reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 21k § 9 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21k - Mitigation of Hazardous Materials|Section 9 - Confidentiality; Trade Secrets

Section 9. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, any information, record or particular part thereof obtained by the department, its personnel or contractors pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, upon request shall be confidential and shall not be considered to be a public record when it is determined by the state fire marshal that such information, record or report relates to secret processes, methods of manufacture or production or that such information, record or report, if made public, would divulge a trade secret.
MA Gen L ch 21l § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21l - Environmental Endangerment Act|Section 1 - Definitions

Section 1. As used in the chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:—  ''Buzzards bay'', the waterway bounded and described as follows: from Sakonnet point southward to the north end of the Buzzards bay traffic separation zone, to the southwestern tip of Cuttyhunk island thence through Buzzards bay to the eastern entrance of the Cape Cod canal at the United States Coast Guard ''CC'' buoy in Cape Cod bay, including Woods Hole passage and Quicks hole.  ''Environmental violation'', a violation of the following statutes or regulations promulgated thereunder: sections 26 to 53, inclusive, of chapter 21; chapter 21C, chapter 21E; sections 142A, 142B and 150A of chapter 111; and section 40 of chapter 131.  ''Natural resources'', land fish, wildlife, biota, air, water, groundwater and drinking water supplies belonging to, managed by, held in trust by, appertaining to or otherwise controlled by the commonwealth or any local government.  ''Organization'', a person other than an individual.  ''Person'', an individual, public or private corporation or authority, trust, firm, joint stock company, partnership, association or other entity and any officer, employee, or agent of such person and any group of persons.  ''Serious bodily injury'', bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which involves unconsciousness, extreme physical pain, protracted and obvious disfigurement, protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ or mental faculty, reproductive or genetic damage or a substantially increased risk of cancer or other chronic ailment.  ''Tank vessel'', a ship that is constructed or adapted to carry, or that carries, oil or other petroleum product in bulk as cargo and that operates on the waters of the commonwealth or transfers oil or other petroleum products in a port or place subject to the jurisdiction of the commonwealth.
MA Gen L ch 21l § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21l - Environmental Endangerment Act|Section 2 - Environmental Violations; Punishment

Section 2. (a) A person who knowingly or recklessly commits an environmental violation and thereby causes serious bodily injury to another human being:—  (1) shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100,000 or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 20 years or in a jail or house of correction for not more than 21/2 years or both such fine and imprisonment, in the case of an individual; and (2) in the case of an organization, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500,000 for a first offense and by a fine of not more than $2,000,000 for any second or subsequent offense.  (b) A person who knowingly or recklessly commits an environmental violation and thereby causes a substantial risk of damage to natural resources or to the property of another person, in an amount exceeding $25,000: (1) shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100,000, or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years or in a jail or house of correction for not more than 21/2 years or both such fine and imprisonment, in the case of an individual; and (2) in the case of an organization, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $250,000 for a first offense and by a fine of not more than $500,000 for a second or subsequent offense.  (c) A person who negligently commits an environmental violation and thereby causes serious bodily injury to another human being or a substantial risk of damage to natural resources or to the property of another person in an amount exceeding $25,000, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $2,500 nor more than $50,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. For a second or subsequent conviction under this paragraph, punishment shall be by a fine of not more than $100,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.  (d) If a person derives pecuniary gain from an environmental violation that causes serious bodily injury to another human being or causes a substantial risk of damage to natural resources or to the property of another person, or if an environmental violation results in damage to natural resources or pecuniary loss to another person, such person who committed the violation may be fined not more than the greater of twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss or damage, unless imposition of a fine under this subsection would unduly complicate or prolong the sentencing process.
MA Gen L ch 21l § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21l - Environmental Endangerment Act|Section 3 - Court Sentencing

