Transportation in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2657: An Act relative to excavation restoration on public ways

This bill requires anyone excavating public roads, sidewalks, or curbs (with a permit) to fully restore the surface to its original condition or better at their own expense. They must use the same materials and match existing markings like crosswalks and bike lanes, following Department of Public Utilities rules. The excavator remains responsible for any damage to the restored surface for one year after work is completed. This directly affects utility companies, contractors, and other entities performing underground work on public rights-of-way.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2613: An Act relative to The Ride service of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

This bill (HD 2613) requires the MBTA's The Ride service to provide transportation to Boston for medical appointments for residents living within 25 miles of Boston. It directly affects low-income or medically-needing residents in that geographic area who rely on The Ride for healthcare access. The key provision mandates the MBTA to offer this service, with the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Board responsible for reimbursing the MBTA's costs. The bill establishes a clear funding mechanism to ensure the service remains available without direct MBTA expense.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Insurance

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2732: An Act relative to unpaved roads

HD 2732 directs Massachusetts' transportation and environmental agencies to create a working group focused on dirt and gravel roads (unpaved) and low-volume paved roads. The group must analyze maintenance costs, climate impacts, and funding gaps for municipalities where unpaved roads exceed 20% of county road mileage, and identify best practices. Key tasks include building a road database, assessing costs over five years, and researching potential standards. The working group must submit findings to state legislators by June 30, 2026, to inform future policy. This bill affects local governments managing these road types but does not create new funding or regulations.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2866: An Act relative to accurate impairment testing

This bill prevents license suspensions or other penalties for drivers who refuse a chemical test that hasn't been scientifically proven to measure impairment affecting safe driving. It directly affects drivers who decline roadside testing, ensuring sanctions only apply to tests meeting a scientific standard. The key provision amends existing law to require that any test used for impairment determination must be validated to indicate actual inability to drive safely. This change focuses on the validity of the testing method, not the driver's behavior or results.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1560: An Act establishing a virtual classroom option for driver's education

SD 1560 would allow driver's education courses to be delivered virtually, including self-paced online courses, as an option for meeting the required 30 hours of classroom instruction. The bill amends two sections of the law to explicitly include "virtual, including self-paced online courses" as acceptable methods for fulfilling both the classroom hour requirement and course completion. This change directly affects students seeking driver's education and the driving schools offering these programs by expanding delivery options. The legislation does not reduce the required instructional hours but adds virtual learning as a permitted format. It aims to provide more flexible access to driver's education without altering core requirements.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3208: An Act spurring intelligent development on MBTA property

HD 3208 creates a tax credit for taxpayers developing air rights above MBTA parking areas, allowing them to reduce state taxes by up to $50 million annually for qualifying projects. It directly affects developers and property owners working with the MBTA on such developments. The bill also establishes the MBTA Capital Projects Fund, requiring all revenue from air rights leases on MBTA property to be deposited into this fund for use on MBTA capital projects. Funds in the account can be carried forward for future projects, with annual reporting to legislative committees.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3225: An Act expanding truck safety requirements

HD 3225 requires large trucks (class 3 or above, over 10,000 pounds gross weight) operated by municipalities, Commonwealth agencies, electric companies, gas companies, utilities, and wireless providers to install lateral protective devices, convex mirrors, crossover mirrors, and backup cameras by January 1, 2028. The bill mandates these safety upgrades for vehicles leased, purchased, or operated under contract with the specified entities. The registrar of motor vehicles will establish standards based on federal guidelines, with exemptions for ambulances, firefighting vehicles, agricultural tractors, and low-speed vehicles. This law directly affects commercial fleets serving public and utility sectors, aiming to improve road safety through standardized equipment.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1726: An Act relative to equity in tolling

This bill (SD 1726) amends state law to expand the Massachusetts tolling authority by explicitly authorizing the collection of tolls on specific interstate and state highways at the Massachusetts border. It adds 12 designated routes - including I-90, I-95, Route 3, Route 7, and others - where tolls may be charged for transit across state lines. The bill directly affects drivers using these border crossings, as it formalizes the state's existing ability to collect tolls on those routes. It does not change toll rates or create new fees, but rather clarifies the legal authority for current toll collection practices.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1988: An Act to review the municipal Chapter 90 transportation funding program

This bill creates a nine-member "Chapter 90 Commission" to review Massachusetts' municipal transportation funding program, which reimburses towns for road and pedestrian infrastructure projects. The commission, including representatives from municipal associations, regional planning groups, and the Highway Association, plus Governor-appointed members, will assess if the current funding formula effectively and fairly supports road maintenance across communities of varying size, geography, and financial capacity. It must evaluate whether the formula allows infrastructure to be maintained in good repair and consider regional and socioeconomic factors. The commission will submit a report with recommendations to adjust the formula within one year of the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Transportation Funding

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1987: An Act relative to an interstate compact for western MA rail service

This bill authorizes Massachusetts to form an interstate compact with Connecticut, New York, and Vermont to establish permanent commuter rail service in Western Massachusetts. It specifically directs the development of two key routes: one connecting New Haven to Brattleboro (with stops in Greenfield, Holyoke, Northampton, and Springfield) and another linking Worcester to Albany (with stops in Pittsfield, Chester, Springfield, and Palmer). The compact also aims to extend the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program through the Knowledge Corridor and promote rail connections across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties to major cities like Albany, Boston, Hartford, and New Haven. The bill requires participating states to cooperate on public policy development and jointly ensure the success of these rail services.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

All transportation bills