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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2420 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3998
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Kip A. Diggs and James C. Arena-DeRosa
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to promoting native plantings for stormwater management, pollinator support
and climate resilience.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Kip A. Diggs2nd Barnstable1/16/2025James C. Arena-DeRosa8th Middlesex1/16/2025 1 of 4
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2420 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3998
By Representatives Diggs of Barnstable and Arena-DeRosa of Holliston, a petition
(accompanied by bill, House, No. 3998) of Kip A. Diggs and James C. Arena-DeRosa that the
Division of Highways be authorized to establish a program to promote the cultivation and
maintenance of native flowering plants, grasses and shrubs on land bordering along state
highways and other public lands. Transportation.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to promoting native plantings for stormwater management, pollinator support
and climate resilience.
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to
address native planting in the commonwealth, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency
law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
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. Chapter 29 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting, after
2Section 2JJJJJJ, the following section:-
3 Section 2KKKKKK. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the
4commonwealth a separate fund, to be known as the Native Planting Fund. It shall consist of
5amounts credited to the fund in accordance with this section. The secretary of the Massachusetts
6Department of Transportation shall be the custodian of the fund.
7 (b) The fund shall consist of: (i) revenue from appropriations or other money authorized
8by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (ii) interest earned on 2 of 4
9money in the fund; (iii) state and federal grants for green infrastructure projects; and (iv) revenue
10generated from the sale of a dedicated vanity license plate featuring native pollinator imagery.
11Amounts credited to the fund shall not be subject to further appropriation and any money
12remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund.
13 (c) Money in the fund shall be expended to support the establishment and implementation
14of the program established in section 33 of chapter 81, including grants to municipalities and
15partnerships with environmental organizations. Priority funding shall be given to projects
16demonstrating significant community and environmental benefits in the commonwealth.
17 (d) The Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall annually, not later than
18December 31, report on the activity of the fund to the: (i) chairs of the joint committee on
19environment and natural resources; (ii) chairs of the joint committee on transportation; (iii) house
20and senate committees on ways and means; and (iv) clerks of the house of representatives and
21senate.
22 SECTION 2. Chapter 81 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following
23section:-
24 Section 33. (a) The department shall establish a program to promote the cultivation and
25maintenance of native flowering plants, grasses and shrubs on land bordering along state
26highways and other public lands. The department shall establish objectives for the program
27including: (i) incorporating native plantings into green infrastructure solutions, such as rain
28gardens, bio-swales and permeable landscapes to reduce runoff, filter pollutants and improve
29water quality; (ii) establishing and enhancing habitats for pollinators, including bees, butterflies
30and other beneficial insects by prioritizing plant species native to the region; and (iii) utilizing 3 of 4
31native vegetation to improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce the need for emissions-
32intensive maintenance activities such as mowing and pesticide applications.
33 (b) The department, in consultation with the department of agricultural resources, the
34department of environmental protection and relevant environmental organizations, shall: (i)
35identify and prioritize suitable locations and areas that would benefit from improved stormwater
36management, reduced maintenance or enhanced biodiversity; (ii) develop standards for selecting
37and maintaining plant species to ensure their ecological suitability, resilience and effectiveness in
38achieving the program’s goals; (iii) encourage the use of innovative stormwater management
39techniques that integrate native vegetation; and (iv) coordinate with municipalities, regional
40planning agencies and environmental groups to implement pilot projects and community-based
41initiatives.
42 (c) The department shall to support the program’s implementation by establishing: (i)
43grants to municipalities for designing and installing green infrastructure projects utilizing native
44plantings; (ii) partnerships with local nurseries and landscapers to supply native plants and
45support job creation; (iii) public-private partnerships to reduce costs and enhance the program’s
46outreach; and (iv) in consultation with the registry of motor vehicles, a vanity license plate
47featuring native pollinator imagery, with the proceeds supporting the program’s activities and
48grants to municipalities.
49 (d) The department shall promote community engagement and education by: (i)
50developing and disseminating educational materials about the environmental, economic and
51health benefits of native plantings and stormwater management; (ii) encouraging citizen
52involvement through volunteer programs, local workshops and monitoring initiatives; and (iii) 4 of 4
53collaborating with school and community organizations to promote environmental stewardship
54and awareness.
55 (e) The department shall establish measurable goals and metrics to assess the program’s
56effectiveness, including: (i) the reduction in stormwater runoff and improvement in water
57quality; (ii) increases in pollinator populations and biodiversity; (iii) cost savings in maintenance
58and operations; and (iv) annual reporting to the general public and the legislature on the
59program’s progress.
60 (f) The department shall, pursuant to chapter 30A, promulgate rules and regulations to
61carry out the purposes of this section within 1 year of its effective date.