Bill > S68

This bill establishes a Lobstering Closure Mitigation Fund to provide financial support to Massachusetts commercial lobster fishermen impacted by fishing area closures related to protecting endangered marine species. The fund will provide weekly payments of one dollar per lobster trap tag to eligible Massachusetts-domiciled lobstermen with active and transferable commercial fishing permits, with payments available from January 1 to June 30 annually. The department of unemployment assistance will administer the fund, which will be credited with transfers, gifts, and contributions, and any remaining funds at the end of the fiscal year will revert to the General Fund. The Secretary of State will annually assess recipients' progress toward business incorporation, with recipients who do not make sufficient progress losing future payment eligibility. The bill also requires an annual information session to help lobstermen understand the incorporation process, and mandates that the department provide annual reports on the fund's income, expenditures, and balances. The fund will be dissolved after three fiscal years, and the act takes effect immediately upon passage, with the goal of helping lobstermen transition and adapt to marine conservation efforts.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S68