Massachusetts lawmakers would set aside $75 million for municipal flood-risk protection programs, money aimed at the places where flooding can do the most damage. Projects that pose the greatest risk to public health, safety or the environment could get priority, and the Department of Environmental Protection would have to start filing semiannual reports by Dec. 31, 2026.
A fund for the hardest-hit projects
The grant pool is meant for local flood-control work, not a broad climate bucket. That means municipalities would have a dedicated pot to compete for when they need help protecting roads, neighborhoods and other vulnerable spots from rising water and storm damage.
The money would remain available through June 30, 2032, giving towns a longer runway to plan projects and apply for aid as flood risks keep pressing on local budgets.
A public record, twice a year
The reporting requirement is what turns the grants into something residents can follow. Beginning Dec. 31, 2026, DEP would have to file semiannual reports with the House and Senate ways and means committees listing the grants issued, the amounts awarded to each municipality, the program types supported and the number of applications received.
That gives taxpayers a clearer way to see which communities are getting help and which kinds of flood projects are winning state backing.
Sources
Synthesized from 7 verified citationsSynthesized by AI linked to original documents.