By Bob Katzen

The Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management held a hearing on a measure that would create an emergency disaster relief program managed by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and funded with $250 million from excess capital gains revenue that would otherwise be transferred to the Rainy Day Fund.

Supporters explained that federal disaster declarations can only be triggered when certain and specific criteria occur. They noted the total amount of the storm damage must meet a certain dollar amount threshold, or the disaster must exceed the response capability of the state and local governments.

“Massachusetts is one of a few states that does not have a framework in place to respond to disasters, climate-related or otherwise, in our municipalities,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “We saw first-hand this past summer the devastating toll weather events have on our communities’ infrastructure, across the commonwealth.”