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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1941 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1055
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Thomas M. Stanley
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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 relative to the conservation of Atlantic striped bass.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Thomas M. Stanley9th Middlesex1/15/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1941 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1055
By Representative Stanley of Waltham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1055) of
Thomas M. Stanley for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the
General Court) relative to the status of wild striped bass in the Commonwealth. Environment
and Natural Resources.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 908 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to the conservation of Atlantic striped bass.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. There shall be a special commission to examine the status of wild striped
2bass in the Commonwealth.
3 SECTION 2. The commission shall examine and assess the impact that commercial
4harvesting and recreational fishing have upon the population and viability of wild striped bass in
5the Commonwealth.
6 SECTION 3. (The commission shall consist of a member of the Senate appointed by the
7President of the Senate; a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of
8the House of Representatives; a member of the Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;
9a member of the House of Representatives appointed by the House Minority leader; the Secretary 2 of 2
10of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs or their designee; the Secretary of
11the Executive Office of Health and Human Services or their designee; the Secretary of the
12Executive Office of Economic Development or their designee; a representative from the
13commercial fishing industry; a representative from the sports fishing industry; a representative of
14Stripers Forever, 3 independent representatives from the marine science industry who are experts
15in fisheries, to be chosen by the governor. The members of the commission shall be appointed
16not later 90 days after the effective date of this act and shall serve until the completion of the
17report.
18 SECTION 4. The commission shall hold public hearings in Gloucester, New Bedford,
19Boston, and on Cape Cod to assist in the collection and evaluation of data and testimony.
20 SECTION 5. The commission shall prepare a written report detailing its findings and
21recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those
22recommendations into effect. The commission shall submit its report to the governor, the
23secretary of the commonwealth, the clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives, the house
24and senate committees on ways and means, and the joint committee on environment, natural
25resources and agriculture not later than December 31 of 2026.