HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2687        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3417

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Paul McMurtry

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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 to establish a committee studying bee colony collapse.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2687        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3417

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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An Act to establish a committee studying bee colony collapse.

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.  (a) That a committee, to consist of: 2 members of the senate, 2 members of the house of representatives, the secretary of agriculture, or a designee who shall serve as chair and 8 persons to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a university faculty member specializing  in  the  science  of pollinator health; 1 of whom shall represent  an  advocacy group for  nurseries and greenhouse producers; 1 of whom shall represent an advocacy group for farmers; 1 of whom shall represent an advocacy  group  dedicated to the protection of pollinators and invertebrates; 1 of whom shall represent  an  advocacy group dedicated to  environmental protection; 1 of whom shall represent an advocacy group for retailers; 1 of whom is certified as a master gardener, representing the public; and 1 of whom shall be a  beekeeper, representing the Massachusetts Beekeeper Association, is hereby established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 for the purpose of making an investigation and study of methods and solutions to prevent bee colony collapse.

(b)   The committee shall  undertake  activities to examine issues relevant to bee colony collapse, including but not limited to:

(i)  studying proposed and enacted pesticide regulations from other states and countries that are more protective  of  pollinator health than the pesticide  regulations of  the United States Environmental Protection Agency;

(ii)  studying public education  and outreach plans regarding pollinator health that have been successful in other states;

(iii)  evaluating the effectiveness of  applicator licensing and other legal requirements, and of  incentives, in matters affecting pollinator health;

(iv)  identifying  possible  funding  streams  for   efforts  to   promote  or protect  pollinator health;

(v)  investigating the means used by  other states to  gather data on populations of  bees or  other pollinating insects; and

(vi)  evaluating existing best management practices for  applying neonicotinoids in a  manner that avoids harming pollinating insects.

(c)  The committee may take actions necessary and proper to  carry out the work of  the task force, including but not limited to  scheduling hearings and taking testimony on matters related to  pollinator health.

(d) The committee shall report to the general court the results of its investigation and study and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry its recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the clerk of the senate and the clerk of the house of representatives on or before June 30, 2016.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon the specific day of its approval by the governor of the Commonwealth.