Bill > S60

This bill establishes the Agriculture and Fishery Vulnerability Preparedness Grant Fund to help Massachusetts farms and fisheries adapt to climate change. The fund will be administered by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs and can receive money from appropriations, donations, and other sources. The primary purpose is to provide grants that support farms and fisheries in planning and implementing climate change adaptation strategies, such as controlled climate growing, energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate-resilient management practices, and infrastructure improvements. The program will offer technical assistance to help applicants develop and submit grant proposals, and will distribute funds proportionally across different agricultural and fishery sectors. Grant recipients will be selected based on their proposed projects' potential to increase climate resilience. The secretary is required to file quarterly reports detailing grant applicants, recipients, funding amounts, and administrative costs, and must consult with agricultural and fishery departments in implementing the program. The fund is designed to be flexible, allowing for various climate adaptation initiatives as determined by the secretary and commissioners, with the ultimate goal of supporting the state's agricultural and fishing industries in responding to environmental challenges.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S60