An Act fostering agricultural resilience in Massachusetts
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to strengthen Massachusetts’ agricultural sector by improving its resilience to emergencies. It requires the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to develop a plan for supporting agriculture, seafood, and food production during crises. The bill also mandates reporting on the distribution of local food through food assistance programs and establishes a fund to support urban agriculture and farmland preservation, while addressing workforce development for farmers.
Key provisions
- Develops a plan for agricultural support during emergencies.
- Requires annual reporting on the distribution of local food through food assistance programs.
- Establishes a food security infrastructure grant program for food producers, distributors, and community organizations.
- Creates a fund to support urban agriculture and farmland preservation.
- Addresses workforce development for farmers through a new fund.
- Modifies Chapter 20 of the General Laws to include provisions related to land valuation and agricultural preservation restrictions.
- Updates definitions related to agritourism and regenerative agriculture.
- Requires the Department of Revenue to establish a registry of agricultural land.
Who is affected
- Farmers
- Food Banks
- Food Assistance Programs Recipients
- Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
- Agricultural Producers
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
22 on record
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries
Cosponsors
Carmine Lawrence Gentile
Danillo A. Sena
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