HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1687        FILED ON: 1/20/2011

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1148

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

George N. Peterson, Jr.

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to fertilizer.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

George N. Peterson, Jr.

9th Worcester

1/20/2011


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1687        FILED ON: 1/20/2011

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1148

By Mr. Peterson of Grafton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1148) of George N. Peterson, Jr. relative to the application and use of fertilizer.  Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

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An Act relative to fertilizer.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Section 2 of Chapter 128 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding, after subsection (j), the following new subsection:-

(k) The Department of Agricultural Resources shall maintain exclusive authority to regulate and enforce the registration and application of plant nutrients put on or in soil to improve the quality or quantity of plant growth, including but not limited to fertilizer, manure, and micronutrients in the Commonwealth.  Any rule, regulation, ordinance or bylaw of a city or town or any other political subdivision within the state purporting to regulate the application and use of fertilizer shall be void. 

The Department shall work in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension to ensure any such regulations of the Department are consistent with University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension program’s published information, educational materials and other public outreach programs relative to nutrient management and fertilizer guidelines; provided further, that subject to appropriation, the Department may establish regulations pursuant to this paragraph which shall be developed in consultation with the University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension.