. Whoever removes said mark or
288label without the consent of the person affixing the same shall be punished by a fine of not more
289than five thousand dollars or shall be subject to a civil citation as provided in section 29A of
290chapter 98.
291 (k) The owner or operator of a commercial electric vehicle charging station shall provide
292payment options that allow access by the general public. A person shall not be required to pay a
293subscription fee to use a commercial electrical vehicle charging station or be required to obtain a
294membership in a club, association or organization as a condition of using the station; provided,
295however, that owners and operators of a commercial electrical vehicle charging station may have
296separate price schedules conditional on a subscription or membership.
297 (l) The owner or operator of a public electric vehicle charging station or a designee shall
298disclose on an ongoing basis to the United States Department of Energy National Renewable
299Energy Laboratory, or other publicly available database designated by the division in
300consultation with the department of energy resources, the station's geographic location, hours of
301operation, charging level, hardware compatibility, schedule of fees, accepted methods of
302payment and the amount of network roaming charges for nonmembers, if any.
303 SECTION 17. Section 16 of chapter 25A of the General Laws, is hereby amended by
304inserting after the word “membership”, in line 39, the following words:- “Any person who parks
305a vehicle that is not compatible with an electronic charging station in a publicly available parking 16 of 46
306spot equipped with an electronic charging station, shall be subject to a fine of $50 for a first
307offense and $100 for a second or subsequent offense.”
308 SECTION 18. Chapter 25A of the General Laws is hereby further amended by adding the
309following section:
310 Section 20(B) An Act Relative to Healthy and Sustainable Schools Definitions
311 For the purpose of this statute, the following definitions apply:
312 (a) As used in this legislation, the term “energy audit” refers to an investment-grade
313study of a school that yields recommendations on energy efficiency improvements and
314renewable energy systems to install on or nearby school properties. Energy audits shall estimate
315the costs, savings, and greenhouse gas reductions from implementing the recommendations and
316shall include a list of financing options, including federal, state, and local funding sources.
317Energy audits shall also include, but not be limited to, mechanical insulation evaluation and
318inspection of the building envelope(s).
319 (b) As used in this legislation, the term “energy efficiency improvements” refers to any
320improvement, repair, alteration, or betterment of any building or facility, subject to all applicable
321building codes, owned or operated by a public institution of higher education, municipally-
322owned institution of higher education, and public elementary and secondary school or any
323equipment, fixture, or furnishing to be added to or used in any such building or facility that is
324designed to reduce energy consumption. Energy efficiency improvements include, but are not
325limited to: adding square footage to existing school facilities; building envelope improvements;
326heating, ventilating, and cooling upgrades; lighting retrofits; installing or upgrading an energy
327management system; motor, pump, or fan replacements; domestic water use reductions; 17 of 46
328information technology improvements associated with an energy conservation improvement to
329school facilities; mechanical insulation; municipal utility improvements associated with an
330energy conservation improvement to school facilities; and upgrading other energy consuming
331equipment or appliances
332 (c) As used in this legislation, the term “environmental justice communities” refers to a
333population with an annual median household income of not more than 65 per cent of the
334statewide median income or with a segment of the population that consists of residents that is not
335less than 25 per cent minority, foreign born or lacking in English language proficiency based on
336the most recent United States census.
337 (d) As used in this legislation, the term “historically marginalized communities” refers to
338a community that has historically suffered from discrimination and has not had equal access to
339public or private economic benefits due to the race, ethnicity, gender, geography, language
340preference, immigrant or citizen status, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status,
341or disability status of its members.
342 (d) As used in this legislation, the term “Office” refers to the Healthy and Sustainable
343Schools Office.
344 (e) As used in this legislation, the term “renewable energy systems” refers to energy
345generated from any source that qualifies as a Class I or Class II renewable energy source under
346sections 11F of chapter 25A.
347 (f) As used in this legislation, the term “School Building Authorities” refers to the
348Massachusetts School Building Authority, University of Massachusetts Building Authority, and
349Massachusetts State College Building Authority. 18 of 46
350 SECTION 19. Chapter 25A of the General Laws is hereby further amended by adding the
351following section:
352 Section 20(C): An Act Relative to Healthy and Sustainable Schools Act
353 (a) All public institutions of higher education, municipally-owned institutions of higher
354education, and public elementary and secondary schools shall receive Energy audits. Energy
355audits shall be provided to schools at no cost. Energy audits shall be performed within 24 months
356after the effective date of this Act.
357 (b) Energy audits shall be prioritized for all public institutions of higher education,
358municipally-owned institutions of higher education, and public elementary and secondary
359schools located in environmental justice communities.
360 (c) Public institutions of higher education, municipally-owned institutions of higher
361education, and public elementary and secondary schools that are located in environmental justice
362communities shall receive priority for any energy efficiency improvements or installations of
363renewable energy systems that are authorized under this act.
364 SECTION 20. Chapter 25A of the General Laws is hereby further amended by adding the
365following section:
366 Section 20(D): An Act Relative to Healthy and Sustainable Schools- Healthy and
367Sustainable Schools Office
368 (a) In the department of energy resources within the executive office of energy and
369environmental affairs, there shall be a Healthy and Sustainable Schools Office. The Office shall
370carry out its duties and responsibilities in coordination with School Building Authorities. 19 of 46
371 (b) The Office shall have a director appointed by the Governor; two members appointed
372by the State Senate, one of whom shall be a representative of organized labor; and two members
373appointed by the Assembly, one of whom shall be a representative of organized labor. The
374Office shall employ architects, consulting engineers, attorneys, construction, financial and other
375experts, superintendents, managers, and such other employees and agents as may be necessary in
376its judgment.
