|
The Massachusetts Chapter works to pass important
environmental bills and the state and local level. To get involved in our
legislative program, please contact
legislate@sierraclubmass.org.
Sierra Club 2009-2010 Legislation
Working to Pass Environmental Legislation
How Our Legislative Process Works
Our state legislature runs in 2-year cycles. All bills, except
"emergency bills" that are to be considered during each session MUST be
filed in the first two weeks of the 2-year session. Within approximately
one month, the bills are assigned to one of the legislature's committees,
e.g. Committee on Natural Resources and Environment. A hearing is
scheduled where the public is free to speak on the bills' merits. Hearing
can be held very quickly at the beginning of the session or up to 18
months into the session. After the hearing, the committee will meet to
vote on whether they recommend the bill for passage - or give a negative
report - or say nothing - or "send to study". In most cases, "send to
study" is the equivalent of doing nothing. If a bill receives a positive
recommendation, it's typically sent to the Ways and Means Committee where
it receives further review. A bill can also be sent to other committees.
Finally, if all committees agree, a bill can go to each body: the house
and the senate. If they both agree, and their versions are identical, the
bill is then sent to the Governor for final approval.
The Sierra Club actively participates in this process by:
- Authoring Legislation
- Offering Written and Oral Testimony on Key Bills
- Lobbying Members of the Legislature
Volunteer to Help The Legislative Action Committee
We need volunteers who are passionate about key environmental
challenges in Massachusetts to “adopt” one or more bills so we can help it
pass successfully. You don’t need to be an expert, just someone who cares
about issues such as keeping our air and water clean; safeguarding our
families from toxic chemicals; preserving open space; reducing waste;
protecting wildlife; and more.
Typically, volunteers start by selecting one (or more) of the
Sierra-supported bills that they care about. Before we offer testimony, we
prepare written testimony, typically 2-3 pages and footnoted. If you enjoy
research and can help is, this is our greatest need! If you wish, you can
also deliver your testimony live at the committee hearing.
To learn how you can get involved, please e-mail
legislate@sierraclubmass.org
This year’s legislative priorities include:
- Reducing waste and increasing state revenues through an Updated
Bottle Bill, which would add water, juice, sports drinks, and other
beverages that weren’t included in the original bottle bill
- Banning diesel wherever possible
- Placing a moratorium on any new use of coal, including
so-called "clean coal"
- Protecting the state's ancient forests by creating Old Growth
Forest Reserves
- Reducing air and water pollution from personal watercrafts and other
two-stroke engines
- Preventing the ongoing taking of our public parks for other
uses
- Cleaning up our air and preventing sprawl by providing better public
transportation choices for all citizens of the commonwealth
Sierra Authored and Sierra Supported Bills
(pending)
Please note: Bill status is based on the best information
available to us at time of publication. The status and/or language of bills
can change quickly and the Sierra Club reserves the right to change its
position on a bill based on the most recent data, which may not be posted on
this web site. In many cases, no position on a bill indicates that it is a
recent file or the Sierra Club has not yet completed a formal analysis and
voted to take a position on the proposed legislation. Please check back for
updates, or sign up for SCAN for the
latest news and alerts.
|