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Page 16 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – WEDnEsDAy, JuLy 3, 2024 BEACON | FROM Page 14 new or used electric vehicles; allow residents who own parcels within condominiums, homeowner associations and historic districts to install EV chargers; make it easier to decarbonize buildings across the state; modernize the ‘bottle bill’ by adding noncarbonated beverages, wine and spirits to the list of containers eligible for a bottle deposit and increasing the deposit amount from 5 cents to 10 cents; and rein in a statutory provision that for decades has given gas companies a preferential ratemaking advantage over providers of other heating sources. “Today’s vote isn’t just a step toward reaching our net-zero emissions mandate,” said Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem (D-Newton), Chair of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. “It’s a leap toward a greener, cleaner future. The gas system reforms in the Senate climate bill make Massachusetts the national leader in the transition from gas to clean forms of heating, and they also protect residents’ wallets.” “We are in a climate crisis,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (DAshland). “The Senate has heard loud and clear from residents, advocates and clean energy leaders that we need systemic infrastructure changes to deliver on our net zero by 2050 emissions goals. Today we are taking action to make it easier and more efficient to build clean energy infrastructure so that Massachusetts can deliver on our climate commitments and leave our kids with the green state and planet that they deserve.” “Mass Audubon is proud that our legislative climate and energy leaders and the Healey Administration have delivered an omnibus climate bill which reflects so many of the recommendations of the Commission on Clean Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting,” said Michelle Manion, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Mass Audubon. “[The bill] accelerates clean energy while also recognizing the importance of nature – our forests, wetlands and farms – in the climate fight, and that our towns and cities are essential partners in delivering on the solution set. This bill is the commonwealth’s next best step in addressing the climate crisis.” “The Massachusetts Senate has approached this legislation like Don Quixote, mistaking natural gas as an enemy worth eliminating when instead it should be considered a useful ally,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (RSutton) who voted against the bill. “This legislation not only severely undercuts the use of natural gas, it fails to address the cost of electricity in the commonwealth which is currently ranked as the fourth highest in the nation. If you love paying higher costs for electricity year after year, you’ll love this Senate legislation.” Fattman continued, “While more than half of Massachusetts households rely on natural gas for heating their homes and cooking their food, this legislation all but eliminates that possibility without providing a clear path on making other energy sources achievable, accessible and affordable. We are not prepared to implement these vast changes to our energy sector and a lack of preparation will, no doubt, lead to chaos down the road.” Sen. Peter Durant (R-Spencer) the only other senator who voted against the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on the bill and his vote. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes $1 BILLION CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE ACTION FUND (S 2829) Senate 1-38, rejected an amendment that would create a $1 billion Clean Energy and Climate Action Fund to be administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center, which would distribute funds to efficient retrofits and upgrades that fit into the state’s commitment to reducing emissions from the built environment. “I am extremely disappointed that this amendment was rejected as part of this bill,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mark Pacheco (D-Taunton). “The transition to clean energy will require a significant investment, and this investment is currently one of the biggest barriers to the transition to clean energy. The cost of this fund pales in comparison to the costs the Commonwealth will incur if the transition to clean energy is not expedited.” Amendment opponents said the $1 billion would come from the Rainy Day Fund which, because of lower tax revenue, has not been as flush with money as the Senate thought it would be. Sen. Mike Barrett (D-Lexington), a lead sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his opposition to this amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Lydia Edwards No HOUSING (S 2834) Senate 40-0, approved a housing bill that would authorize $5.4 billion in borrowing to spur housing production in the Bay State. Supporters said the package makes crucial policy changes with the goal of building new housing, accelerating the rehabilitation of existing housing, reducing barriers to development and promoting affordable housing. The House has already approved a different version of the package and a House-Senate conference committee will likely attempt to hammer out a compromise version. Provisions include $2.2 billion for repairs, rehabilitation and renovation of public housing; $425 million for the Housing Stabilization and Investment Trust Fund which works with cities and towns, non-profits and developers to support housing preservation, new construction,and rehabilitation projects to create affordable rental units; $800 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve housing for households with an income at or below 110 per cent of the area’s median income; $275 million for innovative, sustainable and green housing initiatives; $200 million for the CommonWealth Builder program to further the production of housing in gateway cities for first-time homebuyers; and creates a process for tenants to seal their eviction records in cases of no-fault evictions. “The … bill is more than a