The 194th General Court of Massachusetts 2025 - 2026
Legislation to focus on this session is Senate Bill 634 "An Act Conserving our Natural Resources". HEARING DATE SET! SEE BELOW for how to provide testimony
Promoting Science Based Wildlife Management Decisions for a Better Massachusetts
"An act conserving our natural resources”, Senate Bill S.634 modernizes the existing 29 year old Massachusetts trapping law Chapter 131, Section 80a. The current trapping law has remained practically unchanged since the successful 1996 Question One Ballot referendum became law. In 2000, additional layers to the permitting process were passed in an attempt to alleviate rampant beaver conflicts by the legislature. This allowed for use; effective “Conibear” style traps for beaver, when severe health or safety situations existed, but only after all other “non-lethal” options were exhausted, costing both time and money.
Trends in both beaver and coyote conflicts remain high today.
SENATE BILL 643 - An act conserving our natural resources WILL:
The current law requires direct oversight of trapping methods by DHS, in respect to health and safety. This will not change. If a wild animal is threatening or causing harm to human health or safety, the DHS and the appropriate local board of health remain the lead department and point of contact in these matters. Local “Boards of Health” remain “gatekeepers” in determining what constitutes a legitimate threat by an animal or their actions.
There are two new live restraint devices available today that did not exist or were only in early development 29 years ago (after the current law took affect). These new devices are the “non-lethal cable restraint” and “foot encapsulation device”. Non-lethal cable restraints are extremely effective for capturing weary coyotes or fox quickly and safely, with no severe injury to the animal according to extensive studies completed (2002 International Association of Fisheries and Wildlife IAFWA study). These restraints are proven to be equally safe to people and pets. “Foot encapsulation devices” are species specific (raccoon, skunk, opossum) and have an equally high ranking in animal welfare and safety to both pets and people (Humane raccoon trap studied under AVMF grant – AVMA Journal Vol. 207, number 6). Language in this bill will allow for the proactive use (by trained and licensed individuals) of this device during the established regulated trapping season under regulations promulgated by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Currently the Conibear® style trap is legally used in Massachusetts for beaver or muskrat only under reactive, extreme conditions where imminent threats to human health and safety have been determined. Language in this bill will allow for the proactive use (by trained and licensed individuals) of this device during the established trapping season under regulations promulgated by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Currently there is not documentation of animals taken under an issued health or safety trapping permit. Unfortunately, this has resulted in a severe loss of information that would help our Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to better manage our wildlife. Under current law, wildlife taken during the regulated trapping season requires a “pelt tag or seal”, which is used to better assess existing populations of the species taken. Animals taken under health and safety permits outside the established regulated trapping season are not documented. Language in this bill will remedy this. It also provides additional state oversight in trapping health and safety permit requests, when local board of health permit trapping denials or slow response time is an issue.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Hearing Room A-1
S634 | An Act conserving our natural resources |
The public is invited to participate in this hybrid hearing, which will be livestreamed on the General Court website, https://malegislature.gov/. Hearings will be recorded and posted publicly on the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources’ page https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/J21/Hearings.
At the discretion of the Chairs and per committee rules, written testimony received by the committee will be made publicly available. The committee may limit availability or redact testimony that includes sensitive personal information, information about minors, or information that may jeopardize the health, wellness or safety of the testifier or others.
Written testimony can be submitted via email at jointcommittee.environment@malegislature.gov or physically mailed to the House Chair:
Chair Christine Barber
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
ATTN: Jacob Newman
24 Beacon St. Room 167
Boston, MA 02133
In-person oral and remote testimony sign-up is available via this form until 10:00AM on Monday, October 20, 2025. Email Jacob Newman at Jacob.Newman@mahouse.gov with any questions or concerns. Written testimony should be submitted not later than two (2) weeks following the hearing date.
For in-person and remote testimony please include:
1. Name;
2. Organization you represent;
3. Whether on behalf of yourself or an organization;
4. Mailing address;
5. Email address;
6. Telephone number;
7. In-person or remote testimony;
8. Bills testifying on;
9. Whether support or oppose.
For those testifying remotely, you will receive a Microsoft Teams link with more information prior to the start of the hearing.
This hearing will be chaired by House Chair Christine Barber. If you have any questions regarding the hearing, legislation, format of the hearing or reasonable accommodations required to ensure people with disabilities can participate fully in the committee process, please email: Jacob Newman with Chair Barber, at Jacob.Newman@mahouse.gov and Clayton Spivey with Chair Rausch, at Clayton.Spivey@masenate.gov. House Chair Barber’s office can be reached via telephone: (617) 722-2230.