Bill > H5218

This bill establishes several grant programs and funds to support Massachusetts's "blue economy," which refers to industries and activities related to the ocean. First, it directs the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to create a competitive grant program for small businesses to transition to a circular economy, where materials and products are kept in use for as long as possible, with a focus on businesses that benefit the state economically and prioritize minority-owned, women-owned, or businesses located in or benefiting environmental justice populations. Second, it authorizes the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to establish a grant program for non-profits, academic institutions, and businesses to research and develop new technologies that improve ocean health and responsible ocean use, prioritizing projects with measurable environmental benefits, those using advanced technology, promoting equity, and utilizing time-series data. Finally, it creates a Blue Economy Education Fund within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide funding to high schools for programs in blue-STEAM industries (ocean sector jobs in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics), with priority given to schools in or serving environmental justice communities.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5218