Transportation in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3500: An Act relative to the Cobble Mountain Reservoir in the towns of Blandford, Granville, and Russell

This bill requires the state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to open Cobble Mountain Road (adjacent to Cobble Mountain Reservoir) for public recreational use in Blandford, Granville, and Russell. The road must remain open daily from sunrise to sunset for pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians, with no restrictions on these activities during those hours. The division must also install visible signage at two specific intersections in Blandford and Granville to indicate permitted uses and any restrictions. This change directly affects residents and visitors in those towns who use the reservoir area for outdoor recreation.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2007: An Act relative to improved headlight safety

SD 2007 requires all new automobiles sold in Massachusetts after January 1, 2028, to be equipped with adaptive beam headlight technology. This bill directly affects automobile manufacturers and dealers selling new vehicles within the Commonwealth. The key provision mandates compliance with a federally approved standard (amended Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108) for adaptive headlights, as authorized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The law adopts an existing federal safety requirement rather than creating new standards.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4126: An Act relative to motor vehicle inspections

This bill requires the state motor vehicle office to automatically suspend a vehicle's registration if its inspection sticker has been expired for more than 60 days. It directly affects vehicle owners who fail to get their inspections renewed within that timeframe. The key mechanism is an immediate suspension triggered by the 60-day expiration threshold, replacing previous manual processing for this violation. Vehicle registration remains suspended until the vehicle passes a new inspection.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Vehicle Registration

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2817: An Act relative to increased transportation options for Arlington and Lexington

This bill creates a 10-member commission to study options for improving transit between Arlington and Lexington. The commission will evaluate extending the MBTA Red Line or creating a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line along Route 2, assessing financial feasibility and department capabilities. The commission must submit its recommendations to the Joint Committee on Transportation within 12 months of the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3346: An Act authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to convey a certain parcel of land in the town of Stoneham

This bill allows Massachusetts' Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to transfer a specific 12,500-square-foot parcel of land in Stoneham to Wakefield Investments, Inc. The land, taken for highway use in 1958 and currently landlocked to a property at 100 Maple Street, will be used to reconstruct an I-93 off-ramp to Montvale Avenue and Maple Street. The transfer must occur at full market value, as determined by MassDOT and agreed upon by Wakefield Investments, and the company will cover all related costs including surveys, appraisals, and deed preparation. The bill directly affects MassDOT (as the landowner), Wakefield Investments (as the recipient), and the Stoneham property owner at 100 Maple Street.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 632: An Act to impose fines on transportation network drivers who discriminate against riders with disabilities who use service animals

This bill (HD 632) adds penalties for transportation network drivers (like Uber or Lyft drivers) who refuse service to riders with disabilities using service animals. It creates a tiered fine system: $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second, and $1,000 for a third violation. The law amends existing rules to require drivers to comply with anti-discrimination protections for service animal users and imposes these specific monetary penalties. It directly affects drivers in app-based ride services who discriminate against riders with disabilities.

Topics ✓ Transportation

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 631: An Act relative to fare free buses

HD 631 creates a 1-year pilot program for fare-free bus service on all MBTA bus routes and Regional Transit Authority (RTA) routes in Massachusetts, effective by December 31, 2026. The bill requires MBTA to include at least 10 priority routes (including specific connections to rail stations and high-ridership routes from 2020) and RTAs to include at least one high-ridership route. It establishes advisory groups for both programs with diverse members (including transit staff, disability advocates, environmental justice representatives, and community voices) to track impacts on ridership, equity, system efficiency, and costs. The groups must report findings quarterly to oversight boards and submit a final report after the pilot concludes.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2682: An Act relative to assault and battery upon a transit worker

This bill (HD 2682) amends Massachusetts law to expand protections for transit workers against assault and battery. It explicitly adds "public transit worker" to the list of protected employees under Section 13D of Chapter 265, and defines "assault and battery" to include attacks using bodily substances like blood, saliva, or urine. The law now treats such assaults as more severe offenses, with specific legal definitions clarifying what constitutes a "bodily substance." This directly affects transit workers by making assaults against them a distinct criminal violation under state law. The changes provide clearer legal grounds for prosecuting attacks on transit staff using bodily substances.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Public Transit

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1942: An Act providing for equal access to certain roadways under the jurisdiction of the department of conservation and recreation

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2108) of Nick Collins for legislation to provide for equal access to certain roadways under the jurisdiction of the department of conservation and recreation on the Columbia Point peninsula located between William T. Morrissey Boulevard, William J. Day Boulevard and Dorchester Bay. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2064: An Act establishing a primary seat belt law

By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1699) of Paul R. Feeney and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish a primary seat belt law. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

All transportation bills