L E G I S L A T I V E
U P D A T E
The Beacon Hill Report
by Stephen A. Boksanski
GIA Legislative Agent
After a tumultuous close to 2019 that was highlighted by an
extended impasse over closing out the FY19 surplus, we now
begin the 2020 legislative session.
A critical milestone in the legislative process will represent the
end of the line for thousands of bills. Joint Rule 12 requires leg-
islative committees to have a public hearing and make recom-
mendations on all their bills by the first Wednesday in February
of the second year of the term. In 2020, that day is February 5
and as we near that deadline we will see an increase in activity at
the committee level. Most bills are included in a study order,
which means they are essentially dead. Some will be reported
out favorably and will make their way onto the House and Sen-
ate calendars with the hope of advancing along the process.
Priority Issues
POLLINATOR HEALTH/NEONICOTINOID RESTRICTIONS
(H.763, H.818, S.463)
Several bills seeking to prohibit or restrict the use of neonic-
based products, or some seeking to require additional notifica-
tions to consumers before acquiring approval to use these
products, had a public hearing on Tuesday, November 12. We
coordinated a few industry representatives such as business
owner/operators, employees and trade association leaders to
present a unified message that these bills are unnecessary. Earlier
this year, we worked with the DAR, the House Chair of the Envi-
ronment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Rep. Carolyn
Dykema (D-Hopkinton) to support the inclusion of funding and
language to conduct a scientific review of neonicotinoids. The
review is getting underway and should be completed before
there is any action on these bills.
REPEAL OF STATEWIDE PRE-EMPTION ON PESTICIDE
REGULATION (H.776/S.447)
These bills also had a public hearing before the Joint Committee
on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on Tuesday,
November 12. Industry stakeholders voiced adamant opposition
to these bills that would allow every city and town to regulate
the use of pesticides rather than the state experts. These bills and
the neonic bills are not likely to get a recommendation until
sometime close to the committee reporting deadline.
HEALTHY SOILS
The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and
Agriculture recently reported out favorably a redrafted version of
the Healthy Soils legislation, now S.2404. The bill has been
referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means where it
will be further analyzed.The bill seeks to add an “expert in soils
practices” to the Massachusetts Food Policy Council and related
references to soil within the mission of the Council. It adds new
responsibilities related to the development of a healthy soils pro-
gram by the State Commission for Conservation of soil, water
and related resources, and to promote the use of healthy soils
policies and practices by private and public landowners. The bill
establishes the Healthy Soils Program (HSP) Fund to implement,
administer and develop healthy soils practices under the HSP. It
defines “healthy soils” practices which include “reduce the use of
fertilizers and herbicides.”
SNOW REMOVAL SERVICES LIMITED LIABILITY (S.1116/S.2314)
We succeeded in advancing this legislation beyond its original
committee and the legislation remains pending before the Senate
Committee on Ways and Means. We all need to keep the pres-
sure on and ramp up our contact with members of the Senate,
asking for this bill to be reported favorably and brought to the
floor for a vote.
Next Steps
We will remind key Chairmen and staff about our positions on
various bills as we near the Committee reporting deadline and
keep MAA members posted of all related activity.
It is important to stay engaged and speak up to your elected offi-
cials on these and other related matters. If they are not hearing
from you, they don’t understand or appreciate your opinion and
they may only believe what they hear from those with an oppos-
ing point of view.
The MAA is a proud member of the Green Industry Alliance along with
the Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals, Massachusetts
Association of Lawn Care Professionals, Irrigation Association of New
England, and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England.
Russell Holman, MCA serves as the MAA’s representative. If you are interested
in becoming involved with the GIA’s legislative and advocacy activities, please
contact the MAA Office.
MAA NEWS / March 2020 13