HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3205        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 764

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

William M. Straus and Michael J. Rodrigues

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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 establishing a cranberry industry revitalization task force.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3205        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 764

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 establishing a cranberry industry revitalization task force.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to establish a cranberry industry revitalization task force, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health and convenience.
 

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.  Notwithstanding any general or special law or regulation to the contrary, there shall be a cranberry industry revitalization task force which shall consist of the following members: 3 representatives from the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association who shall be appointed by the governor from a list of 6 names submitted by said Association; 1 representative of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., who shall be appointed by the governor; 1 representative of an independent cranberry handler company, who shall be appointed by the governor; 1 researcher from the University of Massachusetts Cranberry Station, who shall be appointed by the governor; the secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs or his designee; the commissioner of Agricultural Resources or his designee; 1 agricultural economist, who shall be appointed by the commissioner of Agricultural Resources; the commissioner of Energy Resources or his designee; the commissioner of Environmental Protection or his designee; 3 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader and 2 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house; and 3 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader and 2 of whom shall be appointed by the president of the senate. The task force shall be chaired jointly by the secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the commissioner of Agricultural Resources, or their designees.

The task force shall investigate short and long-term solutions to preserving and strengthening the cranberry industry in Massachusetts. The investigation shall examine methods to promote innovation in, and the revitalization of, the Massachusetts cranberry farming community including, without limitation, the impact of increased fixed costs borne by the cranberry growing community, alternative and renewable energy uses for growers and an investigation of the unique geography, culture and needs of the Massachusetts cranberry industry.

The task force shall submit its findings, together with drafts of recommended legislation, if any, to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the chairs of the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture, and the senate and house committees on ways and means not later than October 1, 2015.