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Senate Agriculture chair says S.323 advancing; hemp supports, solar siting remain under review
Summary
Chair told the committee S.323 aims to protect farmers—particularly from municipal zoning after a Supreme Court ruling—and that the committee is also drafting hemp protections and examining solar siting on prime agricultural land; additional testimony and votes were anticipated before crossover.
Chair (speaker 1) opened the March 10 session by summarizing legislative items the committee is shepherding. He said the "crown jewel" of S.323 is a provision intended to protect farmers from municipal zoning that followed a recent Supreme Court decision, and that the committee has coordinated with the Boston regional council and the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets on the bill.
The chair also outlined draft provisions to encourage hemp cultivation while coordinating post-harvest regulation with the Cannabis Control Board, saying the committee does not intend to be adversarial and wants farmers protected during production and in tax treatment.
On solar siting, the chair said the committee has received pushback about solar projects sited on prime agricultural land and planned further testimony. He emphasized the committee supports renewable energy broadly but is concerned about permanent loss of farmland and wants to balance land-use decisions.
No formal motions or votes on S.323 were recorded at the hearing; the chair said the committee aimed to advance as much as possible before crossover and would continue work the following week.
