Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H4036: An Act authorizing the town of Brookline to adopt green zoning by-laws and regulations
Status: Failed, April 6, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, April 17, 2025:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding section 3 of chapter 40A, section 95 of chapter 143 or chapter 164 of the General Laws, any statute or regulation relating to the state building code and its incorporated specialty codes or any other general or special law to the contrary, the town of Brookline may adopt zoning by-laws and regulations for the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency and otherwise addressing specific harms stemming from or contributing to the climate crisis. SECTION 2. A zoning by-law or regulation, the adoption of which is authorized by this act, shall not be deemed invalid or unenforceable or have its approval withheld by the attorney general on the basis that it regulates: (i) the use of materials or methods of construction of buildings, whether or not otherwise regulated by the state building code; or (ii) the use, inclusion or prohibition of certain design elements, components, equipment or infrastructure for the construction of buildings including, but not limited to, heating and cooling systems, solar energy systems and electric vehicle charging systems. SECTION 3. A zoning by-law or regulation, the adoption of which is authorized by this act, shall not be deemed invalid or unenforceable or have its approval withheld by the attorney general on the basis that it regulates: (i) air emissions regulated by the department …
Sponsors
- Tommy Vitolo (D, 15th Norfolk) · primary sponsor
- Cynthia Creem (D)
Latest actions
- : Accompanied a study order, see H5323
- : Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- : Hearing scheduled for 10/29/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
- : Senate concurred
- : Discharged to the committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Common questions
- What is H4036?
- H4036 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act authorizing the town of Brookline to adopt green zoning by-laws and regulations.
- What is the status of H4036?
- Failed as of April 6, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5323 (April 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored H4036?
- Tommy Vitolo (D, 15th Norfolk), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for H4036?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4036
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.