Amendment ID: S3050-335

Amendment 335

Commonwealth Conservation Commission

Messrs. Collins and Eldridge move that the proposed new draft be amended by inserting after section X the following section:-

“SECTION X. Chapter 23A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 72. (a) There shall be a Commonwealth Conservation Commission , considered an independent body politic, subject to the open meeting and public records law of the commonwealth; it shall have quarterly hearings where it will hear testimony from petitioners and shall have the authority to make determinations as well provide guidance and recommendations regarding the use of green space and open space protected by Article 97 of the Constitution; the public shall have the right to petition the commission regarding any issues affecting Article 97 of the Constitution, the commission shall possess the authority to make determinations on issues affecting as well as provide guidance and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs regarding issues requiring Article 97 action

(b) The commission shall consist of 5 members: one member from the Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner of a Designee; the Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner or Designee; the Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner of designee; 1 member to be appointed by the Senate President representing environmental justice communities; 1 member to be appointed by the Speaker of the House selected from a list of three members of the Massachusetts Audubon Society.”