Budget Amendment ID: FY2026-S3-363

ENV 363

DCR Stewardship Council Language Change

Mr. Mark moved that the proposed new text be amended by adding a new section:-

"Section XXX:

SECTION 1.  Section 2 of Chapter 21 as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition of Massachusetts General Laws, is hereby further amended by striking it entirety and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 2: Stewardship council

Section 2. The department shall be under the control of a stewardship council, which shall consist of 13 persons to be appointed by the governor in the manner provided in this chapter.

Each person appointed to the stewardship council shall serve for terms of five calendar years commencing on January 1 of the year appointed. No such person shall serve more than two terms (full or partial). The governor shall make appointments in a manner consistent with staggered terms, with the number of councilors apportioned as nearly equally as possible by year of term expiration. In the event that an appointment in any given year would cause the term of more than 3 councilors to expire in the same year, the new appointee’s term of appointment shall be for four years or such lesser term as complies with the preceding sentence. The governor shall, with collaboration from the chairperson, ensure orderly transition of councilors originally appointed for seven-year terms to staggered five-year terms.

The council shall elect, at least annually, its own chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary, and shall make the appointments required to be made by it in the manner herein provided. No council member shall serve as chairperson for more than three successive years.

SECTION 2.  Section 2C of Chapter 21 as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition of Massachusetts General Laws, is hereby further amended by striking it entirety and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 2C: Meetings of council; joint meetings with advisory board

Section 2C. The stewardship council shall meet within the commonwealth within thirty days after appointment and at least once a month thereafter.  Six stewardship council members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except in the case of appointment or removal of any person appointed by the stewardship council, or the approval of the appointment or removal of a division director. No appointment or removal of any person appointed by the stewardship council and no approval of the appointment or removal of a division director, shall be valid unless written notice of the meeting for such an appointment or removal or approval thereof, setting forth the business to be transacted thereat, shall have been sent by registered mail to each stewardship council member at least twenty-one days prior to such meeting, and then only by the affirmative vote of three or more members present and voting.

The stewardship council and the fisheries, wildlife and recreational vehicles advisory board shall meet jointly at least twice each year and may establish such policies as appear to be in the general interest.”