The proposed bill amends various chapters of the General Laws to promote environmentally sustainable practices within state operations. It introduces a ban on the purchase of single-serving bottled water for state facilities served by public water supplies, except in specific safety, health, or emergency situations. Additionally, the bill mandates that state funds be allocated for the leasing or purchasing of electric vehicles and electric vehicle infrastructure, aiming for 45% of the state's light-duty fleet to consist of zero-emission vehicles by 2030. It also requires the installation of at least 200 electric vehicle charging stations at state properties by the same year.
Furthermore, the bill prohibits the purchase of gasoline-powered leaf blowers for state use starting July 1, 2025, and prohibits their use by state contractors or subcontractors by January 1, 2028. It mandates that all public buildings be staffed with at least one custodian certified in the fundamentals of composting and recycling. The bill also requires state funds to be used to purchase renewable and energy-efficient technologies for state properties, and it outlines the requirement for annual reports on the implementation of these measures to be submitted to the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4), the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the governor by January 31 each year. The act is designed to lead by example in reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on sustainability in state operations.