1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. FILED ON: 4/12/2024
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2728
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
Resolve to protect pollinator habitat.
1 Resolved, (a) There shall be a special commission established to study statewide
2opportunities for improving pollinator health by increasing and enhancing native pollinator
3habitat. The commission shall focus on identifying statewide opportunities for enhancing and
4expanding pollinator habitat in both developed and natural areas such as farm field borders,
5forest borders, residential areas, parks, urban areas, industrial areas, energy transmission
6corridors, energy generating facilities and transportation corridors. The commission shall
7consider enhancing and expanding pollinator habitat for a broad range of native and managed
8pollinators including but not limited to wild and managed bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, ants,
9bats and birds. The commission shall report its findings, including any proposed legislation, to
10the house and senate committees on ways and means, and the joint committee on environment
11and natural resources no later than May 1, 2025.
12 The commission shall consist of 11 members including: 1 member of the house of
13representatives, without a designating party; 1 member of the senate, without a designating party;
14the secretary of energy and environmental affairs or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the
15commissioner of the division of fisheries and wildlife, or a designee; the commissioner of the 2 of 2
16department of agricultural resources, or a designee; and 6 members appointed by the governor: 1
17of whom shall be a university of massachusetts faculty member specializing in the science of
18pollinator health; 1 of whom shall be a representative of the university of massachusetts
19extension with knowledge in crops which rely on pollinators and pollinator health; 1 of whom
20shall represent an advocacy group for farmers; 1 of whom shall be a beekeeper representing a
21regional or statewide beekeeping organization; 1 of whom shall represent an advocacy group for
22nurseries; and 1 of whom shall represent a membership based non-profit advocacy group
23dedicated to land protection.
24 (b) The special commission shall examine issues relevant to pollinator health, including:
25(i) identifying current laws and regulations in the commonwealth and other states and countries
26related to protecting pollinators and pollinator health; (ii) studying public education and outreach
27plans regarding pollinator habitat that have been successful in other states; (iii) identifying
28adequacy of funding for efforts to promote or protect pollinator habitat; (iv) investigating the
29means used by other states to gather data on populations of pollinators; (v) evaluating existing
30best management practices for promoting pollinator health including, but not limited to, foraging
31and proper food source diversity; (vi) studying the use of agricultural and nonagricultural lands,
32such as transportation corridors, energy transmission corridors, parks, and working forests, and
33how they may be used to provide pollinator forage and unique opportunities to increase
34pollinator populations; (vii) research and identify ways to expand and coordinate public
35education programs outlining steps individuals and businesses can take to help address the loss
36of pollinator habitat.