This bill addresses the presence and management of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) within the agricultural sector. It grants immunity to farmers from civil liability for PFAS-related damages stemming from standard agricultural practices. The bill also establishes the Agricultural PFAS Relief Fund. This fund will provide financial assistance for testing, remediation, and education initiatives concerning PFAS, as well as for necessary infrastructure modifications. Additionally, an Agricultural Fertilizer Purchasing Fund will help farmers cope with fertilization costs due to restrictions on PFAS-contained products.

The bill prohibits the application of biosolids on land and restricts the sale of fertilizers containing PFAS unless they are certified free from such substances, requiring testing and public disclosure of results. Also, lands withdrawn from agricultural use due to PFAS will be exempt from conveyance and roll-back taxes.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is designated to develop and enforce regulations on biosolid use, while promoting transparency and public safety. Local communities will be reimbursed for any additional costs of sludge disposal. The bill also mandates a detailed study on state sludge management to reduce sludge volume and toxicity. Supported by a grant program for municipalities to enhance waste management practices, this initiative requires a comprehensive sludge management plan to be submitted by the end of 2026, identifying financial and legislative requirements.

This bill contains a number of provisions to strengthen Massachusetts' agricultural economy. It directs the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), along with other state agencies, to create and update a resilience plan every five years. It establishes a full-time food system coordinator position, who will lead state food program oversight, enhance interagency collaboration, and present findings and recommendations periodically.

The bill calls for a comprehensive policy to optimize the distribution of local food through state food assistance programs, including partnerships with regional food banks and state departments to monitor and improve local food distribution, enhancing transparency through metrics and recommendations. It establishes the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program, to increase access to healthy local foods and support Massachusetts' food supply and distribution networks through capital needs grants.

The bill creates the Next Generation Farmers Fund, offering grants to educational institutions and community organizations, with an emphasis on assisting historically underserved communities. It also amends regulations to include "agritourism" and supports agricultural preservation through enhanced valuation practices for agriculture-related infrastructure and land.

The bill amends Section 6C of Chapter 20 of the Massachusetts General Laws to restructure the Massachusetts Food Policy Council. The council will consist of 20 members, including representatives from the state legislature and designees from various relevant departments such as agriculture, public health, education, economic development, environmental protection, and fish and game. Additionally, the governor will appoint members with backgrounds in farm organizations, food distribution, processing, marketing interests, direct-to-consumer marketing, local health departments, and food safety and processing.

Moreover, the bill stipulates that advisory committee members are eligible for compensation, which will be determined by the council and approved by the chief financial officer of the Department of Agricultural Resources. Compensation is contingent on compliance with Chapter 268A of the General Laws and the provision of necessary documentation. Members must submit compensation requests within 30 days of the expenses being incurred, as late requests may be deemed ineligible for payment.

This bill establishes a year-round Healthy Incentives Program aimed at improving access to nutritious food for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries in Massachusetts. The program enables SNAP recipients to receive matching benefits on their EBT cards for purchasing fruits and vegetables from participating vendors. An emphasis is placed on increasing vendor participation in areas with limited access to fresh produce and supporting historically underserved communities. To ensure equitable community outreach, the bill mandates collaboration with local food coalitions and nonprofit organizations.

To finance the program, the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Fund is established, drawing revenue from public and private sources, federal reimbursements, and grants. The Department of Transitional Assistance is encouraged to pursue additional federal funding, including from the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program. The bill requires the department to submit an annual report by January 31 to relevant legislative bodies and committees. This report must include details on program activities such as utilization demographics, transaction counts, vendor information, and strategies targeting underserved areas. Additionally, the department is responsible for developing the necessary rules and regulations for the program's implementation.

This bill amends the structure and administrative regulations of the Massachusetts Food Policy Council. It expands the council to 20 members, ensuring representation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Senate, and several state departments, including agricultural resources, public health, and environmental protection. It also incorporates members with specific expertise in areas like healthy soils practices and community-based nutrition initiatives, appointed by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the governor, respectively. The council integrates both governmental and non-governmental appointees who have vested interests in various sectors of food distribution, processing, marketing, safety, and public health.

Moreover, the bill introduces provisions for compensating advisory committee members for their services, with compensation subject to approval by the chief financial officer of the Department of Agricultural Resources and the availability of funds. This compensation must adhere to state laws, and members are required to submit reimbursement requests within 30 days of incurring expenses; requests submitted after this period may not be eligible for reimbursement.

This bill contains a number of provisions to strengthen Massachusetts' agricultural economy. It directs the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), along with other state agencies, to create and update a resilience plan every five years. It establishes a full-time food system coordinator position, who will lead state food program oversight, enhance interagency collaboration, and present findings and recommendations periodically.

The bill calls for a comprehensive policy to optimize the distribution of local food through state food assistance programs, including partnerships with regional food banks and state departments to monitor and improve local food distribution, enhancing transparency through metrics and recommendations. It establishes the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program, to increase access to healthy local foods and support Massachusetts' food supply and distribution networks through capital needs grants.

The bill creates the Next Generation Farmers Fund, offering grants to educational institutions and community organizations, with an emphasis on assisting historically underserved communities. It also amends regulations to include "agritourism" and supports agricultural preservation through enhanced valuation practices for agriculture-related infrastructure and land.

This bill addresses the presence and management of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) within the agricultural sector. It grants immunity to farmers from civil liability for PFAS-related damages stemming from standard agricultural practices. The bill also establishes the Agricultural PFAS Relief Fund. This fund will provide financial assistance for testing, remediation, and education initiatives concerning PFAS, as well as for necessary infrastructure modifications. Additionally, an Agricultural Fertilizer Purchasing Fund will help farmers cope with fertilization costs due to restrictions on PFAS-contained products.

The bill prohibits the application of biosolids on land and restricts the sale of fertilizers containing PFAS unless they are certified free from such substances, requiring testing and public disclosure of results. Also, lands withdrawn from agricultural use due to PFAS will be exempt from conveyance and roll-back taxes.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is designated to develop and enforce regulations on biosolid use, while promoting transparency and public safety. Local communities will be reimbursed for any additional costs of sludge disposal. The bill also mandates a detailed study on state sludge management to reduce sludge volume and toxicity. Supported by a grant program for municipalities to enhance waste management practices, this initiative requires a comprehensive sludge management plan to be submitted by the end of 2026, identifying financial and legislative requirements.

This bill establishes a year-round Healthy Incentives Program in Massachusetts, managed by the Department of Transitional Assistance in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Resources and the Department of Public Health. The program provides Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients with matching benefits for purchasing fruits and vegetables, which may be fresh, canned, dried, or frozen, from participating vendors. Its goal is to enhance access to fresh produce, particularly in historically underserved areas. To support these efforts, the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Fund is created, overseen by the commissioner of the Department of Transitional Assistance and financed by public and private sources. The department is authorized to pursue federal funding opportunities, such as the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, to augment the fund. The bill mandates an annual report to be submitted, detailing program activities including participant demographics, transaction data, vendor participation, and efforts to improve access in underserved regions. This report is to be presented to relevant legislative committees and made available publicly on the department’s website. The department is also responsible for developing the necessary rules and regulations to implement the program, working with local food coalitions and nonprofit organizations to ensure equitable access and high community awareness.