reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 20 § 25 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 20 - Department of Food and Agriculture|Section 25 - Annual Report of Agricultural Lands Preservation Committee

Section 25. The agricultural lands preservation committee shall prepare an annual report. The report shall include the number and geographic distribution of applications accepted and rejected, the acreage and costs of purchases, and such other information as will enable the program to be evaluated.
MA Gen L ch 20 § 26 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 20 - Department of Food and Agriculture|Section 26 - Property Tax Assessment of Land Under Agricultural Preservation Restrictions

Section 26. Land under agricultural preservation restrictions, while actively devoted to agricultural, horticultural or agricultural and horticultural use as defined in sections 1 to 5, inclusive, of chapter 61A, shall be assessed for general property tax purposes at values no greater than those determined by the methods and provisions of section 10 of said chapter 61A.
MA Gen L ch 20 § 27 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 20 - Department of Food and Agriculture|Section 27 - Farm Viability Technical Assistance and Implementation Funding

Section 27. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department may offer farm viability technical assistance and implementation funding to an owner of land subject to an agricultural preservation restriction, as defined by section 31 of chapter 184 if such owner demonstrates, in the case of implementation funding, that: the implementation shall improve the economic viability of the farm; retain or create private sector jobs and tax revenue either directly or indirectly associated with a farm business; improve farm productivity and competitiveness; expand farm facilities as part of a modernization or business plan; support renewable energy or environmental remediation projects on farms; or expand and support markets and infrastructure to strengthen the farming industry. The department shall adopt regulations to carry out this section.
MA Gen L ch 20 § 29 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 20 - Department of Food and Agriculture|Section 29 - Farm Capital Linked Loan Fund

Section 29. There shall be established and set upon the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Farm Capital Linked Loan Fund, consisting of revenues received under subsection (b) of section 28, including any interest or investment earnings on such monies and all other monies credited or transferred thereto from any other fund or source pursuant to law. Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund but shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. No expenditure made from the fund shall cause the fund to become deficient at any point during a fiscal year.  The fund shall be held and applied by the commissioner to make qualified linked loans pursuant to said subsection (b) of said section 28. The books and records of the Farm Preservation Linked Loan Fund shall be subject to an audit by the state auditor, in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards, as often as the state auditor determines is necessary.
MA Gen L ch 20 § 31 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 20 - Department of Food and Agriculture|Section 31 - Dairy Promotion Trust Fund

Section 31. There shall be established and set upon the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Dairy Promotion Trust Fund, consisting of revenues received pursuant to subsection (d) of section 30, including any interest or investment earnings on such monies and all other monies credited or transferred thereto from any other fund or source pursuant to law. Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund but shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. No expenditure made from the fund shall cause the fund to become deficient at any point during a fiscal year.  The dairy promotion board, established in subsection (a) of section 30, shall have exclusive authority to receive, deposit, invest and expend monies pursuant to section 30. The books and records of the Dairy Promotion Trust Fund shall be subject to an audit by the state auditor, in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards, as often as the state auditor determines is necessary.
MA Gen L ch 20 § 32 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 20 - Department of Food and Agriculture|Section 32 - Agricultural Inspection and Infrastructure Trust Fund

Section 32. There shall be established and set upon the books of the commonwealth an Agricultural Inspection and Infrastructure Trust Fund, consisting of: (i) fee revenues from apiary inspections under sections 32 and 35 of chapter 128, poultry inspections under section 124 of chapter 94, registration of animal rescue and shelter operations under section 39A of chapter 129 and registration of pesticide companies; (ii) interest or investment earnings on such monies; and (iii) all other monies credited or transferred to the fund by law.  The commissioner shall be the trustee of the fund and may expend monies in the fund without further appropriation for programs and costs related to the following: (1) sections 32 to 38, inclusive, and sections 64 and 65 inclusive of chapter 128; (2) the integrated pest management program established in chapter 132B and in chapter 85 of the acts of 2000; (3) spay and neuter programs and animal rescue and shelter programs established under section 139A of chapter 140; (4) poultry testing programs established in 330 CMR 5.00 seq; and (5) the Agricultural Innovation Center.  Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of the fiscal year, not to exceed $200,000, shall not revert to the General Fund but shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. No expenditure made from the fund shall cause the fund to become deficient at any point during a fiscal year.  [The Department of Environmental Management was changed to the Department of Conservation and Recreation by 2008, 451, Sec. 33.]
MA Gen L ch 21 § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 1 - Department; Natural Resources Defined; Duties; Divisions

