Notwithstanding any general or special laws to the contrary, there shall be established a commission called the deer population control commission, hereinafter referred to as the commission, for the purpose of identifying best practices and methods for controlling the deer population in Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Berkshire, Hampden, Worcester, Franklin, and Hampshire Counties.

The commission shall be made up of 8 members: 1 member of the Senate, whom shall be appointed by the Senate President; 1 member of the House of Representatives, whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; 1 member representing local Rod and Gun Clubs, who shall be appointed by the Massachusetts Bow Hunters Association; 1 member representing the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Resources; 1 member representing the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife, who shall be appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife; 1 licensed automobile insurance broker representing the insurance industry, who shall be appointed by the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents.

The commission shall recommend best practices for controlling the Commonwealth’s deer population and methods for assisting farmers in preventing and combating property damage caused by deer.  The commission shall file its findings and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect, with the Clerks of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the chairs of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture no later than March 1, 2024.