SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1781 FILED ON: 1/18/2019
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 486
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Adam G. Hinds
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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 protect public and private woodlands and woodlots in the Commonwealth.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
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Adam G. Hinds | Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden |
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Mindy Domb | 3rd Hampshire | 1/31/2019 |
Donald F. Humason, Jr. | Second Hampden and Hampshire | 2/1/2019 |
Natalie M. Blais | 1st Franklin | 2/1/2019 |
Julian Cyr | Cape and Islands | 2/8/2019 |
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1781 FILED ON: 1/18/2019
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 486
By Mr. Hinds, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 486) of Adam G. Hinds, Mindy Domb, Donald F. Humason, Jr., Natalie M. Blais and others for legislation to protect public and private woodlands and woodlots in the Commonwealth. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. |
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 to protect public and private woodlands and woodlots in the Commonwealth.
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 23J of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 6 the following new section:-
Section 6A. Statewide plan for protecting carbon sequestration in public and private woodlands and woodlots
The Center shall undertake a study of public and private woodlands and woodlots in the Commonwealth to measure the aggregate amount of carbon sequestered in said woodlands and woodlots in the trees, roots and soil. Within 240 days of said study’s completion, the Center shall develop and implement a comprehensive statewide plan for the protection of both public and private woodlands and woodlots that shall include policies for maintaining, enhancing and protecting the carbon sequestered. The Center shall also work in collaboration with the Executive Office of Energy and the Environment to establish policies and procedures where the aggregate amount of the annual estimate of carbon sequestered in public and private woodlands and woodlots shall be included as part of the Commonwealth’s climate change goals and renewable energy targets, and carbon emission reduction goals as provided in the Green Communities Act.