377 (c) The Office shall conduct energy audits at all public institutions of higher education,
378municipally-owned institutions of higher education, and public elementary and secondary
379schools. Energy audits shall be prioritized for public institutions of higher education,
380municipally-owned institutions of higher education, and public elementary and secondary
381schools located in environmental justice communities.
382 (d) The results of each energy audit shall be memorialized by the Office and shall be
383provided to the applicable school and School Building Authorities. The Office shall retain a copy
384of each energy audit and promptly make the results available for public inspection on its website.
385Any information sensitive to school safety and security shall be redacted before being made
386public.
387 (e) The Office shall facilitate implementing recommended energy efficiency
388improvements and installing renewable energy systems on or nearby school property. The Office
389is authorized and encouraged to aggregate projects to maximize efficiency, including but not
390limited to negotiating bulk purchases of renewable energy and energy efficiency equipment,
391energy audits, and installation services. The Office shall prioritize installing energy efficiency 20 of 46
392improvements and renewable energy systems at schools located in environmental justice
393communities.
394 (f) Third party contractors shall be prohibited from performing both energy audits and
395installing energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems at the same school.
396 (g) The Office shall seek public input from stakeholders, including but not limited to
397school boards, labor union representatives, and community representatives when implementing
398recommended energy efficiency improvements and installing renewable energy systems.
399 (h) The Office is authorized to make and enter into all contracts and agreements
400necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this
401act.
402 (i) The office shall ensure that contractors and subcontractors of all tiers engaging in the
403construction and installation of energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems
404submit sworn certifications as part of the bidding process that the firm will:
405 (1) Provide documentation of its participation in State or Federally registered
406apprenticeship training program(s) for each trade in which it employs craft workers.
407 (2) Ensure that each employee on the project will be paid, at minimum, wages and
408benefits that are not less than the prevailing wage and fringe benefits rates as prescribed in
409sections 26 through 27D of Chapter 149, for the corresponding classification in which the
410employee is employed.
411 (3) Comply with the Commonwealth’s public bidding laws, including G.L. c. 149, s.
41244A, c. 149A, s.8, and c. 30, s. 39M, as applicable. 21 of 46
413 (4) Comply with all other Federal, State, and Local laws.
414 (5) Prioritize hiring residents from environmental justice communities and members of
415historically marginalized communities.
416 (6) Comply with all State and Local hiring goals for women, minorities, and veterans.
417 (7) Provide documentation of its partnership(s) with high-quality preapprenticeship
418 training programs.
419 (8) Become signatory to a project labor agreement if such an agreement is selected as the
420project delivery method for the construction project by the contracting authority.
421 A bid will not be considered complete and ready for review until all certifications have
422been submitted as part of its bid package. The failure to include complete and accurate
423certifications prior to the bid deadline shall be grounds for disqualification from the bidding
424process.
425 (i) The Office shall ensure that contractors and subcontractors of all tiers, as part of the
426bid process, disclose and certify the following:
427 (1) Contractors and sub-contractors on the project are currently, and will remain, in
428compliance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapters 149, 151, 151A, 151B, and 152 and/or
42929 U.S.C. § 201, et seq. and Federal anti-discrimination laws for the duration of the project.
430 (2) Contractors and sub-contractors on the project, have complied with Massachusetts
431General Laws Chapters 149, 151, 151A, 151B, and 152 and/or 29 U.S.C. § 201, et seq. and
432Federal anti-discrimination laws for the last three (3) calendar years. 22 of 46
433 (3) When contractors or sub-contractors on the project cannot meet the certification
434requirements provided for in Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, the contractors or
435subcontractors must submit proof of a wage bond or other comparable form of insurance in an
436amount equal to the aggregate of one year’s gross wages for all workers projected to be
437employed by the contractor or sub-contractor for which certification is unavailable, to be
438maintained for the life of the project.
439 SECTION 21.
440 Chapter 25A of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby amended by adding the
441following new Section:
442 Section 20(E): An Act Relative to Healthy and Sustainable Schools- Funding
443 (a) The State shall appropriate funds to a revolving fund to finance activities authorized
444under this act, including but not limited to providing energy assessments and installing energy
445efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems on or nearby school property. The
446Office shall be responsible for administering this fund.
447 (b) The Office shall make application for, receive, and accept funding from local and
448federal sources to carry out its duties, including but not limited to the following sources:
449 (i) funding authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, including but not
450limited to funding programs under the Department of Energy’s State and Community Energy
451Program,
452 (ii) funding authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, including but not limited to the
453Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, 23 of 46
454 (iii) funding authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act, including but not limited to
455funds for elementary and secondary emergency relief,
456 (iv) State bonds,
457 (v) funding from green banks, and
458 (vi) department funding.
459 SECTION 22. Section 2 of chapter 25B of the General Laws, as appearing the 2022
460official edition is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “Electricity Ratio” the
461following definition:-
462 “Fast DC”, a galvanically-connected EVSE that includes an off-board charger and
463provides DC current greater than or equal to 80 amperes DC.
464 SECTION 23. Said section 2 of said chapter 25B, as so appearing, is hereby further
465amended by inserting after the definition of “Lamp” the following 2 definitions:-
466 “Level 1”, a galvanically-connected EVSE with a single-phase input voltage nominally
467120 volts AC and maximum output current less than or equal to 16 amperes AC.
