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S 67

Attorney General Retirement

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ronnie Cromer and 6 co-sponsors

Requires annual reimbursement from the general fund to the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund for revenue lost when licenses are discounted or free.

Committed to Committee on Finance
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Bill Summary · S 67

Summary — S.67 (2025): Reimburse the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund

Note on contents: The bill text provided for S.67 (Senate Docket No. 136) concerns reimbursement to the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund. (This differs from the separate FOIA-related title listed in the bill header; this summary is based on the bill text supplied.)

Purpose and intent

The bill requires the Commonwealth to reimburse the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund from the state general fund for any revenue lost because fishing or hunting licenses are sold at a discount or provided free of charge. The apparent intent is to make the fund whole when statutory or policy decisions reduce license revenue (e.g., discounted or complimentary licenses).

Key provision

  • Amends Section 11 of Chapter 131 of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding this sentence to the end of the section:
    • “The George L. Darey inland fisheries and game fund shall be reimbursed annually from the general fund for all loss of revenue for any fishing or hunting license provided at a discount and for any license provided free of charge.”

Who is affected

  • Primary: George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund — the fund would receive annual reimbursements to cover lost license revenue.
  • Secondary: Massachusetts general fund — would incur an annual obligation to reimburse the fund for identified revenue losses.
  • Indirectly affected: the agency that issues fishing and hunting licenses (and the programs supported by the Darey fund), and license holders (discounts/free licenses continue to be offered without reducing the fund’s receipts).

Fiscal and operational impact

  • Creates a recurring, unspecified fiscal obligation on the state general fund equal to the annual revenue loss attributable to discounted or free licenses.
  • The bill does not specify methodology or reporting requirements to quantify “loss of revenue”; implementation details (calculation, timing, oversight) are not set out in the text and may be developed in regulation or implementing guidance.
  • No dollar amounts, thresholds, or effective date are provided in the text.

Legislative status and timeline (selected actions)

  • Introduced in the Senate: 01/08–01/09/2025 (Senate Docket No. 136 / S.67).
  • Referred to committees: Judiciary; Agriculture; Investigations and Government Operations (various referrals noted).
  • Hearing scheduled: 05/13/2025.
  • Advanced to third reading: 06/04/2025.
  • Substituted by A6613 (companion bill): 06/11/2025.
  • Reported favorably by committee and referred to Senate Ways and Means: 10/02/2025.

Notes for stakeholders

  • Fiscal office analysis or an official fiscal note would be needed to estimate annual cost to the general fund.
  • Watch companion bill A6613 and any implementing language for details on calculation, reporting, and effective dates.

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

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