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MassachusettsS 3236194th General Court (2025-2026)Senate

An Act authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game to convey easements over certain parcels of land

Sponsored By: Dylan A. Fernandes (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

House Ways and MeansHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New conservation land and payments

Algonquin must give the Commonwealth about 7.00 acres for conservation and public recreation. A qualified appraiser sets values, and the Inspector General reviews the method and files a report before any deal is signed. Algonquin must pay at least the higher of market value or value‑in‑use for the easements, or pay the difference if its land is worth less. All money goes to the state Biodiversity Fund for future land buys. Algonquin also pays all engineering, survey, appraisal, and paperwork costs.

Pipeline easements on state conservation land

The law lets the state grant Algonquin a 50‑foot‑wide permanent pipeline easement at Joint Base Cape Cod. It also allows temporary work areas and access roads for building and upkeep. One authorized route covers about 5.272 acres; an alternative includes three named parcels. The conservation parcels are under Article 97, and state asset and fish and game chiefs set the terms.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dylan A. Fernandes

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • David T. Vieira

    Republican • House

  • Steven George Xiarhos

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 175 • No: 0

House vote • 7/31/2026

Enacted

Yes: 152 • No: 0

committee vote • 7/31/2026

Committee Favorable with Amendment: S.3236 “An Act authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game to convey easements over certain parcels of land” as amended

Yes: 23 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor, Chapter 186 of the Acts of 2026

    8/7/2026

  2. Laid before the Governor

    7/31/2026Senate

  3. Enacted -see Roll Call #235 (Yeas 39 to Nays 0)

    7/31/2026Senate

  4. Enacted - 152 YEAS to 0 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 267)

    7/31/2026House

  5. Senate concurred in the House amendment

    7/31/2026Senate

  6. Rules suspended

    7/31/2026Senate

  7. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    7/31/2026House

  8. Rules suspended

    7/31/2026House

  9. Ordered to a third reading

    7/31/2026House

  10. Read second, amended (as recommended by the committee on House Ways and Means)

    7/31/2026House

  11. Rules suspended

    7/31/2026House

  12. Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting with the amendment pending

    7/31/2026House

  13. Committee recommended ought to pass with an amendment, striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting the text of H5637, and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

    7/31/2026House

  14. Read; and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means

    7/30/2026House

  15. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    7/30/2026Senate

  16. Ordered to a third reading

    7/30/2026Senate

  17. New draft (Fernandes) of S3189

    7/30/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Chapter 186 of the Acts of 2026

    8/7/2026

    PDF

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