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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1513 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 959
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Joanne M. Comerford
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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 providing for energy assistance during the summer months.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1513 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 959
By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 959) of Joanne M. Comerford
for legislation to provide for energy assistance during the summer months. Housing.
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 providing for energy assistance during the summer months.
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 23B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official
2Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 24B the following section:-
3 Section 23C. The executive office of housing and livable communities, in coordination
4with the department of energy resources, shall, subject to appropriation, operate an annual
5extreme heat energy assistance program to provide assistance in paying the energy bills of
6residents of Massachusetts earning no greater than 150 per cent of the federal poverty guideline,
7as defined by the federal government, or no greater than 60 per cent of the state median income
8level, whichever is greater, and of residents who are already found eligible for the Low-income
9Home Energy Assistance Program, during the period of May 15 to September 30. Said program
10may be administered in coordination with the Low-income Home Energy Assistance Act, 42
11United States Code sections 8621 et seq., or any successor acts thereto, subject to the following
12provisions: 2 of 2
13 (a) the executive office shall establish benefit rates and maximum benefits such that total
14benefits paid do not exceed the amount appropriated for this benefit; and
15 (b) the executive office shall use the same grantee agencies, similar applications and
16similar verification procedures as are used in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance
17Program, to the maximum extent possible. The executive office may also utilize a reasonable
18percentage of any funds appropriated, not exceeding 10 per cent of such funds, for administrative
19costs of the program.
20 SECTION 2. The executive office of housing and livable communities shall promulgate
21rules and regulations to implement the provisions of section 23C of chapter 23B of the general
22laws, as inserted by this act, no later than 6 months following the effective date of this act.