Amendment ID: S2258-12-R1

Redraft Amendment 12

Recognizing Hydroponic and Aquaponic Farming

Mr. Keenan moves to amend the bill by inserting after section 29 the following section:-

“SECTION 29A.  “The department of agricultural resources, in collaboration with The Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, shall conduct a cost-benefit analysis on the effects of adding hydroponic and aquaponic farming methods to the definition of “farming” or “agriculture” under section 1A of chapter 128 of the General Laws. The department shall submit a final report that includes the results of its cost-benefit analysis and the department’s recommendations, if any, to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture by not later than December 31, 2016.”