Transportation

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 76: An Act establishing school zones for locomotives

This bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to establish designated school zones around schools where trains must operate at 20 mph or slower. It requires municipalities to notify railroads and install standardized signs meeting state highway guidelines before the speed limit takes effect. Railroads, including the MBTA, must enforce the 20 mph limit within these zones. The bill directly affects local governments (which pay for signs) and railroad operators (which must comply with the speed restriction). It creates a concrete, enforceable speed limit for trains near schools without altering existing railroad operations outside designated zones.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates 20 mph speed limits for trains in school zones, enhancing transportation safety near schools per bill's enforcement requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 156: An Act establishing senior citizen toll discount on the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Ted Williams Tunnel and the Tobin Bridge

This bill establishes a 25% toll discount for Massachusetts drivers aged 65 and older on the Massachusetts Turnpike, Tobin Bridge, and Ted Williams Tunnel. To qualify, drivers must have a valid Massachusetts driver's license, own or rent a passenger vehicle, and apply for the discount (with no fee required). The discount applies to only one vehicle and expires 60 days after the license expires, requiring renewal with a new license. Violations, such as allowing unauthorized drivers to use the discount, incur fines up to $150 per offense, with permanent revocation after three violations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes senior toll discount on state transportation infrastructure, improving accessibility and affordability for eligible users, aligning with transportation accessibility support.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Driver Licensing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 265: An Act to exempt municipalities from the gas tax

This bill exempts municipalities from paying the gas tax on fuel they purchase for their operations. It amends the tax code to exclude sales of fuel (like gasoline and diesel) from distributors to municipalities from the existing per-gallon tax. The key mechanism is a specific tax exemption for fuel sold directly to municipal entities, meaning local governments will no longer pay this tax on fuel used for municipal purposes. This directly affects all municipalities in the state that buy fuel for vehicles, equipment, or other municipal operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts municipalities from gas tax, reducing operational costs and providing tax relief, aligning with fiscal responsibility in budget management.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExempts municipalities from gas tax on operational fuel, reducing costs for transportation infrastructure maintenance and operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Transportation Funding

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 541: An Act relative to an interstate compact for western MA rail service

HD 541 authorizes Massachusetts' transportation secretary to negotiate an interstate compact with Connecticut, New York, and Vermont to establish permanent commuter rail service in Western Massachusetts. The bill specifically targets routes connecting New Haven to Brattleboro (via Greenfield, Holyoke, Northampton, Springfield) and Worcester to Albany (via Pittsfield, Chester, Springfield, Palmer). It also directs efforts to extend existing rail programs and promote connections between Western MA counties and major cities like Albany, Boston, Brattleboro, Hartford, and New Haven. The compact would create a formal framework for cooperation among the participating states to develop and sustain these rail services.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill authorizes permanent commuter rail service expansion between states, directly advancing public transit infrastructure through interstate coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 641: An Act relative to the Move Over Law

HD 641 amends Massachusetts' Move Over Law to require drivers to change lanes when passing certain vehicles. It adds "utility vehicle" (used for emergency repairs of power, gas, or communications) and "disabled vehicle" (abandoned or inoperable) to the list of vehicles drivers must move over for. This directly affects all drivers on roads, requiring them to adjust lanes for utility workers' vehicles and stranded cars, in addition to existing maintenance vehicles. The bill updates the legal definitions within the law to expand protections for these specific vehicle types during road operations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends Move Over Law to require lane changes for utility/disabled vehicles, enhancing road safety for workers and stranded motorists.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 605: An Act promoting fare equity

This bill (SD 605) reclassifies all Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail stations located within Boston as Zone 1A. It directly affects Boston commuters who use the MBTA commuter rail system, simplifying their fare structure by placing all city stations in a single zone. The key provision requires the MBTA to implement this zone designation to promote fare equity for Boston residents. The change aims to reduce fare complexity for those traveling within the city limits, without altering overall fare rates.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationReclassifies MBTA commuter rail stations to simplify fares and promote equitable access to public transit, directly advancing transportation infrastructure accessibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1150: An Act establishing a special commission on public waterway transportation

This bill establishes a 9-member commission to study expanding public waterway transportation in the greater Boston area. The commission includes one department representative and eight governor-appointed members, with specific residency requirements for representatives from Boston, Quincy, Weymouth, Lynn, Revere, Winthrop, Hingham, and Hull. The commission must hold public hearings and submit annual reports by June 30 to the governor and the Joint Committee on Transportation, including feasibility findings and draft legislation for any recommended changes. The bill itself creates the commission structure and reporting process but does not enact policy changes.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes commission to study expanding public waterway transportation, a form of public transit infrastructure, directly advancing transportation options in the Boston area.92% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 659: An Act electrifying Regional Transit Authorities

This bill requires Massachusetts regional transit authorities to transition their bus fleets to electric vehicles by 2035, with specific procurement targets: 40% of new buses must be electric by 2028, 60% by 2030, and 80% by 2032. Authorities must prioritize electric buses on routes serving environmental justice communities (as defined in state law) and conduct community outreach with residents, municipal officials, and advocates in these areas. The bill establishes a new state office within the Department of Transportation by 2026 to support planning, procurement, and worker retraining for the transition, while mandating annual reports on progress and reasons for any continued use of fossil fuel vehicles.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates electric bus transition by 2035, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing renewable energy infrastructure in transit.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates electric bus transition by 2035 with emission-reducing targets, directly advancing clean transportation and pollution control per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates transition to electric buses in transit fleets by 2035, prioritizing environmental justice routes, advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Environmental Justice Electric Vehicles Public Transit

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1152: An Act relative to interstate highway noise abatement in certain cities and towns

This bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to conduct a noise study along interstate highways in Bedford, Burlington, and Woburn. The study, to be performed by an acoustical engineer, will measure traffic noise levels and assess impacts on nearby areas, then recommend abatement methods like noise barriers. Results must be submitted to state legislative committees by June 1, 2026. The study directly affects residents in those communities who experience highway noise. It mandates a specific assessment without implementing new policies.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires noise study and abatement recommendations for highways, addressing infrastructure impacts on residents, aligning with improving transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1149: An Act relative to roadway damage

This bill requires state officials to report certain roadway accident damage to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT). Specifically, it mandates that the registrar issue a report within 30 days when an accident results in a fatality, injury, or damage exceeding $1,000 to a vehicle or property. The report must detail public roadway damage caused by such incidents. This creates a new administrative requirement for state officials to document and share this information with the DOT.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates reporting of roadway damage to DOT, enabling data-driven infrastructure safety improvements and maintenance planning.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track