Bill > H761

This bill aims to expand public access to pleasure boat facilities within Boston Harbor. It directs all state and municipal agencies and authorities that own or control property in Boston, including the City of Boston and the Massachusetts Port Authority, to identify and establish new mooring and docking facilities for pleasure boats, with a focus on creating short-term (hourly or daily) public access. These agencies and authorities are required to issue requests for proposals to solicit the necessary capital facilities and operational services to achieve this goal. The bill also allows these agencies and authorities to lease or purchase property, or enter into agreements with private entities or other public entities, to improve public navigational access to Boston Harbor and the Harbor Islands for pleasure boating. Additionally, the bill permits these agencies and authorities to charge reasonable, market-rate fees to cover the cost of creating and maintaining these public boating facilities. The City of Boston may use funds from an existing account to fulfill the requirements of this bill. Finally, the bill mandates annual reporting to the state legislature on the locations of public tie-up, mooring, and docking facilities within Boston, including those that are non-seasonal and available for short-term, transient use.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H761