SECTION 1. Chapter 21A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking section 24 and inserting in the place thereof the following section:-

Section 24. There shall be an office of the state climatologist which shall be independent of the executive office and under the supervision and control of a state climatologist to be appointed by the secretary. The office of the state climatologist shall be housed by the University of Massachusetts system and shall: (i) gather and analyze data on climate conditions in the commonwealth; (ii) conduct and foster research concerning the climate in the commonwealth and look for opportunities for sponsored research concerning climate issues in the commonwealth; (iii) coordinate with the National Centers for Environmental Information and the Northeast Regional Climate Center both of the United States Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Northeast Regional Climate Adaptation Science Center of the United States Department of the Interior, and the Northeast Climate Hub of the United States Department of Agriculture; and (iv) educate and inform the public on matters related to the climate. The office of the state climatologist shall advise branches of state and local government concerning the climate in the commonwealth and its implications for both economic and scientific needs in conjunction with existing and future environmental factors relating to the climate in the commonwealth. The office of the state climatologist shall maintain a liaison with state, academic, and scientific institutions and join federal and international climate interest groups. The state climatologist shall serve for a term of 5 years but may be reappointed. The office of the state climatologist shall be funded by the executive office.