legislative measure -- it is a bold commitment to the principles of production, preservation and protection of housing across the commonwealth,” said Sen. Lydia Edwards (D-Boston), Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. “With a $5.4 billion investment, we are building new homes, preserving existing ones and ensuring that all residents, especially the most vulnerable, have access to safe and affordable housing.” “An affordable, equitable, and competitive commonwealth is one in which a renter can find an apartment within their budget, a family can afford a down payment on their first home, and residents aren’t priced out of communities where they want to live,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today the Senate took concrete action to make that vision a reality, a first step in rectifying decades of underinvestment that has led to our housing crisis.” “I’m thrilled that the Senate, in partnership with the House and the Healey-Driscoll administration, has addressed the very real housing crisis we face today, the greatest impediment to making it in Massachusetts,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (DWestport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This crisis takes many forms, including the lack of available housing, the lack of affordable housing, housing access and the waitlist for seniors and lower income families. This comprehensive bond bill addresses those barriers—and more—by dedicating $5.4 billion in a multi-year package to tackle this crisis head on. The passage of this legislation today now puts our ambitious plans in motion.” Although no senators voted against the bill, some tenant advocates criticized the package, noting that while both the House and Senate versions would take meaningful steps towards expanding affordable housing options, neither version does anything for people who are currently struggling to stay in their homes. “Even if all the housing envisioned in the bond bill is ultimately built, it would still be a drop in the bucket compared to the scale of the housing crisis that is forcing working people out on the street today,” said Carolyn Chou, executive director of Homes for All Mass. “Without immediate relief, tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents will be forced out of their homes by rising rents in the coming years, and we’ll continue to lose the working people who power our economy as they fall victim to predatory real estate speculators.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes APPEAL MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT (S 2834) Senate 6-34, rejected an amendment that would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop and promulgate regulations allowing a city or town affected by the zoning provisions of the MBTA Communities Act to appeal for relief from those provisions. Any appeal would have to be based on at least one of the following criteria: the community’s inability to meet the drinking water supply or wastewater requirements necessary to support the housing units authorized by the law’s zoning provisions; the inability of municipal transportation infrastructure to safely accommodate the increased population attributable to this housing development; any adverse environmental impacts attributable to the development of housing units under this act; and any adverse impacts on historic properties. Amendment supporters said the amendment would offer a reasonable appeal process to assist cities and towns impacted by the MBTA Communities Act. Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his amendment. Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) said that this amendment is similar to budget amendments that were discussed robustly and noted the Senate was firm in its opinion that it did not want to change course on the MBTA Communities Act. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment allowing an appeal. A “No” vote is against the amendment.) Sen. Lydia Edwards No HOME INSPECTIONS (S 2834) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that requires the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to implement regulations that secure a homebuyer’s right to have an inspection done on a property before finalizing the purchase of the home. The regulation bans the conditioning of a sale on waiving or limiting the buyer’s right to inspect the home. “Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases many families will ever make,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury). “Shouldn’t you have the right to know exactly what you’re purchasing before you sign a binding contract? This amendment will curb the practice of making offers that waive the right to a home inspection, something that’s become increasingly common in this ultra-competitive real estate market. Moore continued, ”Buyers must not feel obligated to waive inspections, risking their most important investment, in order to find their forever home. In a commonwealth where we have long taken a strong approach to consumer protections, this is an obvious step to protect families from financial ruin due to costly undisclosed repairs.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL REQUIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS (H 2289) – The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would allow cities and towns to require the installation of an automatic sprinkler system in every newly-constructed 1- or 2-family home. Sponsor Rep. Ruth Balser (DNewton) said that today’s new homes burn hotter and faster than those of the past because of modern construction techniques and synthetic furnishings. She noted that as a result, residents have only one to three minutes to flee the average home without sprinklers. “Automatic sprinklers work fast and give people more time to escape,” said Balser. “According to the Massachusetts Fire Sprinkler Coalition, having both sprinklers and smoke alarms reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by 80 percent. Additionally, automatic sprinklers put out 90 percent of home fires

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