HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2625        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Edward R. Philips

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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 local protection of water resources from nutrient pollution.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2625        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to local protection of water resources from nutrient pollution.

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. Section 2 of chapter 128 of the General Laws, as  amended by section 1 of chapter 262 of the acts of 2012, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(l) Notwithstanding the provisions of this statute, a municipality may adopt rules, regulations, ordinances, or by-laws relative to nutrient management and fertilizer guidelines used on lawns or non-agricultural turf, so long as such rule, regulation, ordinance or bylaw is not less restrictive than regulations adopted by department of agricultural resources under section 1 and shall be done in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension to ensure any regulations relative to plant nutrients are consistent with the program’s published information, educational materials and other public outreach programs relative to nutrient management and fertilizer guidelines.