Bill > S2737

This bill establishes a special commission to examine opportunities for Massachusetts farms and agricultural lands to play a larger role in the Commonwealth's response to climate change. The commission will explore the use of composting, including the potential for a statewide network of composting sites to track the carbon content of compost used in farm soils. The commission will also study the impact of increasing the amount of organic feedstock being composted and sequestered in farm soils, turf areas, and forest lands. Additionally, the commission will consider whether farms should receive priority access to supplies, technical support, and financial subsidies to make decarbonization central to their operations. The commission will develop metrics for increasing carbon soil content over 5-year intervals to provide data on the efficacy of carbon storage. The commission will consist of 14 members, including representatives from various state agencies, agricultural organizations, and the legislature, and will file a report with recommendations for legislative reform by October 31, 2021.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2737