Bill > H3981

This bill establishes a five-year pilot program within Massachusetts to support high-impact fisheries like lobster and groundfish by creating a comprehensive system to assess and mitigate the economic impacts of fishing regulations. The program requires the state's office, in collaboration with the division of marine fisheries, to identify fisheries disproportionately affected by regulatory changes, conduct economic impact analyses, partner with environmental organizations and academic institutions for research, and develop a compensation framework for impacted fishers. Additionally, the bill mandates that any proposed fishing industry regulation must include a detailed economic impact statement with projected losses and mitigation strategies, which must be published online with a 60-day public comment period. A new "High-Impact Fisheries Mitigation Fund" will be created to support the program, funded through state appropriations, interest earnings, federal grants, and private donations. The fund will be managed by the executive office of energy and environmental affairs, which must submit an annual report detailing the program's findings, recommendations, and partnerships. The pilot program and associated fund are set to automatically expire after five years, with the legislation taking effect on January 1, 2025.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3981