MA S52

Establishes a 20-member Massachusetts Food Policy Council with 4 legislative members (including 2 appointed by minority leaders), 9 state agency commissioners/directors or designees, and 7 gubernatorial appointees representing farmers, food distribution, direct marketing, local health departments, food safety, food processing, and community nutrition efforts

Adds new council positions including the Commissioner of Transitional Assistance, Director of Marine Fisheries, an expert in healthy soils practices (appointed by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs), and the Director of UMass Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment

Authorizes compensation for advisory committee members at a rate set by the council and approved by the Department of Agricultural Resources' chief financial officer

Requires advisory committee members to submit compensation requests within 30 days of expenses being incurred or risk ineligibility for payment

Amends Section 6C of Chapter 20 of the General Laws, as previously amended by Chapter 7 of the Acts of 2023