HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1205        FILED ON: 1/18/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 471

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

William M. Straus

_________________

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 commission to study dredging needs for recreational boating in Commonwealth waterways.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

William M. Straus

10th Bristol

1/18/2017

Mathew Muratore

1st Plymouth

 

Susan Williams Gifford

2nd Plymouth

 

Donald F. Humason, Jr.

Second Hampden and Hampshire

 

Paul A. Schmid, III

8th Bristol

 

Robert M. Koczera

11th Bristol

 

Leonard Mirra

2nd Essex

 

Bradford R. Hill

4th Essex

 

Joan B.  Lovely

Second Essex

 

Joseph W. McGonagle, Jr.

28th Middlesex

 

Sarah K. Peake

4th Barnstable

 

Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.

12th Hampden

1/24/2017

Kimberly N. Ferguson

1st Worcester

 

James M. Cantwell

4th Plymouth

 

Tackey Chan

2nd Norfolk

 

David T. Vieira

3rd Barnstable

 

Josh S. Cutler

6th Plymouth

 

Paul R. Heroux

2nd Bristol

 

Randy Hunt

5th Barnstable

 

Keiko M. Orrall

12th Bristol

 

Jerald A. Parisella

6th Essex

 

Michael O. Moore

Second Worcester

 

Bruce E. Tarr

First Essex and Middlesex

 

Patricia A. Haddad

5th Bristol

 


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1205        FILED ON: 1/18/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 471

By Mr. Straus of Mattapoisett, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 471) of William M. Straus and others for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to study dredging needs for recreational boating in Commonwealth waterways.  Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

_______________

 

An Act establishing a commission to study dredging needs for recreational boating in Commonwealth waterways.

 

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)  There shall be established, under the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, a commission to research and review dredging needs for recreational boating in Commonwealth waterways.  Within one year, the Commission shall report to the legislature on recommendations for how to: (i) fund such dredging projects;  (ii) streamline the permitting process for such dredging projects; (iii) reduce the costs associated with permitting such projects; and (iv) identify disposal options, all for the purpose of maintaining and, where appropriate, improving recreational boating access to the Commonwealth’s waterways.   Special attention shall be given to Commonwealth owned sediments requiring dredging to maintain recreational boating access, irrespective of what entity owns or operates the boating facilities associated therewith. 

(b) (1) The commission shall have 9 members: 1 member to be appointed by the governor, 1 member to be appointed by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs; 1 member to be appointed by the president of the senate for a term of 2 years; 1 member to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives for a term of 2 years; 1 member to be appointed by the senate minority leader, for a term of 2 year; and 1 member to be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, ex-officio and the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, ex-officio. Each member of the commission shall be an expert with experience in at least one of the following fields:  the business of recreational boating; environmental policy, public policy, economic development or ocean management. At least one member shall be a director of a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to the business of recreational boating. One of the members shall be appointed by the governor to serve as chairperson of the commission. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs shall provide meeting space and administrative support to the commission.

(2) The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, other than as may be already provided for due to their position outside the commission. The commission may receive such funds to carry out its mission as may be authorized and appropriated or donated from time to time.

(3) The powers of the commission shall be advisory.

(4) The commission may request from all state agencies such information and assistance as the commission may require, which shall be provided as promptly as is reasonably practicable. The commission may also request such information from companies and organizations with state contracts that provide services relative to the scope of the commission, which shall also be provided as promptly as is reasonably practicable.

(5) The commission  shall convene its first meeting within one month of appointment and shall submit its first report of recommendations not later than one year from appointment with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate who shall forward a copy of the report to the house and senate chairs of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture and the Governor.