468 “Level 2”, a galvanically-connected EVSE with a single-phase input voltage range from
469208 to 240 volts AC and maximum output current less than or equal to 80 amperes AC.
470 SECTION 24. Section 2 of chapter 25B of the General Laws is hereby further amended
471by inserting after the definition of “Faucet” the following 2 definitions:-
472 “Flexible demand”, means the capability to schedule, shift, or curtail the electrical
473demand of a load-serving entity’s customer through direct action by the customer or through 24 of 46
474action by a third party, the load-serving entity, or a grid balancing authority, with the customer’s
475consent.
476 SECTION 25. Section 5 of said chapter 25B, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
477inserting after the paragraph ending with “No state-regulated general service lamp shall be sold
478or offered for sale in the commonwealth unless the efficiency of the new product meets or
479exceeds the efficiency standards provided in this section” the following paragraph:-
480 The commissioner may also adopt, by regulation, and periodically update, standards for
481any appliances to facilitate the deployment of flexible demand technologies. These regulations
482may include labeling provisions to promote the use of appliances with flexible demand
483capabilities. The flexible demand appliance standards shall be based on feasible and attainable
484efficiencies or feasible improvements that will enable appliance operations to be scheduled,
485shifted, or curtailed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases associated with electricity
486generation. The standards shall become effective no sooner than one year after the date of their
487adoption or updating.
488 SECTION 26 . Section 5 of chapter 25B of the General Laws is hereby amended by
489striking out paragraph (20) and inserting in place thereof the following:
490 (20) Electric vehicle supply equipment included in the scope of the ENERGY STAR
491Program Requirements Product Specification for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, Version
4921.0 (Rev. Apr-2017) or latest applicable version of ENERGY STAR for Electric Vehicle Supply
493Equipment, shall meet the qualification criteria of that specification.
494 “No new, commercial dishwasher, commercial fryer, commercial hot-food holding
495cabinet, commercial oven, commercial steam cooker, computer or computer monitor, faucet, 25 of 46
496high CRI fluorescent lamp, portable electric spa, residential ventilating fan, showerhead, spray
497sprinkler body, urinal, water closet or water cooler shall be sold or offered for sale, lease or rent
498in the commonwealth unless the efficiency of the new product meets or exceeds the efficiency
499standards set forth in the regulations adopted pursuant to this section. No state-regulated
500general service lamp shall be sold or offered for sale in the commonwealth unless the efficiency
501of the new product meets or exceeds the efficiency standards provided in this section.”
502 SECTION 27. Section 5 of said chapter 25B, as appearing in the 2022 official edition, is
503hereby further amended by striking out the first and second paragraphs and inserting in place
504thereof the following paragraph:-
505 The commissioner may by regulation update the level of the energy efficiency standards
506for minimum energy efficiency standards for the types of new products set forth in clauses (f) to
507(y), inclusive, of section 3. Any revision of such standards shall be based upon the determination
508by the commissioner that such efficiency levels are cost-effective to the users, as a group, of the
509covered appliance or lamp. Any standard revised pursuant to this section which conflicts with a
510corresponding standard in the state plumbing code shall take precedence over the standard in said
511code. Any standard revised pursuant to this section shall not take effect for at least one year after
512its adoption.
513 SECTION 28. Chapter 85 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the
514following section:
515 Section 38. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following
516meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise: 26 of 46
517 “Correlated color temperature” or “CCT”, the apparent hue of the light emitted by a
518fixture, expressed in kelvins (K).
519 “Façade lighting”, illumination of exterior surfaces of buildings for the enhancement of
520their nighttime appearance, achieved by shining light onto building surfaces, or by internal or
521external illumination of translucent building surfaces, or with fixtures solely for decorative
522function.
523 “Fixture”, a complete lighting unit, including a light source together with the parts
524designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the light source and connect the light
525source to the power supply.
526 “Fully shielded fixture”, a fixture that in its mounted position has an uplight value of U0
527as defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society’s standards publication TM-15-20
528(Luminaire Classification System for Outdoor Luminaires).
529 “Glare”, light emitted by a fixture that causes visual discomfort or reduced visibility.
530 “Illuminance”, the luminous power incident per unit area of a surface.
531 “Light trespass”, light that falls beyond the property it is intended to illuminate.
532 “Lumen”, a standard unit of measurement of the quantity of light emitted from a source
533of light.
534 “Municipal funds”, bond revenues or money appropriated or allocated by the governing
535body of a town or city within the Commonwealth. 27 of 46
536 “Ornamental lighting”, a lighting fixture that has a historical or decorative appearance
537and that serves a decorative function in addition to serving to light a roadway, parking lot,
538walkway, plaza, or other area.
539 “Parking-lot lighting”, a permanent outdoor fixture specifically intended to illuminate an
540uncovered vehicle-parking area.
541 “Part-night service”, a rate charged by a utility company to provide unmetered electricity
542for permanent outdoor fixtures that operate for only a portion of each night’s dusk-to-dawn
543cycle.
544 “Permanent outdoor fixture”, a fixture for use in an exterior environment installed with
545mounting not intended for relocation.
546 “Roadway lighting”, a permanent outdoor fixture specifically intended to illuminate a
547public roadway.
548 “Sky glow”, scattered light in the atmosphere that is caused by light directed upward or
549sideways from fixtures, reducing an individual’s ability to view the natural night sky.
550 “State funds”, bond revenues or money appropriated or allocated by the general court.
