Bill > H4420

This bill establishes the Agriculture and Fishery Vulnerability Preparedness Grant Fund, a new financial mechanism designed to help Massachusetts farms and fisheries adapt to climate change. The fund will be administered by the commissioner of agricultural resources in consultation with the fish and game department, and it will be supported by appropriations, gifts, grants, and donations. The fund's primary purpose is to provide grants that help farms and fisheries plan for and implement climate change adaptation strategies, such as developing climate-resilient management practices, improving energy efficiency, investing in renewable energy, and creating infrastructure that can withstand climate impacts. Eligible recipients can use the grants for technical assistance, project planning, and implementing specific climate adaptation initiatives. The bill requires the commissioner to file quarterly reports detailing grant applicants, recipients, funding amounts, and administrative costs, and to develop specific rules and regulations for the program. The fund is designed to be flexible, allowing for support across different agricultural and fishery sectors, with a focus on helping these critical economic sectors become more resilient in the face of changing environmental conditions.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4420