Transportation

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 ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates commission to study transit improvements (Red Line extension/BRT), advancing Arlington-Lexington transportation options per bill title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit

Track

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 ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables I-93 off-ramp reconstruction via land transfer, directly improving highway infrastructure and transportation flow.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

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 ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStrengthens transportation accessibility by penalizing discrimination against disabled riders with service animals in ride-sharing services, enhancing safety and inclusion in transportation networks.95% confidence

Track

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 ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates fare-free bus pilot program, expanding public transit access and promoting sustainable transportation use through free service on MBTA/RTA routes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

Track

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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands protections for transit workers by defining assault with bodily substances as more severe offense, strengthening criminal justice enforcement.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands legal protections for transit workers against assault, directly enhancing workplace safety standards for a specific labor group.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands legal protections for transit workers, directly enhancing safety in public transportation systems per bill's focus on assault/battery definitions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Public Transit

Track

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 ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill ensures equal access to roadways under transportation jurisdiction, promoting equitable transportation access and infrastructure usability.85% confidence

Track

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 ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes primary seat belt law, enhancing vehicle safety regulations under transportation policy per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2630: An Act relative to primary enforcement of seatbelt violations

By Representative Hawkins of Attleboro, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2630) of James K. Hawkins relative to primary enforcement of seatbelt violations. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates primary enforcement of seatbelt use, directly enhancing vehicle safety standards within transportation regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 17, 2025

H 1: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements

H 1 is a state budget bill that allocates funding for Massachusetts government operations during fiscal year 2026. It provides money for state departments, boards, commissions, and specific programs like anti-trafficking task forces, school violence prevention, victim compensation, and infrastructure projects (including wildfire defense and highway safety). The bill includes requirements for reporting fund distribution and ensures existing services continue without interruption. This appropriation does not create new policies but authorizes spending for current state activities and programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates funds for state departments, programs, and infrastructure, ensuring continued public services without defunding or tax changes.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds highway safety infrastructure, a core transportation component, within allocated infrastructure projects under state budget appropriations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2326: An Act to update vehicle emissions standards

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2326) of John C. Velis, Adam Gomez and Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to certain exemptions to the vehicle emissions standards. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill seeks exemptions to vehicle emissions standards, weakening environmental regulations by allowing non-compliance with pollution controls.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill updates vehicle emissions standards to promote cleaner transportation, aligning with sustainable transport goals under vehicle regulations.90% confidence

Track