The bill provides a comprehensive status report on the Massachusetts Underground Storage Tank Petroleum Product Cleanup Fund, as mandated by the FY2025 budget. It outlines the history and purpose of the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 21J, which governs the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program, including the establishment of a dedicated UST Fund for reimbursement claims and administrative costs. The report highlights the program's financial performance, noting that over $85.3 million was collected in FY2024, with projections of over $88 million for FY2025. It details the reimbursement process for UST owners and operators, including eligibility criteria and maximum reimbursement limits for cleanup costs and third-party damages. The report also mentions a grant program for cities and towns to assist in the removal and replacement of outdated USTs, although it has not been funded since 2009.

In addition to the status report, the bill introduces several enhancements to the UST Program, emphasizing compliance and operational improvements. It mandates reporting on non-compliance issues and outlines actions against facilities that fail to meet UST regulations, including notices for pending Certificate of Compliance (COC) revocations. The bill also establishes an electronic claim filing and management system called eUST, streamlining the application process and reducing administrative burdens. Furthermore, it implements an automatic COC renewal process for eligible facility owners, addresses regulatory changes such as adjustments to the UST Delivery Fee for inflation, and requires electronic filing of all program applications. These changes aim to enhance compliance, efficiency, and transparency within the UST Program.