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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2310 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 587
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Bruce E. Tarr
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act creating the commercial fisheries offshore wind mitigation fund.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Bruce E. TarrFirst Essex and Middlesex 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2310 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 587
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 587) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to
create the commercial fisheries offshore wind mitigation fund. Environment and Natural
Resources.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act creating the commercial fisheries offshore wind mitigation fund.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 10 of the general laws as appearing in the 2020 official edition is hereby
2amended by inserting after section 35PPP the following new section:-“Section 35QQQ
3 (a)There is hereby established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a
4separate fund to be known as the Commercial Fisheries Offshore Wind Mitigation. The purpose
5of this fund shall be to maintain seafood industry resiliency and expand opportunity by
6developing new fisheries; enhancing existing fisheries; introducing new and efficient
7technologies; and modernizing physical infrastructure to ensure the seafood industry’s
8competitiveness in a global marketplace, all of which will upgrade energy efficiency, lower
9carbon footprints, and improve operational efficiencies. The fund shall consist of: (i) any
10revenues or other financing sources directed to the fund by appropriation; (ii) bond revenues or
11other monies authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the
12fund; (iii) any income derived from the investment of amounts credited to the fund or repayment 2 of 2
13of loans from the fund; (iv) funds from public and private sources including, but not limited to
14gifts, federal or private grants, donations, rebates and settlements received by the commonwealth
15that are specifically designated to be credited to the fund; and (v) all other amounts credited or
16transferred into the fund from any other source. The executive office of energy and
17environmental affairs shall seek to maximize fund revenues through federal monies, matching
18funds and grants. The fund shall be administrated by the commissioner of fish and game in
19consultation with the commercial fisheries commission established by section 79 of chapter 179
20of the acts of 2022. Any unexpended balances in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not
21revert back to the General Fund and shall be available for expenditures in the subsequent fiscal
22year.
23 (b)Annually, not later than December 1, the commissioner of fish and game shall
24report on the activities of the fund to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and
25to the house and senate committees on ways and means. The report shall include an accounting
26of expenditures made from the fund with a description of the authorized purpose of each
27expenditure, an accounting of amounts credited to the fund and any unexpended balance
28remaining in the fund