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HD 3003

An Act designating Blanding's turtle as the official turtle of the Commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kate Hogan

Designates the Blanding's turtle as Massachusetts' official turtle emblem; a ceremonial designation to boost turtle conservation awareness, with no duties or funding attached.

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Bill Summary · HD 3003

Summary: Bill HD 3003 — An Act designating Blanding's turtle as the official turtle of the Commonwealth

Purpose and intent

  • This bill would designate the Blanding's turtle as the official turtle (or turtle emblem) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  • The designation is ceremonial in nature, intended to recognize the species and promote awareness of turtle conservation within the state.

Key provisions

  • Inserts a new section into Chapter 2 of the General Laws (as it appears in the 2016 Official Edition) adding:
    • Section 64. The Blanding's turtle shall be the official turtle or turtle emblem of the Commonwealth.
  • The text provides no accompanying duties, funding, or regulatory changes beyond the ceremonial designation.

Legislative details

  • Bill number: House Docket No. 3003 (HD 3003)
  • Title: An Act designating Blanding's turtle as the official turtle of the Commonwealth
  • Filed/Introduced: The accompanying materials show the bill filed January 16, 2025 (House No. 3345) and attributed to Rep. Kate Hogan (Stow).
  • Session context: Presented in the 2025-2026 General Court (One Hundred Ninety-Fourth General Court).
  • Historical note: A similar matter was filed in a prior session (House No. 3046 in 2023-2024), indicating ongoing interest in this designation.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its official legal framework, specifically the General Laws.
  • Indirectly affected: Government communications, educational and conservation outreach efforts, state agencies involved in wildlife and environmental programs, educators, students, and conservation organizations that may reference the official emblem in materials and campaigns.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: The provided materials do not specify a final status (e.g., enacted, defeated, or vetoed). The bill exists as a proposed measure in the 2025-2026 session.
  • Process context: As a House bill proposing a statutory designation, it would need passage by both the House and Senate and approval by the Governor to become law.
  • Timeline note: The bill reflects an ongoing process in the legislature, with a prior related filing in a previous session suggesting continued legislative attention to a state turtle designation.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Legal effect: Creates a formal, symbolic designation for Blanding's turtle, codifying a state emblem without prescribing regulatory duties or budgetary allocations.
  • Conservation and education: Could bolster public awareness and educational outreach about Blanding's turtle and related conservation issues, potentially influencing state branding and outreach activities.
  • Implementation: No explicit implementation steps or funding requirements are stated in the text; any further actions would depend on subsequent statutory language or agency guidance if the bill advances.

Notable details

  • The official designation would be added as Section 64 to Chapter 2 of the General Laws.
  • The bill text explicitly names the Blanding's turtle as the Commonwealth’s official turtle or turtle emblem.

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

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