Section 3. (a) The court: (1) shall, when sentencing an organization for an offense under clause (2) of subsection (a) of section 2 or for a second or subsequent offense under clause (2) of subsection (b) of said section 2; and (2) may, when sentencing an organization for a first offense under said clause (2) of said subsection (b) of said section (2) place the organization on probation and require as a condition of that probation that the organization pay for an environmental audit.  (b) The court shall appoint an independent expert with no prior involvement in the environmental management of the organization sentenced to conduct an environmental audit under this section. The prosecution and the defense may each submit names of suggested experts. The court shall consider any such submissions in making an appointment under this subsection.  (c) The environmental audit shall: (1) identify all causes of, and any factors that contributed to, the conduct that is the basis for the conviction and recommend specific measures to prevent a recurrence of such causes or factors; and (2) recommend a schedule for implementation of the recommendations under clause (1).  (d) The court shall order the defendant to implement each recommendation of the audit unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that: (1) the recommendation will not achieve the result the recommendation seeks to bring about: (2) the adverse environmental effects of implementing the recommendation outweigh the environmental benefits of the recommendation: (3) the technology does not exist to carry out the recommendation: or (4) there are alternative means to achieve the equivalent result at significantly less cost to the defendant. Any such alternative means shall be incorporated into the audit in place of the relevant recommendation and the court shall order the defendant to implement the audit as modified.  (e) The court may impose for an offense under this chapter a term of probation that is longer than the term otherwise permitted by law, if the court determines that the longer term is necessary to implement the environmental audit.  (f) The prosecutor, the auditor appointed under clause 2 subsection (b) or governmental agency may suggest to the court that a failure to implement the audit has taken place. Whenever the alleged failure to implement an environmental audit is properly before the court, unless the defendant demonstrates that the failure did not take place, the court shall order appropriate sanctions.  (g) In addition to any other sanctions the court may impose for failure to implement an environmental audit, the court may: (1) hold any appropriate person in contempt; or (2) appoint a special master to conduct such affairs of the defendant as are necessary and relevant to implementation of the audit.
MA Gen L ch 21l § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21l - Environmental Endangerment Act|Section 4 - Environmental Violation; Penalties

Section 4. (a) A person who knowingly or recklessly commits an environmental violation and thereby causes serious bodily injury to another human being: (1) shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100,000 for each violation in the case of an individual; and (2) in the case of an organization, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $500,000 for the first violation and a civil penalty of not more than $2,000,000 for any second or subsequent violation.  (b) A person who knowingly or recklessly commits an environmental violation and thereby causes a substantial risk of damage to natural resources or to the property of another person in an amount exceeding $25,000: (1) shall be subject to a penalty of not more than $100,000 in the case of an individual; and (2) in the case of an organization, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $250,000 for the first violation and by a civil penalty of not more than $500,000 for a second or subsequent violation.  (c) A person who negligently commits an environmental violation and thereby causes serious bodily injury to another human being or a substantial risk of damage to natural resources or to the property of another person in an amount exceeding $25,000, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $2,500 nor more than $50,000 for the first violation and not less than $2,500 nor more than $100,000 for a second or subsequent violation.  (d) Each day or part thereof that a violation occurs or continues shall be a separate violation.  (e) The civil penalty may be assessed in an action brought on behalf of the commonwealth in the superior court.  (f) Whoever owns or operates a tank vessel carrying 6,000 or more barrels of oil from which oil is spilled into Buzzards Bay and who: (i) fails to provide notice under subsection (a) of section 9 of chapter 21M; or (ii) if such vessel was unaccompanied by a tugboat escort, provides notice under said subsection (a) of said section 9 of said chapter 21M, but fails to request a state pilot under subsection (b) of said section 9 of said chapter 21M; and (iii) violates this chapter shall be assessed triple the penalties provided in this section.
MA Gen L ch 21m § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21m - Vessel Traffic Service|Section 3 - Tank Vessel; Owner and Operator; Chemical Testing