Section 1. There shall be a department of conservation and recreation, in this chapter called the ''department''. It shall be the duty of said department to exercise general care and oversight of the natural resources of the commonwealth and of its adjacent waters; to make investigations and to carry on research relative thereto; and to propose and carry out measures for the protection, conservation, control, use, increase, and development thereof.  The words ''natural resources'', as used herein, shall be held to include ocean, shellfish and inland fisheries; wild birds, including song and insectivorous birds; wild mammals and game; sea and fresh water fish of every description; forests and all uncultivated flora, together with public shade and ornamental trees and shrubs; land, soil and soil resources, lakes, ponds, streams, coastal, underground and surface waters; minerals and natural deposits. The department shall also be concerned with the development of public recreation as related to such natural resources; and shall have control and supervision of such parks, forests, and areas of recreational, scenic, or historic significance as may be from time to time committed to it.  In carrying out its duties the department shall co-operate with the departments of food and agriculture, public health, public works, the University of Massachusetts, and such other departments, boards, officials, and institutions of the commonwealth or its subdivisions as may be concerned with matters under its supervision. It shall co-operate with adjoining states, and with the United States of America or any agency thereof, as authorized by the general court, and receive and dispense such funds from such agencies as shall be authorized by the general court.  The department of conservation and recreation shall consist of a division of state parks and recreation and a division of water supply protection. Each division shall be under the administrative supervision of a director and shall be under the supervision and control of the commissioner of the department of conservation and recreation. The division of water supply protection shall have control over the watershed and water supply systems in accordance with chapter 92A1/2. The division of state parks and recreation shall have control over the state parks, forests, parkways, waterways, rinks, pools, beaches and other recreational lands and facilities outside of the watershed systems as defined in sections 1 and 2 of chapter 92A1/2.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 2 - Stewardship Council

Section 2. The department shall be under the control of a stewardship council, which shall consist of 13 persons to be appointed by the governor in the manner provided in section 2A for terms of 7 years.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 2a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 2a - Members of the Council

Section 2A. The governor shall appoint 11 members of the stewardship council with due regard to geographical distribution, provided that 5 members shall reside within the urban parks district defined in section 33 of chapter 92, at least one of whom shall be a resident of the city of Boston, and 1 of whom shall be a resident of Berkshire county. Of these members, no more than 1 may come from the same county except as provided herein.  The commissioner shall request each of the boards of trustees or directors of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Trust for Public Land, the Environmental League of Massachusetts and the Trustees of Reservations, to nominate 6 candidates for the remaining 2 members of the council. From the nominations received from the several boards of such organizations, the commissioner shall select 6 candidates whom he shall recommend to the governor. The governor shall appoint the remaining 2 members of the council from among the candidates recommended by the commissioner.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 2b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 2b - Removal of Members of Stewardship Council; Absence From Meetings; Appointment of Successor; Certificates of Absence

Section 2B. Members of the stewardship council may be removed for cause by the governor, with the advice and consent of the council, after due notice and a hearing before the governor, for inefficiency, neglect of duty, misconduct in office, or other cause. A copy of the charge or charges against a board member shall be delivered to him not less than twenty-one days prior to the hearing, and he shall have the right to a public hearing and to appear in person and be represented by counsel at the hearing. Upon removal of any board member, the governor shall thereupon cause to be filed in the office of the state secretary a complete statement of all charges made against such board member, the findings thereon and a complete record of the proceedings thereunder.  The absence of a board member from three consecutive meetings, except for sickness supported by the certificate of a physician, shall be deemed neglect of duty, and shall be a cause for removal as provided herein.  In case of the resignation, removal or death of a board member, his successor shall be appointed to fill the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner and subject to the same qualifications as his predecessor.  Prior to such removal, however, the chairperson of the stewardship council shall certify the unexcused absence of said board member from three consecutive meetings by filing a certificate to that effect with the commissioner of the department of conservation and recreation and the secretary of the commonwealth. Upon the filing of such certificates, such a member's position shall be deemed vacant and the governor shall appoint a successor thereto. In case of the resignation, removal or death of a board member, said member's successor shall be appointed to fill the remainder of the unexpired term subject to the same terms and conditions as said member, so-called.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 2c (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 2c - Meetings of Council; Joint Meetings With Advisory Board

Section 2C. The stewardship council shall meet within the commonwealth within thirty days after appointment and at least once a month thereafter. It shall elect, at least annually, its own chairman and secretary, and shall make the appointments required to be made by it in the manner herein provided. Six stewardship council members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except in the case of appointment or removal of any person appointed by the stewardship council, or the approval of the appointment or removal of a division director. No appointment or removal of any person appointed by the stewardship council and no approval of the appointment or removal of a division director, shall be valid unless written notice of the meeting for such an appointment or removal or approval thereof, setting forth the business to be transacted thereat, shall have been sent by registered mail to each stewardship council member at least twenty-one days prior to such meeting, and then only by the affirmative vote of three or more members present and voting.  The stewardship council and the fisheries, wildlife and recreational vehicles advisory board shall meet jointly at least twice each year and may establish such policies as appear to be in the general interest.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 2d (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 2d - Members of Council; Holding Other Positions in Department

