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HD 5474

An Act designating asparagus as the official vegetable of the Commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Homar Gomez

Designates asparagus as Massachusetts’ official vegetable, a ceremonial title with no funding or duties, leaving branding or education to future lawmakers.

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Bill Summary · HD 5474

Summary of Bill HD 5474: An Act designating asparagus as the official vegetable of the Commonwealth

Overview

  • Bill Number: HD 5474
  • Title: An Act designating asparagus as the official vegetable of the Commonwealth
  • Status: Filed and introduced in the 194th General Court (2025-2026). The exact current status is not provided in the available text.
  • Introduced/Filed: December 22, 2025
  • Primary Sponsor: Homar Gómez (2nd Hampshire district)

Purpose

The bill designates asparagus as the official vegetable of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This is a symbolic, ceremonial designation intended to recognize the vegetable officially at the state level.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the General Laws of Massachusetts by adding a new section to Chapter 2.
  • New Section 65 states: “Asparagus shall be the official vegetable of the commonwealth.”
  • The provision is a straightforward designation without additional duties, programs, or regulatory requirements attached to the designation.

What Would Change

  • Official Recognition: Massachusetts would publicly recognize asparagus as its official vegetable.
  • No Explicit Fiscal or Administrative Mandates: The text does not establish funding, programs, or mandated actions for state agencies, departments, or municipalities beyond the designation itself.
  • Branding and Education (Potential Future Impacts): While not specified, the designation could foster state branding or educational initiatives related to asparagus, agriculture, or local farming in the future if pursued by lawmakers or agencies.

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • State government: The designation is a symbol in state law, with potential indirect effects on agricultural marketing or cultural events, should the Legislature or executive branch choose to leverage it.
  • Agricultural and culinary communities: Farmers, distributors, and educators might reference the designation in branding or outreach, though no obligations are imposed by the bill itself.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • The bill is filed as House Docket No. 5474 and introduced/ filed on December 22, 2025.
  • Chapter 2 of the General Laws would be amended to add a new Section 65 upon enactment.
  • No specific effective date or sunset provision is provided in the text available; typically, enacted laws take effect on a specified date or upon passage, but this would be determined in the final enacted language.

Summary

HD 5474 seeks to codify asparagus as the official vegetable of the Commonwealth through a straightforward amendment to Chapter 2 of the General Laws (adding Section 65). The designation is ceremonial, with no stated fiscal or regulatory obligations, and could serve as a basis for future promotional or educational initiatives if pursued.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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