SENATE DOCKET, NO. 443        FILED ON: 1/31/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 573

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 resolve:

Resolve to protect pollinator habitat.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 443        FILED ON: 1/31/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 573

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 497 OF 2019-2020.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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Resolve to protect pollinator habitat.

Resolved, SECTION 1. There shall be a special commission established to study statewide opportunities for improving pollinator health by increasing and enhancing native pollinator habitat.

The commission shall focus on identifying statewide opportunities for enhancing and expanding pollinator habitat in both developed and natural areas such as farm field borders, forest borders, residential areas, parks, urban areas, industrial areas, energy transmission corridors, energy generating facilities and transportation corridors.

The commission shall consider enhancing and expanding pollinator habitat for a broad range of native and managed pollinators including but not limited to wild and managed bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, ants, bats and birds.  

The commission shall report its findings, including any proposed legislation, to the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture no later than December 31, 2022.

The commission shall consist of: 1 member of the senate appointed by the senate president; 1 member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house; 1 member of the senate appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 1 member of the house of representatives appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; the commissioner of the division of fisheries and wildlife, or a designee, who shall serve as a co-chair; the commissioner of the department of agricultural resources, or a designee, who shall serve as a co-chair; 9 people to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a University of Massachusetts faculty member specializing in the science of pollinator health, 1 of whom shall be a University of Massachusetts faculty member specializing in native wildlife ecology, 1 of whom shall represent an advocacy group for farmers, 1 of whom shall represent an advocacy group for organic farmers, 1 of whom shall be a commercial beekeeper, 1 of whom shall represent the Massachusetts Beekeepers Association, 1 of whom shall be a beekeeper representing the county beekeeping associations, 1 of whom shall represent the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, and 1 of whom shall represent a membership based non-profit advocacy group dedicated to land protection.

The special commission shall examine issues relevant to pollinator health, including: (i) studying public education and outreach plans regarding pollinator habitat that have been successful in other states; (ii) identifying adequacy of funding for efforts to promote or protect pollinator habitat; (iii) evaluating existing best management practices for promoting pollinator health through foraging and proper food source diversity; (vi) studying the use of agricultural and nonagricultural lands, such as transportation corridors, energy transmission corridors, parks, and working forests, and how they may be used to provide pollinator forage and unique opportunities to increase pollinator populations; (vii) research and identify ways to expand and coordinate public education programs outlining steps individuals and businesses can take to help address the loss of pollinator habitat.