H 979
An Act relative to a marine special activity license program
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
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Bill overview
This bill establishes a marine special activity license program in Massachusetts. The program aims to regulate activities like boating, fishing, and diving in sensitive marine areas to protect coastal resources and wildlife. It will require permits for certain activities and establish a system for managing and monitoring these activities. The goal is to ensure sustainable use of Massachusetts’ marine environment.
Key provisions
- Requires a license for certain marine special activities.
- Establishes a permitting process for activities in sensitive marine areas.
- Creates a system for tracking and monitoring licensed activities.
- Designates specific marine areas requiring special activity licenses.
- Authorizes the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEP) to administer the program.
- Provides for penalties for violations of the licensing requirements.
- Requires the DEP to develop a plan for the program's implementation.
- Establishes a fund to support the program's administration and enforcement.
Who is affected
- Boaters
- Fishermen
- Divers
- Coastal communities
- The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEP)
Notable changes
- Introduces a licensing system for marine activities previously unregulated.
- Specifies areas requiring licenses, potentially impacting existing recreational practices.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Patrick Joseph Kearney
Cosponsor
Patrick Joseph Kearney
Arguments in favor
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Bill H.979 194th (Current)
An Act relative to a marine special activity license program
By Representative Kearney of Scituate, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 979) of Patrick Joseph Kearney relative to a marine special activity license program. Environment and Natural Resources.
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Presenter: Patrick Joseph Kearney
Tabs
Bill History Petitioners Hearing Attendance
Bill History
Displaying 4 actions for Bill H.979
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Environment and Natural Resources |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 6/23/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 07/01/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1 |
| 2/26/2026 | House | Accompanied a study order, see H5149 |
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