The House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee released its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2020 on April 10, 2019. The release of the spending plan, from the House Ways and Means Committee now chaired by Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, will be followed by the filing of several hundred amendments that are due by Friday, April 12 at 5 PM. House budget debate is expected to begin the week of April 22. Water related line items are as follows:
• 1599-0093 For contract assistance to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust including, but not limited to, the debt service obligations of the trust, principal forgiveness, interest rate reduction and other subsidies or financial assistance pursuant to sections 6 and 18 of chapter 29C of the General Laws ………………………………………………………………………………………. $63,383,680
• 2250-2000 For the commonwealth’s implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 under section 18A of chapter 21A of the General Laws; provided, that the department may expend funds for the study and remediation of lead in public school drinking water ………………………………………………………….. $2,240,953
2800-0101 For the watershed management program to operate and maintain reservoirs, watershed lands and related infrastructure of the department House Ways and Means Committee 49 of conservation and recreation and the office of water resources in the department; provided, that the amount of the payment shall be charged to the General Fund and shall not be included in the amount of the annual determination of fiscal year charges to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority assessed to the authority under the General Laws; provided further, that the department shall continue to make payments under chapter 616 of the acts of 1957, as amended by section 89 of chapter 801 of the acts of 1963; and provided further, that the department shall continue to make payments under chapter 307 of the acts of 1987 for the use of certain land……………………………………………………… $1,523,447