551 “Uplight,” direct light emitted above a horizontal plane through the fixture’s lowest light-
552emitting part in its mounted position
553 (b) State or municipal funds must not be used to install or cause to be installed a new
554permanent outdoor fixture or to pay for the cost of operating a new permanent outdoor fixture,
555for the specific purposes listed below, unless the following conditions are met: 28 of 46
556 (i) Fixtures used for roadway lighting or parking-lot lighting, whether mounted to poles,
557buildings or other structures, must be fully shielded unless they are Ornamental lighting fixtures,
558or are fixtures used to light tunnels or roadway underpasses;
559 (ii) Ornamental lighting fixtures must emit fewer than 500 lumens of Uplight;
560 (iii) “Fixtures used for Roadway lighting must not be more numerous than is necessary
561for adequate vehicular and pedestrian safety, as determined by the current lighting-needs criteria
562published by the Federal Highway Administration and the Illuminating Engineering Society;”
563 (iv) Building-mounted fixtures must be fully shielded unless they are Façade lighting
564fixtures;
565 (v) Façade lighting fixtures must be selected and installed to direct the light onto the
566intended target, and must be shielded, so that glare, sky glow, and light trespass are minimized;
567 (vi) Fixtures used to light historic structures, flags, monuments, statuary and works of art
568must be selected and installed to direct the light onto the intended target, and must be shielded,
569so that glare, sky glow, and light trespass are minimized;
570 (vii) Fixtures used to light athletic playing areas must be selected and installed so as to
571minimize glare, light trespass and sky glow outside the athletic playing area;
572 (viii) Fixtures installed for any purpose must have a correlated color temperature that is
573not greater than 3000 K unless (1) an exemption up to 4000 K is granted, in which case a public
574safety need must be demonstrated; or (2) the fixtures are used exclusively for the decorative
575illumination through color of certain building façade or landscape features; or (3) the fixtures are
576used to illuminate athletic playing areas. 29 of 46
577 (ix) Lighting installed for any purpose should provide maintained illuminance levels
578equal to the minimum values recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society for the
579intended application and may not exceed those recommended minimum values by more than
58050% unless a demonstrated and verified need exists for higher levels to ensure safety or security.
581 (c) This section shall not apply: (i) if it is preempted by federal law; (ii) if the outdoor
582lighting fixture is used temporarily for emergency, repair, construction or similar activities; (iii)
583to navigational and other lighting systems necessary for aviation and nautical safety; (iv) if a
584compelling and bona fide safety or security need exists that cannot be addressed by another
585reasonable method; (v) to the replacement of a previously installed permanent outdoor fixture
586that is destroyed, damaged or inoperative, has experienced electrical failure due to failed
587components, or requires standard maintenance; (vi) to festoon lighting as defined in the NFPA 70
588National Electrical Code, or (vii) to fixtures installed for any specific purpose that is not listed in
589(b) above.
590 (d) The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, in consultation with the
591Massachusetts Department of Transportation, shall:
592 (i) develop and promulgate regulations to implement and enforce this section; provided,
593however, that if a municipal or county ordinance or regulation specifies lower illuminance levels,
594the illuminance level required for the intended purpose by the ordinance or regulation shall be
595used; and
596 (ii) develop and promulgate regulations to ensure that the use of state or municipal funds,
597including, but not limited to, operating costs for new permanent outdoor fixtures for roadway 30 of 46
598lighting or parking-lot lighting installed by electric distribution companies and municipal
599aggregators, comply with this section.
600 SECTION 29. Section 1 of chapter 164 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
601amended by striking out the definition of "Gas company" and inserting in place thereof the
602following definition:-
603 “Gas company”, a corporation originally organized for the purpose of making and selling
604or distributing and selling gas within the Commonwealth, though subsequently authorized to
605make or sell electricity. A gas company may make, sell, or distribute geothermal energy,
606including networked geothermal and deep geothermal energy.
607 SECTION 30. Section 30 of chapter 164, of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
608amended by inserting after the word “therein”, in line 4 the following words:- ; provided,
609however, that the expansion of a company’s gas system does not increase greenhouse gas
610emissions.
611 SECTION 31. Chapter 186 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 official edition,
612is hereby amended by inserting after section 22 the following section:-
613 Section 22A: (a) For the purposes of this section the following words shall have the
614following meanings:
615 ''Common area'', any portion of a building with more than 1 dwelling unit that is not
616incorporated within a dwelling unit. 31 of 46
617 ''Dwelling unit'', any house or building, or portion thereof, that is occupied, designed to
618be occupied, or is rented, leased or hired out to be occupied, as a home or residence of one or
619more persons.
620 “Electric heat pump,” an apparatus for heating or cooling that transfers heat by
621mechanical means from or to an external reservoir such as the ground, water, or outside air.
622 “Energy monitoring system,” a system of software tools that monitor, analyze, and
623control building energy use and system performance.
624 ''Landlord'', the owner, lessor or sublessor of a dwelling unit, the building of which it is a
625part, or the premises wherein a customer receives electric service through metered measurement.
626 (b) Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule, or regulation, to the contrary, the
627operation in rental housing of an energy monitoring system installed prior to July 1, 1997 or after
628July 1, 2024, whereby the cost of heat or air conditioning is allocated or charged by the owner to
629the occupant based upon measurements made by a computerized energy monitoring system,
630provided that such equipment shall be installed by a licensed electrician and shall meet the
631standards of accuracy and testing of the National Electrical Contractors Association or a similar
632accredited association, and pursuant to a written rental agreement shall be permitted; provided,
633however that cost allocations initiated after July 1, 2024 shall be permitted only for heating or
634cooling costs from an electric heat pump.
