MassachusettsH 4772194th General Court (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to grant easements in certain parcels of land to the city of Lowell.

Sponsored By: House Committee on Ways and Means

Signed by Governor

House Ways and Means

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Lowell gets easements for drains

The law lets the state grant permanent easements on Department of Conservation and Recreation land in Lowell. The easements are only for building, running, accessing, repairing, replacing, patrolling, abandoning, and removing outfall pipes, and for laying main drains. They cover three parcels along the Merrimack River, about 6,750 square feet, shown on the Bunker Hill Outfall Easement Plan dated December 2024 on file with the city. Easements must follow this law and any extra terms set by the commissioners.

Appraisals, payments, and oversight for easements

Before the conveyance, the Commissioner must complete a survey and set the exact boundaries. A qualified appraiser must do an independent appraisal. The Commissioner must send the appraisal and a report to the Inspector General, and give copies to key legislative committees at least 15 days before the deal is signed. The city must pay for needed appraisals, surveys, and related costs. As compensation, the city must fund improvements to nearby Department of Conservation and Recreation land or pay cash equal to at least the easement’s appraised market or use value, or both. Any improvements must be approved in advance and finished to the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s satisfaction. All money paid goes into the state’s Conservation Trust.

Strong rules to protect state park land

Easements can be used only for the drain and outfall work listed in the law. If that use stops, the rights return to the Commonwealth under the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and any later change needs legislative approval under state law. The easement holder must restore the land surface to equal or better condition, as set by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, within 24 months after starting the work.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

House Committee on Ways and Means
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

Rodney M. Elliott
Democratic • House
Tara T. Hong
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 153 • No: 0

House vote • 11/19/2025

Enacted