Rep. Natalie Blais

By Representative Blais of Deerfield and Senator Mark, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Natalie M. Blais and Paul W. Mark for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Cheryl Thouin, an employee of the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office. Public Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state fund called the Agriculture and Fishery Vulnerability Preparedness Grant Fund to help farms and fisheries in Massachusetts prepare for climate change. Administered by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs with input from agricultural and fisheries officials, the fund will be financed through state appropriations, interest, and public or private donations. It provides grants to support specific climate adaptation projects, such as controlled growing, renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, and data monitoring, while ensuring that funding is distributed proportionally across eligible sectors. The bill also requires the administrator to create rules for the program and submit quarterly reports detailing applicants, recipients, and how the money is spent.

By Representative Blais of Deerfield and Senator Comerford, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3843) of Natalie M. Blais and Joanne M. Comerford (by vote of the town) that the town of Deerfield be authorized to continue the employment of police department members Michael W. Habel, Robert A Thratcher and Mark Jacques. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow the Department of Agricultural Resources to permit stormwater and nitrogen mitigation infrastructure within 200 feet of protected agricultural land. The changes specifically apply to parcels enrolled in the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program, which is designed to keep farmland in production. Under the new provisions, these mitigation projects can be built on uncultivated or planted areas in nitrogen-sensitive watersheds, provided the program's co-holder approves the construction. The legislation aims to improve water quality in embayment watersheds without compromising the core agricultural protections of the APR program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal shield for farmers in Massachusetts who are affected by PFAS contamination in their soil, water, or crops. It grants immunity from lawsuits and civil liability to individuals or entities engaged in farming for any damages resulting from these chemical contaminants. The primary mechanism is the amendment of state law to prevent farmers from being sued by third parties when PFAS exposure occurs on their land.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state and local agencies to evaluate whether new rules or regulations could negatively affect commercial farms in Massachusetts before they are finalized. State agencies must publish a written assessment of potential impacts and submit detailed findings to relevant legislative committees at least 45 days before the rule takes effect, while local governments must complete a specific form 90 days prior to enactment. If an assessment shows a proposed rule would cost a farm more than $500 annually or require over 20 extra hours of labor, the findings must be sent to the state board of agriculture for mitigation suggestions before the rule is issued. The law includes an exception for emergency health and safety measures that are set to expire within six months, ensuring that urgent protections for public safety are not delayed.

Senate, January 29, 2024 --The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 175) of Cindy F. Friedman, Joanne M. Comerford, Carmine Lawrence Gentile, Lydia Edwards and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the disclosure of toxic chemicals in children’s products; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 318) of James K. Hawkins and others for legislation to direct the Department of Environmental Protection to publish a toxic chemicals of concern consumer products list, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2564).