SENATE DOCKET, NO. 769        FILED ON: 1/16/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1708

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jason M. Lewis

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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 a social equity training and technical assistance fund.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 769        FILED ON: 1/16/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1708

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act relative to a social equity training and technical assistance fund.

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. Chapter 94G is hereby amended by inserting after section 14, the following section:-

Section 14A. (a) There shall be established and upon the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the social equity training and technical assistance fund to be expended, without further appropriation, by the cannabis control commission. The fund shall consist of revenues collected by the commonwealth including: (1) any revenue from appropriations or other monies authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to fund; (2) any fines and penalties allocated to the fund under the General Laws or regulations; (3) any funds from public and private sources such as gifts, bequests, grants and donations; (4) any interest earned on such revenues; and (5) any funds provided by other sources. Revenues deposited in the fund that are unexpended at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund and shall be available for expenditure in the following fiscal year.

(b) The executive director of the commission, as trustee, shall administer the fund. All expenditures from the fund shall support the commission's social equity program. The social equity program shall provide programming for restorative justice, jail diversion, workforce development, industry specific technical assistance, and mentoring services for economically-disadvantaged persons in communities disproportionately impacted by high arrest rates and incarceration for marijuana offenses pursuant to chapter 94C of the General Laws. The fund shall support the social equity program's expenditures, including, but not limited to: (1) training and technical assistance to individuals interested in participating in the cannabis industry; (2) technical assistance for social equity program licensees; and (3) research and evaluation of the social equity program.

(c) The commission shall submit an annual report on the fund's expenditures and revenue to the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than August 31 of each year.