Section 3. Personnel employed by tank vessels operating within the waters of the commonwealth shall be subject to this section.  An owner or operator of a tank vessel shall have policies, procedures and practices for alcohol and drug testing that comply with 33 CFR Part 95 and 46 CFR Parts 4 and 16. The owner's and operator's policies, procedures, and practices shall ensure that:  (i) a person neither consumes, nor is under the influence of, alcohol on a tank vessel while on the waters of the commonwealth unless that person is a passenger who does not perform, and will not perform, any duty on that tank vessel; and  (ii) a person neither consumes, nor is under the influence of, illicit drugs on a tank vessel while in the waters of the commonwealth.  The policies, procedures and practices for alcohol and drug testing shall meet the following objectives:  (i) chemical tests for evidence of alcohol or drug use shall be taken from all persons directly involved in a serious marine incident as defined in 46 CFR 4.03–4 as soon as practicable, but not more than 2 hours, after any such incident occurs which involves the vessel, with such tests performed in such a manner as to ensure best achievable accuracy and a demonstrable connection between each tested person and the corresponding test results;  (ii) owners and operators of tank vessels shall be responsible for ensuring that each of their tank vessels operating in the waters of the commonwealth has adequate equipment on board to perform the chemical tests described in this section and to preserve evidence pertaining to those tests, including all test results and evidence of the timeliness of the tests; and that a person on a tank vessel shall be tested for drug and alcohol use when there is reasonable cause to believe the person is under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs.  Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each such violation. The attorney general may institute a civil action for enforcement in the superior court of Suffolk county.
MA Gen L ch 21m § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21m - Vessel Traffic Service|Section 4 - Tank Vessel; Requirements

Section 4. (a) A tank vessel operating within the waters of the commonwealth shall be subject to this section.  The navigation watch on all tow vessels transiting Buzzards bay and carrying 6,000 or more barrels of oil shall consist of at least 1 licensed deck officer or tow vessel operator, who shall serve exclusively as a lookout with no other concurrent duties. This duty shall be carried out on a watch station in a safe location which allows sight and hearing of all navigational hazards and the tow vessel operator. The names of each navigation watch member shall be logged in the deck log as the member assumes duties.  Three licensed officers or tow vessel operators shall be on a tow vessel whenever the vessel is towing, whether by pushing or pulling, a tank barge carrying 6,000 or more barrels of oil in Buzzards Bay. Tow vessel operators shall maintain a list of crew members while towing a tank barge in Buzzards Bay.  (b) Crew requirements for tank barges shall consist of 2 personnel, 1 of whom shall be a certified tanker-man under 46 CFR subpart 12.20 who shall be on the tank barge at all times when the tank barge is underway, anchored or moored in the waters of Buzzards bay, unless the tank barge is not equipped to accommodate personnel on board or is carrying less than 6,000 barrels of oil.  (c) A tank barge which is underway, anchored or moored in the waters of Buzzards bay and which does not fulfill the minimum manning safety standards as stated in this section, shall be in violation of this chapter unless such tank barge has a double hull.
MA Gen L ch 21m § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21m - Vessel Traffic Service|Section 5 - Recommended Vessel Route; Penalties

Section 5. When operating in the waters of the commonwealth, a tank vessel shall travel only within a recommended vessel route designated by the United States Coast Guard, unless no such recommended vessel route has been designated or unless special circumstances make travel outside a recommended vessel route necessary in order to avoid an imminent navigational hazard. When operating in the waters of Buzzards bay, a tank vessel shall travel only within the designated vessel route as appearing on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chart for Buzzards bay, or as designated by the United States Coast Guard or unless special circumstances make travel outside a recommended vessel route necessary in order to avoid and imminent navigational hazard. Any person who violates this section, or an order or regulation issued or adopted hereunder, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for each such violation.
MA Gen L ch 21m § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21m - Vessel Traffic Service|Section 6 - Tugboat Escorts; Regulations

Section 6. (a) Effective January 1, 2005, no tank vessel carrying 6,000 or more barrels of oil shall enter or transit any area of special interest within the waters of the commonwealth unless the tank vessel is accompanied by a tugboat escort.  (b) This section shall not apply to a self-propelled tank vessel.  (c) The commissioner may issue regulations to implement this section which shall include, but not be limited to, determining, in consultation with the relevant Massachusetts pilot commissioner, the specific needs for such required tugboat escorts in areas of special interest, and establishing minimum standards for equipment and training of personnel on tugboat escorts. The commissioner, after a competitive bidding process and in consultation with the relevant Massachusetts pilot commissioner, may evaluate such bids and may enter into a contract with a tugboat escort operator which meets or exceeds such standards. The contract shall provide for service at a regulated rate for a minimum period of 5 years.
MA Gen L ch 21m § 7 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21m - Vessel Traffic Service|Section 7 - Vessels Prohibited From Commonwealth Marine Terminals

