{"AmendmentNumber":"164","ParentBillNumber":"H5562","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"MPK1","Name":"Michael P. Kushmerek","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/MPK1","ResponseDate":"2026-07-06T14:28:12.773"},"Category":null,"Action":"Consolidated","RollCall":[],"Title":"Ensuring Massachusetts’ Fusion Leadership","Branch":"House","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Mr. Kushmerek of Fitchburg moves to amend the bill by adding the following section: SECTION XXXX. Chapter 75 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:— \r\nSection 1. Center of Excellence in Fusion Technology.\r\n(a)  As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:—\r\n“Fusion energy technology”, technologies related to the generation of energy through nuclear fusion reactions, including but not limited to plasma physics, superconducting magnet systems, tritium breeding and handling, inertial confinement fusion, and fusion-fission hybrid systems.\r\n“Fusion Center”, the Center of Excellence in Fusion Technology established pursuant to subsection (b).\r\n“Center”, the University of Massachusetts Lowell.\r\n(b)  There is hereby established within the University of Massachusetts Lowell a Center of Excellence in Fusion Technology. The Fusion Center shall serve as the Commonwealth's primary institution for interdisciplinary research, workforce training, and public-private collaboration in fusion energy technology. The Fusion Center shall be administered by the University of Massachusetts Lowell under the oversight of its board of trustees. The board of trustees shall appoint an executive director to lead the Fusion Center.\r\n(c)  The purposes of the Fusion Center shall include:—\r\n(i)  conducting basic and applied research in fusion energy technology, including plasma science, superconducting magnet engineering, tritium science, materials science, and related fields;\r\n(ii)  developing and operating laboratory facilities, experimental platforms, and test beds for fusion energy research;\r\n(iii)  providing undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral educational programs and workforce training in fusion energy technology to support the Commonwealth's fusion industry sector;\r\n(iv)  fostering partnerships with private fusion companies, national laboratories, and other research universities in the Commonwealth and nationwide;\r\n(v)  supporting the commercialization of fusion energy technologies developed at or in partnership with the Fusion Center; and\r\n(vi)  serving as a resource to state agencies on fusion energy policy, regulation, and economic development.\r\n(d)  The Fusion Center shall, not later than one year after its establishment, and annually thereafter, submit a report to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies detailing the Fusion Center's activities, research programs, industry partnerships, workforce outcomes, and financial status. The Fusion Center shall make such report publicly available.\r\nSECTION 2.\r\n7002-8088  For the executive office of economic development to provide capital grants to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Plasma Science and Fusion Center to support the LIBRA ONE tritium breeder research project, including but not limited to the design, construction, and operation of experimental apparatus, the procurement of specialized materials and equipment, personnel costs for researchers and graduate students, and associated administrative costs; provided, that grants from this line item shall be disbursed in three annual tranches; and provided further, that the executive office shall administer grants from this item  ..............................  $4,885,000\r\nSECTION 3. Chapter 75 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the following section:—\r\nSection X. LIBRA ONE Tritium Breeder Research Grant Program.\r\n(a)  As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:—\r\n“LIBRA ONE project”, the tritium breeder blanket research program operated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Plasma Science and Fusion Center, focused on the development of lithium-based tritium breeding systems for use in commercial fusion reactors.\r\n“PSFC”, the Plasma Science and Fusion Center of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.\r\n(b)  The PSFC shall submit to the executive office of economic development a progress report detailing: (i) the use of prior-year grant funds; (ii) the current status of LIBRA ONE project milestones; (iii) the number of graduate students and post-doctoral researchers supported by the grant; and (iv) any publications, intellectual property filings, or industry partnerships resulting from grant-funded work.  The executive office may withhold a tranche pending receipt and review of a satisfactory progress report.\r\n(c)  The PSFC shall, upon completion of the LIBRA ONE project or expiration of the grant term, whichever occurs first, submit a final report to the governor, the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies, and the house and senate committees on ways and means, summarizing the scientific outcomes of the project, its implications for fusion energy commercialization in the commonwealth, and recommendations for future state investment in fusion science.\r\n"}