Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H4690: An Act establishing a temporary moratorium on the siting of lithium battery storage facilities
Status: Failed, April 6, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, April 24, 2025:
SECTION 1. Chapter 164 of the General Laws, as appearing in the most recent edition, is hereby amended by adding the following new section: Temporary Moratorium on Lithium Battery Storage Facility Siting. (a) Definitions- As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings: "Battery storage facility"- a facility that uses lithium-based batteries to store and distribute electrical energy. "State permitting authority"- any state agency responsible for granting permits related to energy infrastructure, including but not limited to the Department of Public Utilities and the Energy Facilities Siting Board. "Study commission"- a panel of experts established under subsection (c) to assess the risks and regulatory needs of lithium battery storage facilities. (b) Establishment of Moratorium- (1) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, no new permits shall be issued for the construction or operation of lithium battery storage facilities within the Commonwealth for a period of 18 months from the effective date of this act. (2) Facilities that have already received final approval prior to the effective date of this act may proceed with construction and operation, provided they comply with all applicable safety and environmental regulations. (c) Study Commission on Lithium Battery Storage Risks- (1) A study commission shall be established to assess the environmental, public health, and safety risks associated with lithium battery …
Sponsors
- Kelly Pease (R, 4th Hampden) · primary sponsor
- Justin Thurber (R)
- Joseph McKenna (R, 18th Worcester)
- Steven Xiarhos (R, 5th Barnstable)
- Kenneth Sweezey (R)
- John Velis (D, Hampden and Hampshire)
- David DeCoste (R, 5th Plymouth)
- John Marsi (R, 6th Worcester)
- Peter Durant (R, Worcester and Hampshire)
- James Arena-DeRosa (D)
- Homar Gómez (D)
- Donald Berthiaume (R)
Latest actions
- : Accompanied a study order, see H5323
- : Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- : Hearing rescheduled to 11/13/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-2 and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing location changed</span>
- : Hearing scheduled for 11/13/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
- : Senate concurred
- : Reported, referred to the committee on Joint Rules, reported, rules suspended and referred to the committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
- : Referred to the committee on House Rules
Common questions
- What is H4690?
- H4690 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act establishing a temporary moratorium on the siting of lithium battery storage facilities.
- What is the status of H4690?
- Failed as of April 6, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5323 (April 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored H4690?
- Kelly Pease (R, 4th Hampden), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H4690?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4690
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.