Bill > H110

This bill establishes a Lobstering Closure Mitigation Fund to provide financial assistance to Massachusetts commercial lobstermen affected by fishing area closures related to endangered marine species protection. The fund will provide weekly payments of $1 per lobster trap tag to eligible Massachusetts-domiciled commercial lobstermen from January 1 to June 30 annually. To receive ongoing payments, lobstermen must make demonstrable progress toward business incorporation, which will be evaluated annually by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will also host annual information sessions to help lobstermen understand the incorporation process. The fund will be administered by the department of unemployment assistance, will accept various funding sources including gifts and grants, and any unspent money will revert to the General Fund at the end of each fiscal year. The department must provide an annual report detailing the fund's income, expenditures, and balance. Importantly, the fund is temporary and will be dissolved three fiscal years after its effective date, with the goal of helping lobstermen transition and adapt to changing marine conservation requirements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H110