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SD 1839

An Act relative to a future blue economy

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dylan Fernandes

Creates MA grant programs for circular economy, ocean-health R&D, and blue-STEAM education, prioritizing environmental justice, with grants tied to measurable MA economic benefits.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 1839

Summary of Senate Bill SD 1839 – An Act relative to a future blue economy

Status: House concurred
Introduced: February 27, 2025
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources (referred 2025-02-27)
Context: Similar matter previously filed as Senate No. 535 in 2023-2024

Purpose and intent

  • To advance Massachusetts’ ocean and blue economy by creating targeted grant programs and educational funding to support a transition to a circular economy, promote ocean health research and technology, and expand blue-economy education in high schools.
  • Emphasizes equity, environmental justice, and measurable economic benefits to the Commonwealth.

Key provisions

1) Circular economy grant program (Chapter 21, new Section 68)

  • Establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
  • Purpose: provide funding to Massachusetts small businesses to transition to a circular economy (keeping materials, products, and services circulating longer).
  • Eligibility: businesses incorporated in MA, licensed to do business in MA, or with a MA location.
  • Regulation: MassDEP to promulgate regulations to support program creation.
  • Benefit requirement: all grants must provide a measurable economic benefit to Massachusetts.
  • Prioritization criteria:
    • (i) Certified minority-owned and women-owned businesses.
    • (ii) Businesses located within an environmental justice (EJ) population.
    • (iii) Businesses that provide substantial benefit to EJ populations, provided other criteria are met.
  • Discretion: MassDEP may select between similarly situated applications.

2) Ocean health research and technology grant program (Chapter 21A, new Section 29)

  • Establishes a grant program administered by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA).
  • Purpose: fund Massachusetts nonprofits, academic institutions, and businesses to conduct scientific research and R&D for improving ocean health and responsible use of the ocean.
  • Eligible activities: scientific studies, R&D, investment in or expansion of existing beneficial technology, and research into effects on the Commonwealth, economy, or specific industries.
  • Regulation: EEA to promulgate rules to support program creation.
  • Eligibility: entities with MA location (incorporated in MA, licensed to do business in MA, or with a MA location).
  • Benefit requirement: grants must provide a measurable economic benefit to the MA ocean economy.
  • Prioritization criteria:
    • Most measurable benefit to ocean environment, marine species, or coastal communities.
    • Use of existing technology identified as the best available prototype in the field.
    • Equity and inclusivity outcomes.
    • Promotion of time-series data usage.
  • Discretion: EEA may decide between similarly situated applications.

3) Blue Economy Education Fund (Chapter 69, new Section 1U)

  • Creates within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) a Blue Economy Education Fund.
  • Purpose: fund MA high schools to expand blue-STEAM education, workforce training, and job placement in ocean-related industries.
  • Blue-STEAM: ocean sector jobs in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.
  • Application process: DESE to establish for high schools seeking funds.
  • Priority: funding awarded to high schools located in EJ communities or with a substantial EJ student population (per definitions in statute).

Beneficiaries and impact

  • Small businesses across Massachusetts seeking to adopt circular economy practices.
  • Nonprofits, colleges/universities, and businesses pursuing ocean-health research and technology development.
  • MA high schools, especially those serving EJ communities, to expand blue-STEAM education and workforce readiness.
  • Regions and communities within environmental justice populations may disproportionately benefit due to prioritization criteria.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced and filed in 2025; referred to ENR; subsequently reported as House-concurred.
  • Provisions include regulations (MassDEP and EEA) and an internal DESE funding process framework.
  • All grants and grants-related activities require measurable economic impact for Massachusetts and prioritization consistent with EJ considerations.

If you’d like, I can break down potential fiscal implications or create a side-by-side comparison with prior related legislation.

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

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