635 (c) A landlord may charge an occupant of a dwelling unit for the cost of heat or air
636conditioning as measured through the use of an energy monitoring system only in accordance
637with this section and only upon the landlord certifying that the dwelling unit is in compliance
638with this section to a board of health, health department or other municipal agency or department 32 of 46
639charged with enforcement of the state sanitary code. Certification by the landlord shall be
640provided under the penalties of perjury and shall include a statement that the dwelling unit is
641eligible for the imposition on the occupant of a charge for the cost of heat or air conditioning in
642accordance with subsection (d) and the energy monitoring system measuring the use of heat or
643air conditioning in the dwelling unit was installed by a licensed electrician and is in compliance
644with subsection (b).
645 (d) A dwelling unit shall become eligible for the imposition on the occupant of a charge
646for the cost of heat or air conditioning only upon the commencement of a new tenancy in such
647dwelling unit.
648 (e) A landlord may not charge the occupant of a dwelling unit separately for heat or air
649conditioning usage measured by an energy monitoring system, nor allow such occupant to be so
650charged, unless the energy monitoring system measures only heat or air conditioning that is
651supplied for the exclusive use of the particular dwelling unit and only to an area within the
652exclusive possession and control of the occupant of such dwelling unit and does not measure any
653heat or air conditioning usage for any portion of the common areas or by any other party or
654dwelling unit.
655 (f) A landlord may not charge the occupant separately, nor allow an occupant to be
656charged separately, for heat or air conditioning usage measured by an energy monitoring system
657unless the occupant has signed a written rental agreement that clearly and conspicuously
658provides for such separate charge and that fully discloses in plain language the details of the heat
659or air conditioning usage measured by an energy monitoring system and billing arrangement
660between the landlord and the occupant. Each bill for heat or air conditioning usage measured by 33 of 46
661an energy monitoring system shall clearly set forth all charges and all other relevant information,
662including, but not limited to, the current and immediately preceding energy monitoring system
663readings and the date of each such reading, the heat or air conditioning usage since the last
664reading, the charge per unit of heat or air conditioning, the total charge and the payment due
665date. A bill shall not include any upcharges on the value of energy used for heat or air
666conditioning, late payments, penalty fees, or interest for late payments, for all electricity
667provided to the premises through the electric company meter. Such charges shall be billed to the
668occupant in at least as many periods as the landlord is billed by the electric company providing
669electric service to the building or such payments may be made on a monthly payment schedule as
670agreed to in the written rental agreement; provided, however, that if the landlord bills the
671occupant on a monthly basis, payment of the bill by the occupant shall be due 15 days after the
672date the bill is mailed to the occupant, but if the landlord bills the occupant at intervals greater
673than 1 month, payment of the bill by the tenant shall be due 30 days after the date the bill is
674mailed to the occupant.
675 (g) Whenever a tenancy in a dwelling unit commences after the beginning, but before the
676end, of a billing period for which the landlord has not been billed by the electric company, the
677landlord shall mail to the occupant on the first day of such tenancy the reading on the energy
678monitoring system for the dwelling unit as of that day. The landlord may thereafter bill the
679occupant only for the heat or air conditioning measured on the energy monitoring system
680subsequent to such reading.
681 (h) Whenever a tenancy in a dwelling unit terminates after the beginning, but before the
682end, of a billing period for which the landlord has not been billed by the electric company, the
683landlord shall give to the occupant on the last day of such tenancy the reading on the energy 34 of 46
684monitoring system for the dwelling unit as of that day together with a final bill for heat and air
685conditioning usage in the dwelling unit since the last prior reading of the energy monitoring
686system for such dwelling unit.
687 (i) A landlord shall not charge or recover, or allow to be charged or recovered, any
688additional servicing, administrative, establishment, energy monitoring-reading, energy
689monitoring-testing, billing, or energy monitoring system fee or other fee whatsoever, however
690denominated.
691 (j) In the event of nonpayment of a bill to an electric company by the landlord, such
692electric company shall have all the remedies against the customer of the electric company
693available pursuant to any law, rule or regulation. A landlord may not shut off or refuse heating or
694air conditioning service to an occupant on the basis that the occupant has not paid a separately
695assessed energy monitoring usage charge.
696 (k) The landlord shall retain an affirmative obligation to maintain in good working order
697the electric heat pump system supplying heat or air conditioning to each dwelling unit and any
698component thereof and to respond in a timely manner to any request by the occupant for the
699repair of any defect or malfunctioning in such system. In the event of any overcharge by the
700landlord or any violation of the state sanitary code, the occupant shall have all rights and
701remedies provided under law for such overcharges or such violations including, but not limited
702to, the rights and remedies provided under chapters 111, 186 and 239.
703 (l) Upon receipt of a bill for heat or air conditioning usage from the landlord and within
704the time allowed for paying the bill, an occupant may request that a person or entity with
705expertise in the installation and operation of energy monitoring systems and with no financial or 35 of 46
706other relationship with the landlord, test the energy monitoring system for the dwelling unit
707leased by the occupant to determine whether it is accurately measuring the heat or air
708conditioning being used in the dwelling unit. If the energy monitoring system is found to be
709measuring more heat or air conditioning than is being used in the dwelling unit, the landlord
710shall install a new energy monitoring system at their own expense and shall also pay for the cost
711of the test. In addition, the person or entity conducting the test shall determine as accurately as
712possible the amount of heat or air conditioning that was improperly measured by the energy
713monitoring system in both the prior and current billing periods. The landlord shall calculate the
714amount the occupant was overcharged for the prior billing period and reduce the bill by that
715amount, or, if the occupant has already paid the bill, give the occupant a rebate in that amount.
