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

• Click here for a list of bills that we're working on

Working to Pass Environmental Legislation

How Our Legislative Process Works

• See the State's website
• or the Mass Bar Association's description

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.