James Cleveland Black

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 122 co-sponsors

Gives Nantucket a two-year extension to adopt nutrient management and fertilizer rules, aligned with DAR standards and UMass Extension guidance.

Introduced and adopted

Quick overview

Bill number: H.4437 (House Docket No. 4980)

Title: An Act relative to the regulation of nutrient management and fertilizer in the town of Nantucket

Introduced: August 21, 2025

Primary sponsors: Rep. Thomas W. Moakley and Sen. Julian Cyr

Purpose: To extend the deadline for Nantucket to adopt nutrient management and fertilizer guidelines and ensure alignment with state regulatory standards and University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension programs

Status: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee; local approval noted; hearing scheduled in 2025; Senate concurrence previously achieved

Purpose and intent

The bill provides a two-year extension for Nantucket to adopt any rule, regulation, or by-law relating to nutrient management and fertilizer guidelines adopted under Nantucket’s historic local framework (Chapter 561 of the Acts of 1973). The extension is intended to keep Nantucket’s local nutrient guidelines aligned with state regulations and educational materials, and to ensure consistency with the University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension’s guidance on plant nutrients.

Key provisions

Section 1: Extension of deadlines

Notwithstanding sections 9 and 10 of Chapter 262 of the Acts of 2012 or other laws, Nantucket may delay the adoption deadline for nutrient management and fertilizer rules/by-laws by two years after the act’s effective date.
Any adopted rule/regulation/by-law must be at least as restrictive as regulations established by the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) under Chapter 262.
Nantucket’s rulemaking must be done in conjunction with UMass Amherst Extension to ensure consistency with the program’s published information, educational materials, and outreach activities related to nutrient management and fertilizer guidelines.

Section 2: Effective date

The act takes effect upon passage.

Affected parties and scope

Nantucket town government, its boards/commissions, and residents/businesses subject to local nutrient management and fertilizer guidelines.

State agencies (e.g., Department of Agricultural Resources) for alignment with statewide standards.

UMass Amherst Extension, whose guidance and outreach will be referenced in implementing Nantucket’s guidelines.

Procedural and timeline notes

Hearing scheduled: September 16, 2025 (10:00 AM–1:00 PM, B-1)

Legislative actions timeline:

August 21, 2025: Referred to Agriculture and Fisheries
August 25, 2025: Senate concurred
August 28, 2025: Hearing scheduled
November 12, 2025: Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

Related matter: Similar bills previously filed (Senate 2437, 2023-2024)

Potential impact and considerations

Local regulatory flexibility granted while maintaining alignment with state standards.

Extension provides time for Nantucket to harmonize local nutrients guidelines with DAR regulations and UMass Extension materials, potentially reducing compliance uncertainty.

Immediate effect upon passage; no new funding specified in the bill.

Bill