716Upon receipt from the electric company of the bill for the current billing period, the landlord
717shall calculate the amount of the bill attributable to the excessive measurement by the energy
718monitoring system and reduce the bill to the occupant by that amount prior to sending it to the
719occupant. If the energy monitoring system is found to be measuring no more heat or air
720conditioning than is being used in the dwelling unit, the occupant shall pay for the cost of the
721test; provided, however, that if the occupant does not pay for the cost of the test, the landlord
722may add such cost to the next bill sent to the occupant and such cost shall be considered a part of
723the bill for purposes of paragraph (f) and clause (i) of subsection (4) of section 15B of chapter
724186.
725 (m) Upon request of an affected occupant, the consumer division of the department of
726public utilities shall have jurisdiction to determine whether the allocation of costs for heating and
727air conditioning usage to such occupant was substantially correct. 36 of 46
728 (n) Nothing in this section shall be construed to increase or expand, change, eliminate,
729reduce or otherwise limit the liabilities or obligations of any electric company that are set forth in
730any law, rule, regulation or order to the occupant of a dwelling unit who is receiving electric
731service provided to the building by the electric company.
732 (o) Nothing in this section shall affect or impair the powers and duties of the department
733of public utilities with respect to electric services under chapter 164. Nothing in this section
734shall affect or impair the power and duties of the attorney general with respect to consumer
735protection.
736 (p) No agreement under this section may impose an additional annual cost burden,
737consisting of the net of rental cost adjustment and allocation of heating and cooling costs, on the
738occupant of any dwelling unit in a public ousing development pursuant to chapter 200 of the acts
739of 1948, chapter 667 of the acts of 1954, chapter 705 of the acts of 1966, or chapter 689 of the
740acts of 1974.
741 (q) The department of public health shall promulgate regulations to the state sanitary
742code as it determines to be necessary to implement this section. The department of public
743utilities may promulgate regulations as it determines to be necessary to implement this section.
744The attorney general may promulgate regulations as it determines to be necessary to implement
745this section
746 SECTION 32. Section 3 of chapter 149 of the Acts of 2014 is hereby repealed.
747 SECTION 33. Section 370 of the acts of 2018 is hereby repealed. 37 of 46
748 SECTION 34. Section 53 of Chapter 179 of the Acts of 2022 is hereby amended by
749inserting the following section after section 92C:-
750 Section 92D. (a) Specific to achieving clause v of subsection a of section 92B,
751notwithstanding any other requirements of Sections 92B or 92C, and building on the
752Massachusetts executive office of energy and environmental affairs intergovernmental
753coordinating council EV deployment plan published in August 2023 and the electric distribution
754company electric sector modernization plans filed January 2024, the department of energy
755resources and Massachusetts department of transportation, in consultation with each EDC, and
756other key stakeholders such as EV Supply Equipment companies, EV Original Equipment
757Manufacturers, and Fleet operators, shall forecast EV charging demand through 2045 and
758identify sites to create a statewide network of fast charging hubs along Massachusetts highways
759and major roadways and charging capacity for fleet depots. By no later than two years following
760enactment of this legislation, each electric distribution company shall submit plans for
761implementation of distribution system build necessary to accommodate the highway charging
762network and fleet depots, and the department of public utilities shall approve the plans, if
763deemed reasonable.
764 (b) The department of energy resources and Massachusetts department of transportation,
765in consultation with each electric distribution company, and other key stakeholders such as EV
766Supply Equipment companies, EV Original Equipment Manufacturers, and Fleet operators, by
767no later than six months following enactment of this legislation, shall complete a study to
768forecast the 2045 electric demand from electric light-duty vehicle and medium- and heavy-duty
769vehicle charging at service plazas and other locations along Massachusetts highways and major 38 of 46
770roadways, based on current traffic patterns and expected adoption of EVs to meet the
771Massachusetts 2045 climate goals.
772 (c) Within six months of, and based on the 2045 electric charging demand determined
773Section 92D. (b), the department of energy resources, Massachusetts department of
774transportation, and the electric distribution companies, and in consultation with other key
775stakeholders such as EV Supply Equipment companies, EV Original Equipment Manufacturers,
776Fleet operators and EJ Communities shall identify optimal sites along or near Massachusetts
777highways and major roadways in each electric distribution company service territory, which are
778suitable to host electric vehicle fast charging hubs to create a statewide network and meet the
779anticipated demand in 2045. Identification of such priority sites for electric vehicle fast charging
780stations should include, but not be limited to, consideration of the following: (i) ease of access
781for both consumer and commercial electric vehicles; (ii) cost-effective and efficient use of
782existing electric company infrastructure and rights-of-way; (iii) land use feasibility; (iv) potential
783ability to qualify for public funds, including, but not limited to, those funds made available under
784the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) signed into U.S. Law in 2021; and (v)
785impact on environmental justice communities.
