SENATE DOCKET, NO. 944        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 229

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Patricia D. Jehlen

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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 providing for an investigation and study by a special commission relative to protein innovation in Massachusetts.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 944        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 229

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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Resolve providing for an investigation and study by a special commission relative to protein innovation in Massachusetts.

Resolved, that a special Protein Innovation Commission is hereby established for the purposes of making an investigation and study relative to alternative proteins and to develop a master plan of recommendations for fostering the appropriate expansion of protein innovation and the alternative protein industry in the Commonwealth. The special legislative commission shall study how the commonwealth of Massachusetts can best support the growing alternative protein industry in the state. The commission shall examine the potential economic development benefits, and job creation potential, of the plant-based, cultivated, and fermented meat industries in Massachusetts; identify the environmental benefits, including with respect to the reduced land use, reduced deforestation, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, of alternative proteins compared to conventional meat and dairy products in Massachusetts; examine how alternative proteins can strengthen the state’s food resiliency; assess how alternative proteins can improve individual and public health and combat antibiotic resistance; identify ways the state of Massachusetts can foster the growth of the emerging alternative protein industry, including by reviewing past efforts made to support the broader biotech and life science industries.

As used in this resolve, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

“Alternative proteins” refers to proteins created from plant-based, fermented, or cell-cultured inputs and processes to create foods that share sensory characteristics that are consistent with conventional meat and dairy.

“Plant-based protein” refers to proteins produced directly from plants, composed of protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water.

“Fermented proteins” refers to proteins made from traditional fermentation, biomass fermentation, and precision fermentation.

“Cultivated meat” refers to meat that is directly produced from animal cells using a cell cultivation process using bioreactors.

The Protein Innovation Commission shall consist of 13 members: 3 members of the senate, 2 of whom shall be appointed by the president and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate, 3 members of the house 2 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house. The president and the speaker shall each designate 1 of their appointments to serve as co-chair of the commission. The commission shall further consist of the secretary of economic development or their designee, and 6 members appointed by the governor, 2 of whom are engaged in academic or scientific research on alternative protein development at a Massachusetts college or university, 1 of whom is engaged in the private sector research and development of alternative proteins; 1 of whom shall be an expert in food security issues; and 1 of whom shall be the president of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council or their designee.

Members shall not receive compensation for their services.

All appointments shall be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of this resolve. The co-chairs shall schedule no fewer than 4 meetings of the commission, including no fewer than 1 public hearing. The co-chairs shall convene the first meeting of the special commission within 60 days after the effective date of this resolve.

The commission shall study and analyze the potential benefits of alternative proteins, and shall address in its review: (i) the job growth potential of the alternative protein industry in Massachusetts, as demand for meat continues to grow; (ii) how plant-based, fermented, and cultivated meat can reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, and yield other environmental benefits; (iii) how the state can support new and emerging companies in this sector, and what pressing challenges the industry currently faces; (iv) any other topic that the commission may choose to examine in relation to alternative proteins.

The commission shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Court, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry out those recommendations, not later than December 31, 2023.