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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1536 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 957
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jessica Ann Giannino
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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 establishing a commission to study dredging needs for recreational boating in
Commonwealth waterways.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Jessica Ann Giannino16th Suffolk1/15/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1536 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 957
By Representative Giannino of Revere, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 957) of
Jessica Ann Giannino for an investigation by a special commission to study dredging needs for
recreational boating in Commonwealth waterways. Environment and Natural Resources.
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 establishing a commission to study dredging needs for recreational boating in
Commonwealth waterways.
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. (a) There shall be established, under the Executive Office of Energy and
2Environmental Affairs, a commission to research and review dredging needs for recreational
3boating in Commonwealth waterways. Within one year, the Commission shall report to the
4legislature on recommendations for how to: (i) fund such dredging projects; (ii) streamline the
5permitting process for such dredging projects; (iii) reduce the costs associated with permitting
6such projects; and (iv) identify disposal options, all for the purpose of maintaining and, where
7appropriate, improving recreational boating access to the Commonwealth’s waterways. Special
8attention shall be given to Commonwealth owned sediments requiring dredging to maintain
9recreational boating access, irrespective of what entity owns or operates the boating facilities
10associated therewith.
11 (b) (1) The commission shall have 9 members: 1 member to be appointed by the
12governor, 1 member to be appointed by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs; 1 2 of 3
13member to be appointed by the president of the senate for a term of 2 years; 1 member to be
14appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives for a term of 2 years; 1 member to be
15appointed by the senate minority leader, for a term of 2 year; and 1 member to be appointed by
16the minority leader of the house of representatives; the Secretary of Energy and Environmental
17Affairs, ex-officio and the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, ex-officio. Each
18member of the commission shall be an expert with experience in at least one of the following
19fields: the business of recreational boating; environmental policy, public policy, economic
20development or ocean management. At least one member shall be a director of a statewide non-
21profit organization dedicated to the business of recreational boating. One of the members shall be
22appointed by the governor to serve as chairperson of the commission. The Executive Office of
23Energy and Environmental Affairs shall provide meeting space and administrative support to the
24commission.
25 (2) The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services,
26other than as may be already provided for due to their position outside the commission. The
27commission may receive such funds to carry out its mission as may be authorized and
28appropriated or donated from time to time.
29 (3) The powers of the commission shall be advisory.
30 (4) The commission may request from all state agencies such information and assistance
31as the commission may require, which shall be provided as promptly as is reasonably practicable.
32The commission may also request such information from companies and organizations with state
33contracts that provide services relative to the scope of the commission, which shall also be
34provided as promptly as is reasonably practicable. 3 of 3
35 (5) The commission shall convene its first meeting within one month of appointment and
36shall submit its first report of recommendations not later than one year from appointment with
37the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate who shall forward a copy of the report to
38the house and senate chairs of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and
39Agriculture and the Governor.