Section 2D. No member of the stewardship council shall hold any other position in the department while serving as such nor for a period of one year thereafter.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 2e (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 2e - Compensation of Council Members; Expenses

Section 2E. Members of the stewardship council shall serve without pay, but shall be reimbursed, out of any funds available for the purpose, for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. Such reimbursement shall not in any fiscal year exceed three thousand dollars for the total aggregate expenses of all board members.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 2f (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 2f - Management Guidelines for Sustainable Forestry Practices on Public and Private Forest Lands

Section 2F. The director of state parks and recreation shall work in cooperation with the director of the division of fisheries and wildlife within the department of fish and game to establish coordinated management guidelines for sustainable forestry practices on public forest lands within the departments of conservation and recreation and on private forest lands. Said guidelines for public forest lands shall include agreements on equipment, personnel transfers, operational costs, and assignment of specific management responsibilities.  The commissioner of conservation and recreation shall submit management plans to the stewardship council for the council's adoption with respect to all reservations, parks, and forests under the management of the department, regardless of whether such reservations, parks, or forests lie within the urban parks district or outside the urban parks district. Said management plans shall include guidelines for the operation and land stewardship of the aforementioned reservations, parks and forests, shall provide for the protection and stewardship of natural and cultural resources and shall ensure consistency between recreation, resource protection, and sustainable forest management. The commissioner shall seek and consider public input in the development of management plans, and shall make draft plans available for a public review and comment period through notice in the Environmental Monitor. Within thirty days of the adoption of such management plans, as amended from time to time, the commissioner shall file a copy of such plans as adopted by the council with the state secretary and the joint committee on natural resources and agriculture of the general court.  The commissioner of conservation and recreation shall be responsible for implementing said management plans, with due regard for the above requirement.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 2g (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 2g - Oversight Strategy Plans

Section 2G. The stewardship council shall develop an oversight strategy of park management plans, capital planning and policy development. Such oversight strategies will be published annually and after a 30 day public comment period will be finalized and submitted to the Secretary of Environmental Affairs. Such oversight plans must be prepared and submitted 45 days prior to the submission to the legislature of the governor's annual budget.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 3 - Commissioner; Directors

Section 3. The commissioner of conservation and recreation shall be the executive and administrative officer of the department, and he shall exercise supervision, direction and control over all the divisions of the department in accordance with such programs and policies as may from time to time be promulgated by the stewardship council. The commissioner shall be responsible for administering all laws vested in the department by general or special laws. The commissioner shall appoint and remove the directors of state parks and recreation and water supply protection with the approval of the stewardship council. The commissioner shall appoint and remove the directors of other divisions, bureaus or offices which he may establish as he deems appropriate for the efficient management and centralized administration of the department. The directors shall be qualified by training, executive ability, relevant experience and personal participation in the public programs of federal, urban, or state parks and recreation systems, to administer the duties of their respective offices, and shall not be subject to chapter 31. The commissioner may also appoint and remove a professional geologist, who shall be the state geologist and who shall not be subject to chapter 31 or section 9A of chapter 30.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 3a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 3a - Acting Commissioner; Commissioner's Salary

Section 3A. The stewardship council may designate an acting commissioner in the absence or disability of the commissioner, such acting commissioner to have the powers of the commissioner, the provisions of the general laws to the contrary notwithstanding. The position of commissioner shall be classified in accordance with section forty-five of chapter thirty and the salary shall be determined in accordance with section forty-six C of said chapter thirty.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 3b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 3b - Experts and Other Employees

Section 3B. The commissioner and the division directors may employ such experts, clerks, and other employees from time to time, and for such periods as they may determine to be necessary.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 3c (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 3c - Annual Budget; Report

Section 3C. The commissioner shall, with the approval of the stewardship council, prepare an annual budget of the department, and shall file the same pursuant to section three of chapter twenty-nine. Within ninety days after the end of each fiscal year, the commissioner shall render a complete detailed report of all activities, revenue and expenditures of the department and each division thereof, to the stewardship council, the general court and the governor and council.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 3d (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 3d - Acting Directors

Section 3D. The commissioner may designate acting directors during the absence or disability of a director. Such acting director shall have the powers of the director, provisions in the general laws to the contrary notwithstanding.
MA Gen L ch 21 § 3e (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 21 - Department of Environmental Management|Section 3e - Open Space Land Acquisition; Loans to Cities and Towns

Section 3E. The department shall administer a program of zero interest loans to cities and towns for the acquisition of open space land utilizing monies in the Open Space Acquisition Revolving Fund established under section 2HHH of chapter 29. The department shall accept applications from cities and towns, in a form to be determined by the department, for loans to allow cities or towns to acquire open space land. The loans shall be repayable to the Open Space Acquisition Revolving Fund in 20 annual installments. The department shall set standards and adopt rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this section.