The Massachusetts Senate today (4/15/26) passed the Mass Ready Act, an environmental bond bill that takes action to support the removal of ‘forever chemicals’ from drinking water, help municipalities withstand floods and droughts, and make outdoor recreation possible for more residents through improved trails and parks.
In an effort to preserve the natural world and cut down on pollution, the legislation would remove single-use plastic bags from retail checkout counters and take other steps to curb unnecessary and wasteful reliance on single-use plastics.
The bill — S.3050, formally known as An Act to build resilience for Massachusetts communities—features policy proposals such as the preservation of public beach access, expedited timelines for culvert replacement projects, and requirements to inform prospective homebuyers and renters of flood risks, in addition to $3.94 billion in bonding authorizations.
The bonding measures would allow strategic state borrowing, including $120 million for PFAS remediation in public water supplies and private drinking water wells, $500 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program to help prepare for extreme weather and climate challenges, and $50 million for MassTrails grants to support the development of recreational trail systems across Massachusetts.
“As the crew of Artemis II recently reminded us, we only have one planet—an oasis of life in a dark and empty universe,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The beautiful images of our planet from space reinforce the awe-inspiring responsibility we have to keep the earth healthy and thriving. Closer to home, the Mass Ready Act will help reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and ensure we have access to clean air and water, as well as numerous opportunities to enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds us for decades to come. I am fully grateful for Senator Rausch’s efforts to bring a comprehensive bill to the Senate floor, to Senator Rodrigues and the Senate Committee on Ways and Means for their diligent work on this bill, and to all of my Senate colleagues. This was a true team effort, with every member of the Senate giving input on this bill, resulting in a historic proposal I was proud to bring to the Senate floor.”
“With over $3 billion for the Mass Ready Act, the Senate goes big on the environment, meeting the threat of climate change head on, and ensuring that future generations will continue to have clean air and water,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This sweeping environmental bond bill not only equips municipalities with the tools they need to withstand the extremities of floods and droughts, but also supports residents who deserve safe drinking water, and clean soil for their backyard garden. The passage of this bill is fitting, as next week we celebrate Earth Day, staying true to this year’s theme of ‘Our Power, Our Planet,’ which calls for civic action and policy initiatives that work for a sustainable future. By working together, we move the Commonwealth to a more resilient economic future.”
“Today, we advanced the most comprehensive environment-centered climate action bill in Massachusetts history,” said Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. “Trump’s relentless attacks on our environment do not change these simple truths: nature both centers us and sustains us, and we are responsible for its protection, preservation, sustainability, and resilience. The Mass Ready Act is once-in-a-generation legislation, packed with policy and funding authorizations to prevent flooding damage, reduce single-use plastics, enhance biodiverse ecosystems, support parks and trails, bolster local efforts to address vulnerability, promote nature-based solutions, measure water access equity, and much more. I am immensely proud of this stunning achievement, realized through thoughtful collaboration, and truly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Senate President Karen Spilka, Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, our Senate colleagues, my committee co-chair Representative Christine Barber, our staffs, and the many environmental advocates whose voices and expertise have been instrumental in this process.”
The Senate’s Mass Ready Act would authorize state borrowing to invest in a resilient environment and an accessible natural world. Bonding authorizations support priorities in five key areas:
Guarding Against Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events. Highlighted by $500 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, supporting climate resiliency planning in cities and towns.
Protecting Clean Drinking Water and Soil. $450 million for the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust to protect access to clean water across the Commonwealth, in addition to $120 million for PFAS remediation in public and private wells. $125.5 million to support resource conservation and preservation initiatives, including $5.5 million for the Healthy Soils Grant Program.
Investing in Infrastructure. $225 million for coastal infrastructure and resilience. $800.5 million for properties and roadways owned and managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). $521.6 million for state and municipally owned dams across the Commonwealth.
Conserving the Natural World. $30 million for tree-planting initiatives across the Commonwealth. $50 million for MassTrails Grants, including $10 million for accessibility upgrades that protect access to trails for all Massachusetts residents. $20 million to support the biodiversity goals of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG).
