HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 723        FILED ON: 1/17/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 908

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Thomas M. Stanley

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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 relative to the conservation of Atlantic striped bass.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 723        FILED ON: 1/17/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 908

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1014 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to the conservation of Atlantic striped bass.

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. There shall be a special commission to examine the status of wild striped bass in the Commonwealth.

SECTION 2. The commission shall examine and assess the impact that commercial harvesting and recreational fishing have upon the population and viability of wild striped bass in the Commonwealth.

SECTION 3. The commission shall consist of a member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate; a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; a member of the Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the House Minority leader; the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs or his designee; the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services or his designee; the Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development or his designee; a representative from the commercial fishing industry; a representative from the sports fishing industry; a representative of Stripers Forever, 3 independent representatives from the marine science industry who are experts in fisheries, to be chosen by the governor. The members of the commission shall be appointed not later 90 days after the effective date of this act and shall serve until the completion of the report.

SECTION 4. The commission shall hold public hearings in Gloucester, New Bedford, Boston, and on Cape Cod to assist in the collection and evaluation of data and testimony.

SECTION 5. The commission shall prepare a written report detailing its findings and recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect. The commission shall submit its report to the governor, the secretary of the commonwealth, the clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives, the house and senate committees on ways and means, and the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture not later than December 31 of 2024.