Bill > S2729

This bill proposes to modify Chapter 91 of the Massachusetts General Laws, which governs waterways and coastal areas, by adding language that explicitly guarantees the public's right to free passage across private tidelands for recreational activities such as running, walking, swimming, and snorkeling. Currently, the law does not specifically enumerate these types of recreational movements across privately owned tideland areas, so this amendment would clarify and expand public access rights. By inserting the new language after the word "water" in the existing statute, the bill aims to ensure that members of the public can move freely across these coastal areas for recreational purposes, potentially resolving potential conflicts between private property owners and individuals seeking to enjoy coastal environments. The bill represents a legislative effort to balance private property rights with public recreational interests in Massachusetts' coastal zones.

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2729