Bill > S1554

This bill establishes the Commonwealth Municipal Dog Park Trust Fund, a dedicated fund within the department of conservation and recreation, to support the creation and upkeep of fenced-in dog parks for public use across municipalities. A board of trustees, comprised of representatives from the department of conservation and recreation, the treasurer's office, the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association, will oversee the fund's administration. This board is tasked with developing strategies to secure donations from pet-related retailers and establishing a process for municipalities to apply for matching grants, provided they have their own local funding in place. The fund will be replenished through voluntary $1 donations that taxpayers can elect to make on their state income tax returns, as well as through other public and private gifts and grants. Importantly, any funds remaining at the end of a fiscal year will not revert to the general fund but will be available for future use, and the fund can be accessed by the commissioner of conservation and recreation without needing further legislative appropriation.