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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1438 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 981
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Mary S. Keefe
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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 to protect pollinator habitat.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Mary S. Keefe15th Worcester1/14/2025Brian M. Ashe2nd Hampden1/22/2025Patricia A. Duffy5th Hampden1/30/2025Carmine Lawrence Gentile13th Middlesex2/14/2025David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf17th Worcester2/10/2025Jason M. LewisFifth Middlesex3/3/2025Adrianne Pusateri Ramos14th Essex3/6/2025Bruce E. TarrFirst Essex and Middlesex2/27/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1438 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 981
By Representative Keefe of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 981) of Mary
S. Keefe and others for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the
General Court) relative to opportunities for improving pollinator health. Environment and
Natural Resources.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 843 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 to protect pollinator habitat.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 (a) There shall be a special commission established to study statewide opportunities for
2improving pollinator health by increasing and enhancing native pollinator habitat.
3 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.
7 The commission shall consider enhancing and expanding pollinator habitat for a broad
8range of native and managed pollinators including but not limited to wild and managed bees,
9butterflies, moths, beetles, ants, bats and birds. 2 of 3
10 The commission shall report its findings, including any proposed legislation, to the house
11and senate committees on ways and means, and the joint committee on environment, natural
12resources and agriculture no later than March 1, 2026.
13 The commission shall consist of 11 members including:
14 1 member of the house of representatives, without a designating party; 1 member of the
15senate, without a designating party; the secretary of energy and environmental affairs or a
16designee, who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of the division of fisheries and wildlife, or a
17designee; the commissioner of agricultural resources, or a designee; and 6 members appointed by
18the governor: 1 of whom shall be a university of massachusetts faculty member specializing in
19the science of pollinator health; 1 of whom shall be a representative of the university of
20massachusetts extension with knowledge in crops which rely on pollinators and pollinator health;
211 of whom shall represent an advocacy group for farmers; 1 of whom shall be a beekeeper
22representing a regional or statewide beekeeping organization; 1 of whom shall represent an
23advocacy group for nurseries; and 1 of whom shall represent a membership based non-profit
24advocacy group dedicated to land protection.
25 (b) The special commission shall examine issues relevant to pollinator health, including:
26(i) identifying current laws and regulations in the commonwealth and other states and countries
27related to protecting pollinators and pollinator health; (ii) studying public education and outreach
28plans regarding pollinator habitat that have been successful in other states; (iii) identifying
29adequacy of funding for efforts to promote or protect pollinator habitat; (iv) investigating the
30means used by other states to gather data on populations of pollinators; (v) evaluating existing
31best management practices for promoting pollinator health including, but not limited to, foraging 3 of 3
32and proper food source diversity; (vi) studying the use of agricultural and nonagricultural lands,
33such as transportation corridors, energy transmission corridors, parks, and working forests, and
34how they may be used to provide pollinator forage and unique opportunities to increase
35pollinator populations; (vii) research and identify ways to expand and coordinate public
36education programs outlining steps individuals and businesses can take to help address the loss
37of pollinator habitat.