Transportation

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1211: An Act to establish a monthly payment plan and protect motorists from excessive EZ-Pass fees and fines

SD 1211 establishes a monthly payment plan for Massachusetts motorists with $250 or more in unpaid tolls, fines, or fees through the E-ZPass MA or Pay By Plate systems. It requires the Department of Transportation to contact account holders with over $100 in debt monthly and prohibits additional fines while a payment plan is active. The bill also prevents the Registry of Motor Vehicles from suspending licenses or registrations for participants in the plan who make at least one $25 minimum payment and remain current. Motorists who fall more than 30 days behind on payments risk losing their conditional license reinstatement. This bill directly affects drivers with significant toll debt under the state's electronic toll collection systems.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill protects motorists from excessive toll fees and license suspensions, ensuring fair access to transportation infrastructure through payment plan safeguards.85% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3058: An Act establishing parking cash-out

HD 3058 requires employers with 10 or more employees to offer a "parking cash-out" program instead of providing free or subsidized parking. Under this law, employees who choose not to use employer-provided parking can receive equivalent financial benefits - such as transit subsidies, cash, or a mix - equal to the current market cost of parking. Employers must calculate this cost based on nearby public parking rates or, if unavailable, the lowest-priced transit option within a quarter-mile, adjusting annually using the Consumer Price Index. The bill directly affects employers (excluding those with union contracts requiring parking or vehicle-reimbursed roles) and their employees who currently receive parking benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides employees with financial alternatives to employer parking, expanding commuting benefits and reducing costs, aligning with worker benefit protections.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires employers to offer transit subsidies instead of free parking, directly promoting public transit use and sustainable transportation alternatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1799: An Act relative to class 3 electric bicycles

This bill defines "Class 3 electric bicycles" as those with pedal-assist only and a 28 mph speed limit, while updating the overall definition of "electric bicycle" to include all classes. It changes trail regulations to allow municipalities to create local rules (including speed limits) for e-bike use on natural-surface trails after public notice and hearings, replacing a previous automatic ban. The bill directly affects e-bike riders (especially Class 3 users), local governments managing trails, and trail users by shifting regulation authority to municipalities. These changes clarify e-bike classifications and give communities flexibility to manage trail access.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationUpdates e-bike regulations to allow municipal trail rules, promoting sustainable transportation adoption by removing automatic bans and defining Class 3 e-bikes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1780: An Act relative to roadway safety

This bill requires drivers in Massachusetts to remove ice or snow from their vehicles - including the hood, trunk, and roof - within 24 hours after snow or ice stops falling. It directly affects all drivers, including commercial vehicle operators, but includes exceptions for those en route to clear snow or if compliance would violate safety laws. Police may stop vehicles if ice/snow poses an immediate threat to people or property. Violations carry standard traffic fines under existing Chapter 85, Section 36 penalties. The law focuses on preventing hazards from ice/snow accumulation during winter weather.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires ice/snow removal from vehicles to prevent road hazards, directly enhancing roadway safety standards under transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4571: An Act authorizing the town of Brookline to adopt green zoning by-laws and regulations

This bill allows the town of Brookline to create its own zoning rules focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in buildings. It directly affects Brookline residents, property owners, and developers by enabling local regulations on building materials, solar systems, heating/cooling equipment, and utility connections (like electric vehicle charging). Key provisions protect these local rules from being blocked by the state Attorney General, covering areas like emissions from construction, building energy use, and renewable energy infrastructure. The bill specifically authorizes Brookline to implement measures addressing climate impacts through zoning, without conflicting with state building codes or utility regulations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables Brookline to adopt zoning for GHG reduction, energy efficiency, solar systems, and EV infrastructure, directly advancing renewable energy and efficiency standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly authorizes green zoning to reduce emissions and improve building energy efficiency, directly advancing climate protection and pollution control.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables local EV charging infrastructure via zoning rules, directly supporting sustainable transportation infrastructure development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Efficiency Solar Climate Change Electric Vehicles

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1845: An Act providing for the ownership and maintenance of the Town Line Brook and Linden Brook culverts and dams

HD 1845 assigns responsibility for maintaining specific water control structures in Revere. The Department of Conservation and Recreation will maintain flood gates and tide gates controlling Town Line and Linden brooks, while the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will maintain the Cutler Highway Bridge and its associated 8 box culverts and trash racks. Both agencies must conduct biannual inspections and report results to Revere, Malden, and Everett officials within 90 days. Costs for maintenance, repairs, and inspections will be covered by the respective state agency managing each structure.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAssigns MassDOT to maintain highway bridge and culverts, ensuring transportation infrastructure upkeep per bill's explicit maintenance responsibilities95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3276: An Act relative to high speed chases

This bill (HD 3276) makes it a crime to ignore a police officer's stop signal and then drive more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit for at least one mile. It directly affects drivers who flee police during high-speed pursuits. The law imposes penalties including fines up to $1,000, up to 2.5 years in jail or a house of correction, or up to 5 years in state prison. The key provision defines the specific speed threshold (20 mph over limit) and distance (one mile) that trigger these penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes high-speed fleeing with enhanced penalties, expanding enforcement powers and increasing penalties - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances road safety by criminalizing dangerous high-speed pursuits, directly strengthening vehicle regulation policies under transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 162: An Act restoring the harbors and inland waters maintenance fund

This bill creates the Harbors and Inland Waters Maintenance Fund to support ongoing harbor and waterway upkeep in Massachusetts. It directs 0.05% of aviation fuel excise tax revenue (after reimbursements) into this fund, which will finance specific activities managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Key uses include continuous dredging, cleaning harbors/inland waters, removing sunken vessels and derelict piers, and maintaining state piers. The fund replaces a previously defunded account and ensures dedicated resources for navigation safety and waterway maintenance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects aviation fuel tax revenue to fund harbor maintenance, restoring previously defunded program. Aligns with funding essential public services through fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates funds for harbor/waterway cleaning, dredging, and removing pollution sources, directly protecting aquatic ecosystems and reducing pollution per its stated purpose.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates dedicated fund for harbor/waterway maintenance (transportation infrastructure) using tax revenue, directly funding upkeep of state piers and waterways per DCR management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Airports Ports

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2683: An Act relative to mopeds and scooters operating on public ways

This bill updates Massachusetts law to clarify definitions and requirements for mopeds and motorized scooters. It defines "moped" as a pedal or non-pedal bike with a 50cc engine, automatic transmission, and 15-30 mph speed limit, and "motorized scooter" as a 2-3 wheeled device (excluding motorcycles) capable of exceeding 15 mph. The law requires registration, $1,000 minimum insurance, and license plates for these vehicles, and adds liability rules for operators who cause accidents without stopping to identify themselves. These changes directly affect moped and scooter owners and operators using public roads or accessible areas.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies moped/scooter regulations with insurance, registration, and liability rules to enhance road safety for non-motorized vehicles operating on public ways.85% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2121: An Act relative to increasing the fines and penalties for texting and driving

This bill (HD 2121) increases penalties for texting while driving in Massachusetts. It clarifies that a vehicle is considered "operating" if stopped in traffic (not just moving), and raises fines to $250 for a first offense (with a 90-day license suspension), $500 for a second offense, and $750 for third or subsequent offenses. It also links texting violations to driver's license records and insurance programs under existing laws. The changes directly affect drivers convicted of texting while operating a vehicle, including in stopped traffic.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by increasing penalties for texting while driving, directly addressing distracted driving risks on roads.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

Track