Massachusetts H3529: An Act relative to building energy and decarbonization

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:

SECTION 1. Said section 10 of said chapter 25A is hereby further amended by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:- (c ½ ) To qualify as a green plus community, a municipality or other governmental body shall: (1) file an application with the division in a form and manner to be prescribed by the division; (2) establish a greenhouse gas emissions baseline inventory for residential, commercial and industrial buildings sited within the municipality, which may also include transportation, waste, and other sources of emissions within the municipality; (3) put in place a comprehensive plan whose implementation begins within 1 year from the date of initial participation in the program, designed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions baseline inventory by a percentage approved by the division that is not less than 20 per cent within 5 years of initial participation in the program; (4) adopt the municipal opt-in specialized stretch energy code established in subsection 14 of Section 6 of chapter 25A; and (5) fulfill qualifications subsection 2 through 6 inclusive of the green community program as described in section (c) or be served by a municipal lighting plant. Preference shall be given to those municipalities that include additional sources of emissions within their greenhouse gas emissions baseline inventory. Not later than one year after the adoption of this …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Joan Meschino (D, 3rd Plymouth) · primary sponsor
• Nick Collins (D, First Suffolk)
• Joanne Comerford (D, Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester)
• Manny Cruz (D)
• Marjorie Decker (D, 25th Middlesex)
• Samantha Montaño (D)
• Margaret Scarsdale (D)
• Danillo Sena (D)
• Erika Uyterhoeven (D, 27th Middlesex)

Latest actions

1. April 6, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5323
2. December 4, 2025: Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
3. September 25, 2025: Hearing rescheduled to 09/25/2025 from 01:00 PM-04:30 PM in A-1 and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>
4. September 15, 2025: Hearing scheduled for 09/25/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
5. February 27, 2025: Senate concurred
6. February 27, 2025: Referred to the committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Common questions

What is H3529?

H3529 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act relative to building energy and decarbonization.

What is the status of H3529?

Failed as of April 6, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5323 (April 6, 2026).

Who sponsored H3529?

Joan Meschino (D, 3rd Plymouth), with 8 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H3529?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3529