MA S438

Bill

To promote healthy soils and agricultural innovation within the Commonwealth

Introduced
01/22/2019

In Committee
01/22/2019

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation to promote healthy soils and agricultural innovation within the Commonwealth. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

AI Summary

This bill aims to promote healthy soils and agricultural innovation within the Commonwealth. It does so by: 1. Expanding the composition of the State Commission for Conservation of Soil, Water and Related Resources to include an expert in healthy soils practices. 2. Directing the Commission to oversee a "Healthy Soils Program" that provides incentives, including loans, grants, research, technical assistance, and educational outreach to farmers to implement practices that contribute to healthy soils and result in net long-term greenhouse gas benefits. 3. Establishing the Massachusetts Healthy Soils Program Fund, which will be administered by the Executive Office of Energy and the Environment, to finance the Healthy Soils Program. The fund will be supported by revenue from the Gaming Economic Development Fund and other sources. 4. Defining key terms like "greenhouse gas benefits," "healthy soils," and "healthy soils practices" to provide a framework for the program. The goal is to optimize climate benefits while supporting the economic viability of agriculture in the Commonwealth through innovative soil management practices.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (29)

Brian Ashe (D), John Barrett (D), Natalie Blais (D), Harriette Chandler (D), Jo Comerford (D), Mike Connolly (D), Julian Cyr (D), Marcos Devers (D), Sal DiDomenico (D), Diana Dizoglio (D), Mindy Domb (D), Lori Ehrlich (D), Nika Elugardo (D), Anne Gobi (D), Adam Hinds (D), Pat Jehlen (D), Hannah Kane (R), Mary Keefe (D), David LeBoeuf (D), Jason Lewis (D), Matt Muratore (R), Patrick O'Connor (R), Becca Rausch (D), Paul Schmid (D), Tom Stanley (D), Bruce Tarr (R), José Tosado (D), Dean Tran (R), Steve Ultrino (D),

Last Action

Accompanied a new draft, see S2404 (on 11/14/2019)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S438

(16 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S438
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S438.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H1220	Relative to breaking generational cycles of poverty	Accompanied a study order, see H5125	Similar To
H2069	To establish the Massachusetts prisoner bone marrow donation program	Accompanied a study order, see H5117	Similar To
H2479	Relative to small scale commercial development for gateway cities	Accompanied a study order, see H5128	Similar To
H437	Relative to the safety of schools, residences, and public assemblies	Accompanied a new draft, see H4426	Similar To
H868	Establishing a commission on livestock shelter requirements	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means	Similar To
S1290	Relative to expanding access to healthy food choices in vending machines on state property	Accompanied a new draft, see S2449	Similar To
S2022	To establish a Massachusetts Public Arts Program	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means	Similar To
S2254	Establishing the Office of Outdoor Recreation	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S2277	Establishing Arbor and Bird days	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Rules	Similar To
S2399	Relative to healthy youth	New draft substituted, see S2459	Similar To
S2404	Promoting healthy soils for reducing greenhouse gases and the effects of climate change in the commonwealth	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Replaced by
S2422	Relative to plastic bag reduction	Read; and referred to the committee on House Rules	Similar To
S2426	Relative to an agricultural healthy incentives program	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S484	Establishing the Office of Outdoor Recreation	Accompanied a new draft, see S2254	Similar To
S493	Re-establishing the Clean Environment Fund	Accompanied a study order, see S2540	Similar To
S92	Establishing the Community Non-Profit Investment and Grant Program	Accompanied a study order, see S2533	Similar To

Bill > S438

MA S438

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (29)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

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