Section 7. A vessel that is not in compliance with the time schedules and requirements relating to double hulls set forth in the federal Oil Pollution Prevention, Response, Liability and Compensation Act of 1990 shall be prohibited from docking, loading or unloading at any marine terminal in the commonwealth.
MA Gen L ch 21n § 3a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21n - Climate Protection and Green Economy Act|Section 3a - Adoption of Sector-Based Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Sublimits

[ Text of section added by 2021, 8, Sec. 9 effective June 24, 2021.]  Section 3A. (a) The secretary shall, in consultation with the secretary of housing and economic development and the secretary of transportation, adopt sector-based statewide greenhouse gas emissions sublimits as components of each statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of section 3 for the sectors of electric power, transportation, commercial and industrial heating and cooling, residential heating and cooling, industrial processes, and natural gas distribution and service. In order to achieve the greenhouse gas emissions limits established by this chapter, the secretary may adopt sector-based statewide greenhouse gas emissions sublimits for any other sector or source the secretary may designate.  (b) Sector-based statewide greenhouse gas emissions sublimits for a given year shall not, in the aggregate, exceed the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit for the year and shall be designed to maximize the ability of the commonwealth to meet the 2050 statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit established in subsection (b) of section 3; provided, however, that a sublimit shall not be found to have been binding for a given prior year if the commonwealth is found to have complied with the statewide greenhouse gas limit adopted pursuant to said subsection (b) of said section 3 for the same year.
MA Gen L ch 21n § 3b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21n - Climate Protection and Green Economy Act|Section 3b - Goal for Succeeding Plan's Necessary Contribution to Meeting Each Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Limit and Sublimit

[ Text of section added by 2021, 8, Sec. 9 effective June 24, 2021.]  Section 3B. Not later than March 1 of every third year of each plan approved under section 21 of chapter 25, the secretary shall set a goal, expressed in tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, for the succeeding plan's necessary contribution to meeting each statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit and sublimit adopted pursuant to this chapter.
MA Gen L ch 21n § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21n - Climate Protection and Green Economy Act|Section 6 - Promulgation of Regulations That Reduce Energy Use, Increase Efficiency and Encourage Renewable Sources of Energy

[ Text of section effective until June 24, 2021. For text effective June 24, 2021, see below.]  Section 6. In implementing its plan for statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits, the commonwealth and its agencies shall promulgate regulations that reduce energy use, increase efficiency and encourage renewable sources of energy in the sectors of energy generation, buildings and transportation. Chapter 21N: Section 6. Establishment of emissions reduction programs; promulgation of regulations; protection of low and moderate-income persons and environmental justice populations [ Text of section as amended by 2021, 8, Sec. 10 effective June 24, 2021. For text effective until June 24, 2021, see above.]  Section 6. The secretary shall establish programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and promulgate regulations regarding sources or categories of sources that emit greenhouse gases in order to achieve the greenhouse gas emissions limits and sublimits and implement the roadmap plans required by this chapter. Said regulations shall achieve required emissions reductions equitably and in a manner that protects low- and moderate-income persons and environmental justice populations.
MA Gen L ch 21n § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21n - Climate Protection and Green Economy Act|Section 8 - Advisory Committee

Section 8. The secretary shall convene an advisory committee to advise the executive office in overseeing the greenhouse emissions reduction measures. The advisory committee shall consist of representatives from the following sectors: commercial, industrial and manufacturing; transportation; low-income consumers; energy generation and distribution; environmental protection; energy efficiency and renewable energy; local government; and academic institutions.
MA Gen L ch 21n § 9 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21n - Climate Protection and Green Economy Act|Section 9 - Applicability of Chapter

Section 9. Nothing in this chapter shall affect the authority of the public utility commission or the obligation of an electrical utility to provide customers with safe and reliable electric service. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude, prohibit or restrict the construction of a new facility or the expansion of an existing facility subject to regulation under this chapter, if all applicable requirements are met and the facility is in compliance with regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.