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Bill

H 3345

South Carolina Mentoring Day

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Doug Gilliam and 1 co-sponsor

Designates the Blanding’s turtle as Massachusetts’ official turtle emblem; a symbolic recognition with no funding or regulatory changes attached.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3345

Summary of House Bill 3345 (H 3345)

Title and Purpose

  • Bill: H 3345
  • Official Title: An Act designating Blanding's turtle as the official turtle of the Commonwealth
  • Purpose: Designate the Blanding’s turtle as the official turtle (emblem) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

What the bill would do

  • Adds a new provision to the Massachusetts General Laws by inserting a new section at the end of Chapter 2.
  • Provision (Section 64): “The Blanding’s turtle shall be the official turtle or turtle emblem of the Commonwealth.”
  • The designation is a symbolic recognition, with no explicit authorizations for funding, regulatory changes, or new programs beyond the designation itself.

Key provisions and changes

  • Authority targeted: General Laws, Chapter 2 (as it appeared in the 2016 Official Edition).
  • New section (Section 64): Establishes the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) as the Commonwealth’s official turtle or turtle emblem.
  • Effective scope: The designation applies to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its official symbolism.

Who is affected

  • Primary effect: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and state government entities that reference official symbols or emblems.
  • Public and educational impact: Potential downstream use in state branding, tourism, conservation education, and school curricula as a symbol of wildlife conservation, with no specific mandates or funding attached in the bill itself.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced / Filed: February 27, 2025.
  • Referred to committee: February 27, 2025, to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
  • Legislative action noted:
    • Senate concurrence noted on February 27, 2025.
    • Similar matter previously filed in prior session (House Bill 3046, 2023-2024; H 3003 replaces or is related to this docket).
  • Hearing: Scheduled for June 24, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM in hearing room A-1.
  • Status: In committee stage with a hearing scheduled; no final passage date listed in the provided information.

Related information

  • Similar/previously filed matter: House Bill 3046 (2023-2024) and related replacement filings.
  • Related bill docket: House Docket No. 3003; House Bill 3345 reference as the petitioned measure.

Potential impact and considerations

  • The bill is a symbolic designation with minimal direct regulatory or fiscal impact evident in the text.
  • It could influence public awareness of Massachusetts wildlife conservation, particularly around native turtle species.
  • Any future amendments could address funding for educational materials or conservation partnerships tied to the designation; none are present in the current text.

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

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