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MA S2880

Advancing food and agricultural equity in the commonwealth


summary

Introduced
05/16/2022
In Committee
05/16/2022
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2022

Introduced Session

192nd General Court

Bill Summary

For legislationfor legislationfor legislationfor legislation to authorize the Department of Conservation and Recreation to establish a program to provide for the use of certain state owned land for community gardens and farmers' markets, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2880).

AI Summary

This bill aims to advance food and agricultural equity in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It includes the following key provisions: 1. It amends the composition of an existing advisory committee on agriculture to include the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. 2. It establishes a "circuit rider program" within the Department of Agricultural Resources to provide on-site guidance to farmers about available state programs, regulations, and funding opportunities. 3. It requires that the valuation of agricultural land restricted for conservation purposes include the value of any existing easements, infrastructure, and improvements on the property. 4. It creates a Massachusetts Farmer Equity Commission Fund to provide stipends to non-governmental members of the commission for their work. 5. It establishes a "Next Generation Farmers Fund" to provide grants for agricultural workforce development programs, with a focus on serving environmental justice populations and people with disabilities, as well as programs that promote climate-smart farming practices. 6. It creates a "Local Garden Agriculture Program" to enable Massachusetts residents to establish small-scale food gardens, with the goals of localizing food production and increasing access to locally-grown, nutritious food. 7. It directs the Department of Conservation and Recreation to establish programs for community gardens and farmers' markets on state-owned land. 8. It requires the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to develop plans for supporting agricultural, seafood, and food production in the event of supply chain disruptions. 9. It establishes a special legislative commission to investigate and make recommendations for promoting racial equity in agriculture in the Commonwealth.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (38)

Natalie Blais (D),  Pete Capano (D),  Jo Comerford (D),  Brendan Crighton (D),  David DeCoste (R),  Marcos Devers (D),  Sal DiDomenico (D),  Mindy Domb (D),  Pat Duffy (D),  Lydia Edwards (D),  Jamie Eldridge (D),  Kim Ferguson (R),  Sean Garballey (D),  Carmine Gentile (D),  Anne Gobi (D),  Tami Gouveia (D),  Jim Hawkins (D),  Chris Hendricks (D),  Natalie Higgins (D),  Vanna Howard (D),  Hannah Kane (R),  David LeBoeuf (D),  Joan Lovely (D),  Mike Moore (D),  Susan Moran (D),  Brian Murray (D),  Tram Nguyen (D),  Jim O'Day (D),  Steve Owens (D),  Smitty Pignatelli (D),  Lindsay Sabadosa (D),  Paul Schmid (D),  Dan Sena (D),  Alan Silvia (D),  Jeff Turco (D),  Erika Uyterhoeven (D),  John Velis (D),  Susannah Whipps (I), 

Other Sponsors (1)

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

Last Action

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means (on 05/16/2022)

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