H 894 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act relative to forest management and practices guidelines

This bill requires state agencies responsible for managing public lands to conduct a formal review of their sustainable forestry practices every five years. It establishes a new Public Land Management Advisory Council to oversee these reviews and ensure transparency, public participation, and accountability in how forests are managed. The legislation sets a specific goal for these agencies to designate at least 30% of their watershed lands and wildlife management areas as forest reserves by December 31, 2030. Additionally, the bill mandates that the review process assess opportunities to use forests for renewable energy and carbon sequestration to help meet the state's emissions reduction targets.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action May 23, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Environment and Natural Resources
lower
0 primary · 14 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.