Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H778 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3556 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
3	3	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 778
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Michael S. Day, (BY REQUEST)
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying
12	12	resolve:
13	13	Resolve to review, consider, and evaluate, and to establish a suitable body and/or special
14	14	commission to consider climate change economic consequences.
15	15	_______________
16	16	PETITION OF:
17	17	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Vincent L. Dixon60 Lake Street – Unit N Winchester,
18	18	Mass. 01890
19	19	1/20/2023 1 of 3
20	20	HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3556 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
21	21	HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 778
22	22	By Representative Day of Stoneham (by request), a petition (accompanied by resolve, House,
23	23	No. 778) of Vincent L. Dixon for an investigation by a special commission (including members
24	24	of the General Court) to study the economic consequences of climate change. Environment and
25	25	Natural Resources.
26	26	[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
27	27	SEE HOUSE, NO. 877 OF 2021-2022.]
28	28	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
29	29	_______________
30	30	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
31	31	(2023-2024)
32	32	_______________
33	33	Resolve to review, consider, and evaluate, and to establish a suitable body and/or special
34	34	commission to consider climate change economic consequences.
35	35	1 Resolved, 1.) It appears, and it is generally agreed, that Climate Change, is occurring,
36	36	2across our Planet Earth, and that there are actual present consequences, and potential actual
37	37	3future consequences of these circumstances. It has generally been determined that there is a
38	38	4global warming phenomena, that this can also lead to various extremes, that cause rises in water
39	39	5levels, extreme variations in temperature, risks of extreme droughts, exaggerated extremes in
40	40	6storms, and other effects.
41	41	7 2.) While there are numerous arguments regarding, specific details of causation, its
42	42	8extent, and its potential severity, there is little argument, as to the reality of these circumstances. 2 of 3
43	43	9 3.) Important aspects of government, public policy, and public services, include, but are
44	44	10not limited to, providing for the public good, in terms of lives, public health, public safety, and
45	45	11reasonable protection of property, both public, and private.
46	46	12 4.) Recent disasters, and continuing erosion, especially along the Massachusetts coast,
47	47	13numerous flooding events within the Commonwealth, and other severe weather events, have
48	48	14caused damage to the Commonwealth, its citizens, its businesses, and its economic costs; and
49	49	15potentially presage many further, potentially damaging events.
50	50	16 5.) While larger policies, can most effectively be dealt with by the broader Federal
51	51	17agencies, and government; and various international agreements; there are numerous practical
52	52	18circumstances, that should be addressed, and measured, in terms of looking forward, for the
53	53	19reasonable security of our Commonwealth; and its cities, and towns.
54	54	20 6.) It is in the interests of all residents of our Commonwealth, that their local
55	55	21governments in the municipalities, and other public agencies, be able to anticipate such costs,
56	56	22needs for various actions, and what amounts of financing, may be needed, as part of responsible
57	57	23public services, and long-term planning. This will assist residents, home owners, businesses,
58	58	24institutions, and other stakeholders, in their long-term planning, as well as their ordinary
59	59	25operations.
60	60	26 7.) Therefore, this Resolve, creates a Climate Change Economic Consequences
61	61	27Commission, to collect data (including both existing, and new needed data); assess various
62	62	28likely, and possible, scenarios, relating to climate changes, environmental variations, and other
63	63	29reasonable adjustments of public policy; and to report on various levels of cost, appropriate 3 of 3
64	64	30descriptions of insurance, and financing; in terms of individuals, possible disasters, and other
65	65	31related matters, that are important to the people of our Commonwealth.
66	66	32 8.) Membership – The membership of this Commission shall be appointed as follows: A
67	67	33total membership of twenty-one (21); five (5) appointed by the Governor, five (5) by the
68	68	34President of the Senate, five (5) by the Speaker of the House; and the remaining six (6) by the
69	69	35first fifteen (15); from individuals of the Commonwealth applying, including representatives of
70	70	36organizations, scientists, local city and town municipalities, insurance adjusters, financial
71	71	37organizational planners, infrastructure experts, and ordinary citizens.
72	72	38 9.) Duration of Commission – This Commission shall hold regular hearings, at least four
73	73	39(4) per year, across the Commonwealth, and file reports, on an at least annual basis, completing
74	74	40its business, not later than five (5) years after its establishment.