SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1235 FILED ON: 1/17/2019
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 435
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Harriette L. Chandler
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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 regarding agricultural composting programs.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
Harriette L. Chandler | First Worcester |
James B. Eldridge | Middlesex and Worcester |
Danielle W. Gregoire | 4th Middlesex |
Harold P. Naughton, Jr. | 12th Worcester |
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1235 FILED ON: 1/17/2019
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 435
By Ms. Chandler, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 435) of Harriette L. Chandler, James B. Eldridge, Danielle W. Gregoire and Harold P. Naughton, Jr. for legislation relative to agricultural composting programs. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 407 OF 2017-2018.]
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 regarding agricultural composting programs.
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 21H of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out subsection 7(b) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:
(b) The department of food and agriculture shall establish, in consultation with the department of environmental protection, an agricultural composting program. Said department of food and agriculture is hereby authorized to establish, in consultation with the department of environmental protection, state and local composting projects, and a demonstration agricultural composting program, and to accept applications for grants from municipalities for the purposes of creating agricultural composting projects. Said department of food and agriculture shall promulgate rules and regulations for the operation of state, local, and demonstration agricultural composting programs provided, however, that any such rules and regulations shall require that all composting projects and facilities comply with local zoning, land use, conservation, and health ordinances, bylaws, and regulations, including but not limited to requirements regarding setback or separation distances, odors, dust and debris, types and quantities of materials, and source of materials – on-site and off-site, and all such projects and facilities shall comply with such local ordinances, bylaws, and regulations.