Amendment #49, as changed to H4912

Land Use Commission

Ms. Hogan of Stow moves to amend the bill, as amended, by adding after section 20 the following new section:

SECTION 20A.  There shall be a land use commission to develop recommendations on land use restrictions within the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program. The commission shall develop recommendations on developing land use policies to encourage conservation of open space, farm and forestlands in a responsible manner. The commission shall review the negative impacts of the SMART program on the development of solar facilities in the commonwealth and consider the economic viability of farmlands, forest management practices and the balance of farm preservation through utilization of solar as an economic tool. The commission shall also consider the social value of community solar projects and best practices for carbon sequestration.

The commission shall consist of 13 members appointed by the governor; the commissioner of the department of energy resources or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Forest Alliance or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Cranberry Growers Association or a designee; 1 member of an environmental organization; 1 member of a conservation group; 1 member from a business that develops solar facilities, 1 member of the community shared solar group; 1 member who is an owner of an active farm; 1 member with experience working with low-income communities on community shared solar programs, 1 member of  a local or regional land trust organization, and 1 member from the National Heritage and Endangered Species Program.

The department of energy resources shall provide assistance and shall staff the commission meetings. The commission members shall serve without compensation. The commission shall file a report with the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy not later than July 1, 2021.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #49, as changed to H4912

Land Use Commission