Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-62

ENV 62

Old Harbor Reservation

Mr. Collins moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 7, the following section:-

“SECTION 7A. Chapter 10 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 35III, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 35III. There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate, non-budgeted special revenue fund known as the Old Harbor Reservation Trust Fund, which shall be administered by the department of conservation and recreation. Amounts credited to the fund shall be expended, without further appropriation, for the purposes of advancing recreational, educational, conservation, public health and safety interests, including, but not limited to, dedicated environmental police and ranger staffing, maintenance staff, construction and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure improvements, of the Old Harbor reservation area, including, but not limited to, Castle Island, Pleasure bay, McDonough sailing center, Marine park, Murphy memorial skating rink, M street beach, Carson beach, Day boulevard and Columbia road, in the South Boston section of the city of Boston.

The fund shall receive, hold and expend all fees generated by permits, licenses and all other agreements not currently directed to the General Fund relating to the use of the aforementioned Old Harbor reservation assets, facilities and land as authorized by the department. Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. Annually, not later than July 31, the department shall submit a report, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, an accounting of all funds generated for the trust and expenditures for the previous fiscal year, to the house and senate committees on ways and means. The department shall not make expenditures from this fund so as to cause the fund to be deficient."; and

by inserting after section 53 the following section:-

“SECTION 53A. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any funds previously transferred to or existing in the Castle Island and Marine Park Trust Fund shall be transferred to the Old Harbor Reservation Trust Fund established under section 7A.”.