786 (d) Within six months of identification of such electric vehicle fast charging hub sites,
787each electric distribution company shall develop a plan to proactively design and build the
788additional distribution infrastructure investments necessary on its system to satisfy, at a
789minimum, the year 2045 projected charging demand at the applicable sites. The associated
790infrastructure investments shall also be designed to accommodate any additional projected future
791needs for the area identified by the electric distribution company. 39 of 46
792 (e) Within six months of each electric distribution company submitting its plan for the
793additional infrastructure investments required for the identified electric vehicle fast charging hub
794sites,. The department of public utilities shall promptly consider the plan, and if it finds the plan
795to be a reasonable approach to accommodate the increased transportation electrification
796necessary to facilitate achievement of the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits under
797chapter 21N, shall approve the plan. Each electric distribution company shall be entitled to full
798cost recovery of all charges for the infrastructure investments resulting from the plan.
799 (f) Within 18 months following enactment of this legislation, each electric distribution
800company, in consultation with other key stakeholders such as EV Supply Equipment companies,
801EV Original Equipment Manufacturers, Fleet operators and EJ Communities, shall identify
802distribution upgrades necessary to support the electrification of at least five industrial areas with
803fleet depots, including factors to prioritize sites impacting environmental justice communities[i].
804Within 6 months of the EDCs submitting their plans, the department of public utilities shall
805promptly consider the plan, and if it finds the plan to be a reasonable approach to accommodate
806the increased transportation electrification necessary to facilitate achievement of the statewide
807greenhouse gas emissions limits under chapter 21N, shall approve the plan. Each electric
808distribution company shall be entitled to cost recovery of charges for the infrastructure
809investments resulting from the plan.
810 SECTION 35. Subsection 81(a) of chapter 179 of the acts of 2022 is hereby amended by
811inserting after the words “commissioner of public utilities or designee;” the following words:-
812the executive director of the Massachusetts clean energy technology center or designee;. 40 of 46
813 SECTION 36. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall review and issue a
814report on existing roadway lighting and lighting operational costs. The report shall include a
815review of standards and other criteria for roadway lighting and an analysis of lighting operational
816costs; a review of roadway lighting’s impact on human health, human safety, and environmental
817impact; actions taken by the department to comply with current standards; procedures and
818accepted best practices relative to roadway lighting; and a plan to reduce lighting operational
819costs through the replacement of existing high-wattage, unshielded fixtures with lower-wattage,
820fully shielded fixtures and the replacement of unnecessary roadway lighting with the installation
821of passive safety measures. The department shall issue its report to the Department of Energy
822Resources and the clerks of Senate and the House of Representatives not later than January 1,
8232024.
824 SECTION 37. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities shall, subject to its
825ratemaking authority:
826 (a) develop a rate for part-night service that applies to dimmable and controls-operated
827fixtures used for unmetered roadway or parking-lot lighting.
828 (b) develop a rate for unmetered roadway or parking-lot lighting fixtures utilizing less
829than 25 watts of electricity.
830 SECTION 38. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, subject to
831availability of sufficient proceeds, the department of energy resources shall expend amounts
832from the RGGI Auction Trust Fund established in section 35II of chapter 10 of the General Laws
833to fund the green communities program established in section 10 of chapter 25A of the General
834Laws, and to fund the Electric Vehicle Adoption Incentive Trust Fund established in Section 41 of 46
83519(a) of Chapter 25A of the General Laws. All payments made from the fund shall be prioritized
836so that the initial payments from the fund shall be made to the green communities, electric
837vehicle incentive and transportation electrification programs; provided, however, that not less
838than $27,000,000 shall be available for electric vehicle incentive programs each year for Fiscal
839Years ending June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026, and June 30, 2027.
840 SECTION 39. (a) For the purposes of this section the following words shall have the
841following meanings:
842 “Association” means any association of homeowners, community association,
843condominium association, cooperative, or any other nongovernmental entity with covenants,
844bylaws, and administrative provisions with which a homeowner's compliance is required.
845 “Dedicated parking space” refers to both parking spaces that are located within an
846owner’s separate interest, as well as parking spaces that are in a common area, but subject to
847exclusive use rights of an owner, including, but not limited to, a deeded parking space, a garage
848space, a carport, or a parking space that is specifically designated for use by a particular owner.
849 "Electric vehicle charging station" means a station that is designed in compliance with
850Article 625 of the National Electrical Code and delivers electricity from a source outside an
851electric vehicle into one or more electric vehicles. An electric vehicle charging station may
852include several charge points simultaneously connecting several electric vehicles to the station.
853 “Historic district commission” means a commission responsible for administering the
854rules and regulations of a historic district established by a community pursuant to chapter 40C of
855the General Laws. 42 of 46
856 “Municipal governing body” means the legislative decision-making body of a city or
857town.
858 “Neighborhood conservation district” means a district established by a municipal
859governing body as part of the local zoning code or bylaws for the express purpose of protecting
860the architectural character of a neighborhood.
861 “Owner” means a person or persons who own a separate lot, unit, or interest, along with
862an undivided interest or membership interest in the common area of the entire project, including
863but not limited to condominiums, planned unit developments, and parcels subject to a
864homeowners’ association.
865 “Reasonable restrictions” means restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of
866the station or its installation, significantly decrease its efficiency or specified performance, or
867effectively prohibit the installation altogether.
868 “Separate interest” means the separate lot, unit, or interest to which an owner has
869exclusive rights of ownership.
