Amendment ID: S2258-8-R3

3rd Redraft Amendment 8

Proper Stewardship of Honeybees by the Commonwealth

Messrs. Tarr moves to amend the bill by inserting after section 29 the following section:-

"SECTION 29A. (a) There shall be a special commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 to investigate and study methods and solutions to protect and promote pollinators’ health. The commission shall consist of: 1 member of the senate; 1 member of the house of representatives; 1 member of the senate appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 1 member of the house of representatives appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; the secretary of energy and environmental affairs or a designee, who shall serve as chair; 6 people to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a University of Massachusetts faculty member specializing in the science of pollinator health, 1 of whom shall represent an advocacy group for farmers, 1 of whom shall represent an advocacy group for organic farmers, 1 of whom shall represent an advocacy group for cranberry producers, 1 of whom shall be a commercial beekeeper, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the University of Massachusetts Extension with knowledge in crops which rely on pollinators and pollinator health; and 6 people to be appointed by the attorney general,1 of whom is certified as a master gardener representing the public, 1 of whom shall represent an advocacy group dedicated to the protection of pollinators and invertebrates, 2 of whom shall be beekeepers representing the county beekeeping associations, 1 of whom shall represent an advocacy group for nurseries and 1 of whom shall represent an advocacy group dedicated to environmental protection.

(b) The special commission shall examine issues relevant to pollinator health, including: (i) studying current regulations in the commonwealth and other states and countries related to pollinators and pollinator health; (ii) studying public education and outreach plans regarding pollinator health that have been successful in other states; (iii) evaluating the current apiary inspection program with specific focus on parasitic diseases; (iv) identifying adequacy of funding for efforts to promote or protect pollinator health; (v) investigating other methods to increase and strengthen pollinator vitality including proposed changes in law or regulation; (vi) investigating the means used by other states to gather data on populations of pollinators; (vii) evaluating existing best management practices for promoting pollinator health including, but not limited to, foraging and proper food source diversity; (viii) evaluating proposed pollinator protection plans; and (ix) studying the use of nonagricultural lands and how they may be used to provide pollinator forage and unique opportunities to increase pollinator populations.

(c) The special commission may take actions necessary and proper to carry out the work of the commission including, but not limited to, scheduling hearings and taking testimony on matters related to pollinator health.

(d) The special commission shall defer to the pesticide board on matters regarding the regulation, review and use of pesticides, such as neonicotinoids, including but not limited to an individual review of this class as provided in chapter 132B.

(e) No later than June 30, 2017, the special commission shall submit a report to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and to the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture detailing the results of its investigation and study and provide recommendations, together with drafts of legislation.