House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North
Reading) has appointed State Representative Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr.
(R-Spencer) to a conference committee that will attempt to reconcile the
differences between two environmental bond bills recently passed by the House
and Senate.
The House bond bill, which was approved on June 13, includes
nearly $3 billion in capital authorizations to support a variety of local and
statewide environmental initiatives. The
Senate engrossed its own version of the bill – An Act promoting climate change
adaptation, environmental and natural resource protection, and investment in
recreational assets and opportunity – on July 12.
“Representative Berthiaume is well-versed on environmental
policy, having served as a member of the Joint Committee on Environment,
Natural Resources and Agriculture,” said Representative Jones. “His experience will be an asset to the
conference committee as it works to negotiate a compromise bill.”
A Navy veteran and former Spencer selectman, Representative Berthiaume
also serves as a member of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs,
and the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Joining him on the conference committee are Representatives David Nangle
(D-Lowell) and William “Smitty” Pignatelli (D-Lenox), along with Senators
William Brownsberger (D-Belmont), Anne Gobi and Donald Humason (R-Westfield).
The conference committee will attempt to reach an agreement on
compromise language before formal legislative sessions end on July 31.
Representative Berthiaume was first elected to the House of
Representatives in November of 2014. He represents
the 5th Worcester District, which is comprised of 11 communities, including
Barre; Brookfield; East Brookfield; Hardwick; Hubbardston; New Braintree; North
Brookfield; Oakham; West Brookfield; and portions of Spencer and Ware.