870 (b) Associations, historic district commissions, and neighborhood conservation districts
871may not prohibit or unreasonably restrict an owner from installing an electric vehicle charging
872station on or in areas subject to their separate interest, on or in areas to which they have
873exclusive use, or on a common element, so long as it was within a reasonable distance of the
874dedicated parking space. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an association,
875historic district commission, or neighborhood conservation district from making reasonable
876restrictions. 43 of 46
877 (c) Installation of any electric vehicle charging station is subject to the following
878provisions: (i) the electric vehicle charging station shall be installed at the owners’ expense; (ii)
879the electric vehicle charging station must be installed by a licensed contractor or electrician; (iii)
880an electric vehicle charging station shall conform to: (A) all applicable health and safety
881standards and requirements imposed by national, state, and local authorities; and (B) all other
882applicable zoning, land use or other ordinances, or land use permits.
883 (d) An association, historic district commission, or neighborhood conservation district
884may require an owner to submit an application before installing a charging station, subject to the
885following provisions: (i) if the association, historic district commission, or neighborhood
886conservation district requires such an application, the application shall be processed and
887approved by the association, historic district commission, or neighborhood conservation district
888in the same manner as an application for approval of an architectural modification to the
889property, and shall not be willfully avoided or delayed; (ii) the association, historic district
890commission, or neighborhood conservation district shall approve the application if the owner
891complies with the association, historic district commission, or neighborhood conservation
892district’s architectural standards and the provisions of this section; (iii) the approval or denial of
893an application shall be in writing; (iv) if an application is not denied in writing within 60 days
894from the date of receipt of the application, the application shall be deemed approved, unless that
895delay is the result of a reasonable request for additional information; and (v) the association,
896historic district commission, or neighborhood conservation district may not assess or charge the
897owner any fees for the placement of any electric vehicle charging station, beyond reasonable fees
898for processing the application, provided that such fees exist for all applications for approval of
899architectural modifications. 44 of 46
900 (e) The owner and each successive owner of the separate interest or with exclusive rights
901to the area where the electric vehicle charging station is installed is responsible for: (i) disclosing
902to prospective buyers the existence of any charging station of the owner and the related
903responsibilities of the owner pursuant to this section; (ii) disclosing to prospective buyers
904whether the electric vehicle charging station is removable and whether the owner intends to
905remove the station in order to install it at the owner’s new place of residence; (iii) costs for the
906maintenance, repair, and replacement of the electric vehicle charging station until the charging
907station has been removed, and for restoration of the common area after removal; (iv) costs for
908damage to the electric vehicle charging station, common area, exclusive common area, or a
909separate interest resulting from the installation, maintenance, repair, removal, or replacement of
910the charging station; (v) the cost of electricity associated with the electric vehicle charging
911station, provided however, that the owner shall connect the electric vehicle charging station to
912their own electric utility account unless the licensed contractor performing the installation deems
913that to be impossible; provided further, that if the connection is deemed impossible, the
914association, historic district commission, or neighborhood conservation district shall allow the
915owner to connect the electric vehicle charging station to the common electricity account, but may
916require reimbursement by the owner to the association, historic district commission, or
917neighborhood conservation district for the electricity costs, per the owner’s responsibility for
918such costs; and (vi) removing the electric vehicle charging station if reasonably necessary for the
919repair, maintenance, or replacement of any property of the association, historic district
920commission, or neighborhood conservation district, or separate interests. 45 of 46
921 (f) An association may install an electric vehicle charging station in the common area for
922the use of all members of the association and, in that case, the association shall develop
923appropriate terms of use for the charging station.
924 SECTION 40. (a) By no later than twelve months following enactment of this
925legislation, each local unit of government shall adopt a land use ordinance or bylaws that:
926 (1) create an expedited, streamlined permitting process for electric vehicle charging
927stations, including electric vehicle charging stations installed in the public right-of-way, with
928binding timeline for the review and approval of permit applications not to exceed thirty days;
929 (2) classify all levels of electric vehicle charging stations as permitted accessory and
930primary use in all zoning districts;
931 (3) address electric vehicle charging in parking minimum requirements, specifically that
932a parking space served by an electric vehicle charging station or any parking spaces used to site
933electric vehicle charging equipment must be counted as at least one standard automobile parking
934space and that any van-accessible parking space shall count as at least two standard automobile
935parking spaces for the purpose of complying with any applicable minimum parking
936requirements;
937 (4) specify that review of applications to install electric vehicle charging stations,
938including electric vehicle charging stations installed in the public right-of-way, shall be limited
939to the building official’s review of whether the installation meets all health and safety
940requirements under local, state, and federal law and shall be administratively approved through
941the issuance of a building permit or similar nondiscretionary permit. 46 of 46
942 (h) The department of energy resources and Massachusetts department of transportation,
943in consultation with the appropriate and affected parties, by no later than six months following
944enactment of this legislation, shall develop and publish a model land use ordinance that local
945governments may elect to adopt. Upon completion, the department of energy resources and
946Massachusetts department of transportation must post the model ordinance to the department’s
947internet website and notify local units of government of its availability.
948 (i) The department of energy resources and Massachusetts department of transportation
949may periodically publish amendments to the model ordinance to reflect increased electric vehicle
950adoption and technological advances in the State. Any update shall not require a rulemaking
951process. Upon completion of any amendment, the department of energy resources and
952Massachusetts department of transportation must post the updated model ordinance to the
953department’s internet website and notify local units of government of the amendments.
954 SECTION 41. Sections 7 through 10 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2028.
955 SECTION 42. Section 11 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
956 SECTION 43. Sections 28 and 36 shall take effect on January 1, 2024.
957 SECTION 44. Pursuant to section 16, a commercial electric vehicle charging station
958operating in MA as of January 1, 2025, shall be required to register with the division of standards
959no later than January 1, 2026.