Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-288

ENV 288

State Climatologist

Messrs. Eldridge and Rosenberg moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 2000-1207, moved that the bill be amended in section 2, in item 2000-1207 by striking out item 2000-1207 and inserting in place thereof the following item:-

“2000-1207 For the office of the state climatologist; provided, that not later than September 30, 2014, the office shall report to the executive office of energy and environmental affairs, the chancellor at the University of Massachusetts, the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the planned activities of the office in fiscal year 2015……………..$200,000

; and by striking out section 22 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

“SECTION 22. Said chapter 21A is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-

Section 24. There shall be within the executive office of energy and environmental affairs an office of the state climatologist, which shall be under the supervision and control of a state climatologist to be appointed by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs and the chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.  The office of the state climatologist shall be housed at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and shall: (i) gather and archive 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 Northeast Regional Climate Science Center housed at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst by the United States Department of the Interior; and (iv) educate and inform citizens on matters related to climate.  The office of the state climatologist shall advise all other 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 federal and other state and academic 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.”