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S 607

Medicaid

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tameika Isaac Devine and 3 co-sponsors

Creates a MA statewide invasive-species program and Trust Fund to prevent, control, and eradicate invasives; funds grants (up to 75% for 5 years) and requires planning.

Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs
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Bill Summary · S 607

Massachusetts S.607 — "An Act responding to the threat of invasive species"

(Submitted as Senate No. 607)

Purpose

This bill creates a coordinated, state-level program to prevent, control and manage invasive species across Massachusetts. It establishes governance, funding, planning, research, and grant-making authorities to support local, regional, nonprofit and academic efforts to detect, eradicate, control and maintain invasive-species projects.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a new Invasive Species Trust Fund:

    • Funding sources: appropriations, gifts/grants/private contributions, investment income, and voluntary contributions from applicants for sporting/hunting/fishing/trapping licenses.
    • Funds held in trust, not reverting to the General Fund and not subject to chapter 29, §5C. Expenditures cannot create a year-end deficiency.
    • Administered by the statewide invasive species coordinator.

  • Creates/strengthens institutional roles (added to chapter 20):

    • Statewide invasive species coordinator (executive office of energy and environmental affairs — EOEEA).
    • Invasive Species Advisory Committee.
    • EOEEA invasive species office and a requirement to develop/implement a statewide strategic management plan.

  • Grants and awards:

    • Eligible applicants: municipalities or groups of municipalities, cooperative invasive species management areas, non-profits, state agencies, and others.
    • The invasive species office may award grants when projects align with the statewide strategic plan and are suitable to eradicate, control, or minimize impacts.
    • Recurring maintenance projects: may receive grants up to 75% of annual project costs, for up to five years.
    • Funding priorities: (1) incipient infestations with potential for eradication; (2) prevent/control spread; (3) recurring maintenance.
    • Selection criteria specified (e.g., natural resources conserved, committee priorities, impacts on threatened/endangered species, public access, commercial/agricultural importance, local support).

  • Application requirements:

    • Applicants must prepare a management plan (with offered consultation) that: identifies root causes; specifies control/eradication techniques; minimizes adverse environmental impacts; provides best-management practices to prevent reinfestation; and identifies impacts to rare/threatened species (chapter 131A).

  • Supports research and pilot projects at universities, colleges, non-profits and other facilities to test new control technologies and permits citizen‑science engagement.

Who is affected / benefits

  • Municipal governments, regional cooperative groups, nonprofits, state agencies, universities, and other organizations engaged in invasive‑species control are eligible for grants and technical support.
  • Natural resource values (forests, wetlands, fisheries), recreation, agriculture and infrastructure may benefit from coordinated control and early eradication efforts.
  • Voluntary license contributors (sporting/hunting/fishing/trapping) may be a source of funding.

Procedural history / current status (highlights)

  • Filed in the Massachusetts Senate (Jan 15, 2025) as Senate No. 607 (sponsored/presented in text by Senator Patricia D. Jehlen).
  • Referred to Environment and Natural Resources (Feb 27, 2025); hearings held; advanced and passed Senate (May 13, 2025); delivered to the House and subsequently referred to Higher Education.
  • Multiple committee actions, amendments and recalls occurred through mid‑2025; reported favorably and referred to Senate Ways & Means on 2025‑11‑17 per legislative actions list.
  • The document shows active movement through committees; check the official General Court site for the latest status.

Notes / metadata discrepancies

  • The document text and sponsor listed in the bill text indicate Massachusetts sponsorship (Sen. Jehlen). Some metadata provided with your request (bill title about dietitians/nutritionists; sponsor names such as John Boozman, Maggie Hassan, Toby Ann Stavisky) appear inconsistent with the Massachusetts invasive‑species bill content. The summary above follows the bill text contained in Senate No. 607 (Massachusetts) titled “An Act responding to the threat of invasive species.” If you intended a different S.607 (another jurisdiction or subject), please provide that text or clarify and I will produce an updated summary.

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

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