Supporting Farmers and Nutritional Food Access. $20 million for capital investments to support the growth and economic competitiveness of the Commonwealth’s agricultural, commercial fishing and cranberry-growing sectors. $132.5 million for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) program including $7.5 million for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program (MFTP) to increase access to healthy, affordable food.
A core policy in the Senate’s Mass Ready Act would respond to increasing amounts of litter and pollution by prohibiting single-use plastic bags at retail stores. Shoppers would instead be able to check out with a recyclable paper bag or a reusable plastic bag.
Massachusetts residents are estimated to use billions of plastic bags per year. A plastic bag tossed to the side of a road can pose immediate risks, such as the suffocation or starvation of wildlife, while also fragmenting over time into microplastics that pollute the earth.
During the course of today’s debate, Senators voted to amend the bill with additional significant policies and bonding authorizations, including:
Ensuring Clean Water in Schools. Dedicates $15 million for a grant program administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to address PFAS, lead, and other contaminants in schools and childcare centers through the installation of filtered water stations and faucets. Priority for the award of funds may be given to school districts or childcare centers in low income or environmental justice communities. (Amendment 2)
Preventing PFAS Pollution. Focuses on proactive prevention of PFAS or 'forever chemical' pollution with $5 million to promote the use of safer alternatives to PFAS in products and manufacturing. Funds research, technical assistance, and a competitive grant program. (Amendment 87)
Protecting Wildlife from Unintended Poisonings. Creates a local-option mechanism for towns and cities to choose to ban anticoagulant rodenticides. While anticoagulant poisons are targeted at killing rodents, they can prove a danger to pets or travel up the food chain and harm or kill other animals such as eagles and hawks. (Amendment 3)
Monitoring Ocean Health. Protects natural wildlife and supports commercial fisheries by requiring more robust, centralized data collection around ocean acidification. Ocean acidification is caused by rising carbon levels in the air and other factors such as stormwater runoff and fertilizer pollution—and leads to damaged marine biodiversity and smaller shellfish crops. Authorizes $500,000 in bonding to establish a monitoring system. (Amendments 222 and 262)
Details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate press room.
The bill passed by the Senate today was redrafted and reported to the full body by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means with a 15-0 vote on April 8, 2026. It is the most recent version of the Mass Ready Act, which was filed by Governor Maura Healey in 2025 and received favorable reports from the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. All committee votes are publicly posted on the Legislature’s website.
The Senate passed the bill on a 36-3 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review.
Statements of Support
Governor Maura Healey
“The Mass Ready Act is a significant investment in building safer, stronger communities. This bill strengthens the infrastructure every Massachusetts community relies on. With it, we are ready for extreme weather, improving food security, and protecting water and nature. We’re grateful to Senate President Spilka, Chair Rodrigues, Chair Rausch and the Senate for moving this important bill forward.”
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll
“This bill meets the needs of our communities, especially those that face tough financial choices when it comes to things like fixing water systems or upgrading aging infrastructure. The Mass Ready Act is about making sure every community has the tools and resources to ensure strong infrastructure, clean water and investments in our local economies.”
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper
“The Mass Ready Act prepares our communities for the future. It unlocks innovative funding for projects that protect our environment and enhance long-term resilience. I want to thank the Senate for pushing this critical legislation forward—it will protect our residents, infrastructure, and the natural places we value as we face the challenges of climate change.”
Anna Darrow, New England Policy Manager, Appalachian Mountain Club
“The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is grateful to the Senate for its hard work on this historic investment in conservation and outdoor recreation. We are particularly grateful for the investment in MassTrails and the $10 million for accessible trails. Expanding accessible trails in Massachusetts has been a longstanding AMC priority that reflects our mission of fostering the enjoyment of the outdoors for all. The AMC is proud of its expertise in accessible trail construction and looks forward to partnering with the Commonwealth on this exciting work.”
Lizzi Weyant, Executive Director, Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
“This bill represents a meaningful step forward in preparing the Commonwealth for a more climate resilient future. We are incredibly grateful that this version of the bill includes not only residential flood disclosure but also an increase in funding for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program and additional funding for Regional Planning Agencies to assist municipalities with biodiversity and climate mitigation efforts. These investments are critical to support cities and towns in the face of unprecedented federal uncertainty.”
Linda Orel, Chief Impact Officer, Boston Harbor Now
“Boston Harbor Now is impressed with the Mass Ready Act released by the Senate last week. We are grateful for the significant improvements made to streamline state and local permitting processes to further nature-based climate solutions as well as increased authorization for key grant opportunities for communities and nonprofits like the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program and Mass Trails.”
Patrick Herron, Executive Director, Mystic River Watershed Association
—On behalf of the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Coalition
“The MVP program is the keystone of our Commonwealth’s climate resilience efforts. It provides critical funding for proactive, equitable, and nature-based solutions to fortify our infrastructure, protect our ecosystems, and ensure the well-being of generations to come. The MVP Coalition, a group of municipal, regional, watershed, and conservation organizations from across the Commonwealth, extends its deepest gratitude to the Massachusetts Senate for including $500 million for the MVP program in the Mass Ready Act. This investment meets the scale needed for Massachusetts to become the most resilient state in the nation.”
Janet Domenitz, Executive Director, MASSPIRG
“Seeing the gorgeous photos of Earth, courtesy of the Artemis crew, reminds us how important it is to care for our planet in every way we can. Reducing the use of plastic bags is a simple, commonsense way to get rid of some of the plastic pollution plaguing our environment.”
David O’Neill, President & CEO, Mass Audubon
“I testified in support of The Mass Ready Act because it maps out crucial environmental priorities for the next five years and I commend Senate leadership for moving this bold proposal forward. These investments in clean water, clean air, and land protection will be key factors for the success of vital ecological restoration and nature-based solutions to protect the nature of our Commonwealth. I also want to acknowledge the Senate leadership specifically, for supporting key provisions to streamline environmental permitting for resiliency and restoration.”
Katie Theoharides, President and CEO, The Trustees of Reservations
“We applaud the Massachusetts Senate for a bill that invests in building safer communities in the face of the ongoing impacts of climate change. By boosting the investment in the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program to $500 million and creating a smoother permitting pathway for ecological restoration projects, Massachusetts will be able to more fully and quickly deploy nature-based solutions that make communities wonderful places to live, work and raise a family."
David Melly, Senior Policy Director, Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM)
“ELM is pleased to support an environmental bond proposal that meets the present-day needs of communities while preparing for the future. In order to ensure clean air, clean water, natural resource protection, and access to green space, robust funding and smart, targeted policy must go hand in hand. We believe this proposal takes important steps toward addressing new challenges like PFAS contamination and coastal climate impacts while reinvesting in proven, successful programs that make Massachusetts an attractive place to live, work, and visit.”
Vikki N. Spruill, President and CEO, New England Aquarium
“It is imperative that we invest in our ocean through ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation to protect our communities and preserve the environment. Thank you to the Massachusetts Senate and Senate President Spilka for their forward-looking leadership on the Mass Ready Act, a critical piece of legislation.”
Rebecca Miller, Policy Director, Massachusetts Food System Collaborative
“The Massachusetts Food System Collaborative is grateful for the passage of S.3050, the Mass Ready Act. This comprehensive package demonstrates the Senate's continuing support for the Commonwealth's agricultural sector with investments in the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program, the Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program, and the Climate Smart Agriculture Program, among others. The bond also grants the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources additional authority to protect farmland as it comes up for sale. At a time when the Commonwealth lost 27,000 acres of farmland in a five-year period, farmers face increased costs, and the federal government is disinvesting in food security, this bond is necessary to sustain the local food system.”
Caitlin Peale Sloan, Vice President for Climate and Energy, Conservation Law Foundation
“The environmental bond bill is an important first step toward building a cleaner, more resilient future for our state. It makes meaningful investments in areas like thermal energy networks that move us in the right direction. We look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers to strengthen this bill so it can fully protect our families and businesses from more intense storms, dirty air and water, and rising seas.”
