Transportation

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2169: An Act relative to the building or rebuilding of bridges on land that falls under the jurisdiction of more than one municipality

HD 2169 requires municipalities involved in building or rebuilding bridges across jurisdictional boundaries to first create a formal inter-municipal agreement. This agreement must address buffer zones, evaluate alternatives, assess costs/benefits and environmental impacts, coordinate infrastructure needs, and establish cooperative planning procedures. The agreement must detail cost-sharing, termination rules, communication channels, and dispute resolution before municipalities can seek state legislative approval. Once approved by both local governments and the state legislature, the agreement becomes binding, allowing construction to proceed. This bill directly affects towns and cities planning bridge projects spanning multiple municipal borders.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires inter-municipal agreements for bridge construction, facilitating infrastructure development and coordination under transportation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1640: An Act to rehabilitate regional roadways

This bill (HD 1640) is a technical amendment to an existing law (Section 50 of Chapter 6C of the General Laws) that governs roadway funding. It adds a specific provision allowing state funds to be used for "rehabilitation and improvement of corridors on which regional economic activity generates significant truck traffic." The bill does not create new funding or programs; it simply updates the legal language to explicitly include this type of roadway project under eligible uses of existing funds. This is a procedural change affecting how current roadway funds may be allocated, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnables existing state funds for rehabilitating truck traffic corridors, advancing road infrastructure maintenance without new funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Roads & Highways

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1665: An Act to adjust the airplane fuel taxes to support mode shift

This bill draft (HD 1665) appears to be a work-in-progress with no substantive text provided in the context. The title suggests it would adjust airplane fuel taxes to encourage a shift toward alternative transportation modes, but no specific mechanisms, affected parties, or policy details are included in the available information. Without the full bill text or summary, a factual description of its provisions cannot be provided. The "DRAFT" notation indicates it has not been finalized for consideration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill adjusts airplane fuel taxes to encourage mode shift toward alternatives, typically reducing transportation emissions and pollution. Title explicitly links tax adjustment to environmental-friendly transportation shift.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill title explicitly aims to support 'mode shift' via airplane fuel tax adjustments, promoting alternative transportation modes as a sustainable transit strategy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2039: An Act establishing a transportation contribution from large employers

This bill would require large Massachusetts employers with 50+ employees to pay a new tax based on their workforce size. Employers with 50-99 workers would pay about $25 per employee annually, while those with 1,000+ employees would pay about $150 per employee. The total tax revenue would be capped at $230 million in 2026 (adjusted for inflation yearly), with funds distributed across employer size tiers. It directly affects large employers operating in Massachusetts with significant in-state workforces.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new employer tax generating $230M+ revenue for state budget, directly advancing fiscal management through new tax revenue allocation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill imposes employer tax to fund transportation infrastructure, directly aligning with funding indicators per title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2229: An Act establishing a microtransit fund

This bill creates a dedicated fund to support microtransit services in Massachusetts rural areas without frequent bus service (defined as locations outside urbanized areas per federal standards). The fund, financed by 3% of annual transportation revenues ("fair share funds"), private contributions, and federal grants, will expand flexible, technology-driven shared transportation options. It specifically targets improving first-mile/last-mile access in underserved communities, promoting electric vehicle adoption, and supporting existing programs like the South County Connector. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will administer the fund and track outcomes including a 30% increase in transit access within five years.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes electric microtransit services, directly supporting clean energy infrastructure investment in transportation.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates dedicated fund (3% transport revenues) for rural microtransit, expanding public transit access and promoting electric options in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Public Transit Transportation Funding

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2373: An Act to improve pedestrian safety

HD 2373 requires municipalities to adjust traffic signal timing at crosswalks where slower-moving pedestrians - such as those using mobility aids, walking with others, or older adults - frequently cross. It mandates that cities create lists of these high-traffic locations and extend pedestrian crossing times to safely accommodate slower walking speeds. The Department of Highways must issue implementing regulations by January 2026, with municipalities required to comply by January 2027. This bill directly affects pedestrians with mobility challenges and local governments managing traffic signals.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires extended pedestrian crossing times at crosswalks to enhance safety, directly advancing transportation infrastructure standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2311: An Act to establish a clean fuel standard

HD 2311 establishes a standard requiring transportation fuel providers (such as refiners, blenders, and retailers) to reduce the carbon emissions of transportation fuels by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050. It creates a credit system where providers using low-carbon fuels earn tradable credits to offset higher-emission fuels, measured across the full fuel lifecycle. The law also requires public entities earning credits to invest a portion in clean energy and accessible transportation projects for disadvantaged communities. The standard excludes aviation, rail, military, and waterborne fuels due to federal preemption.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 80% carbon reduction in transportation fuels by 2050, creates credit system for low-carbon fuels, and requires investment in clean energy projects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes 80% carbon reduction target for fuels by 2050 with credit system and clean energy investments, directly advancing climate protection and pollution control.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates 80% emissions reduction in transportation fuels by 2050 and requires investments in accessible transportation projects, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Climate Change Airports Electric Vehicles Rail

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1254: An Act relative to a just transition to clean energy

This bill establishes a clean fuel standard requiring transportation fuel providers to reduce the carbon intensity of their fuels by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050. It creates a credit-trading system where providers using low-carbon fuels (like electricity or sustainable aviation fuel) earn credits, while those exceeding the annual carbon intensity standard must purchase credits or face deficits. The Department of Energy Resources will set yearly standards based on full lifecycle emissions, with exceptions for aviation, rail, military, and small-volume fuel providers (though aviation can opt in). Crucially, public entities like utilities generating credits must invest a portion of their credit value into clean energy and accessible transportation projects in disadvantaged communities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes 80% carbon intensity reduction target by 2050 with credit system for low-carbon fuels, directly advancing clean energy transition and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 80% reduction in fuel carbon intensity by 2050 with credit system for low-carbon fuels, directly advancing climate goals and emissions reduction.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates 80% carbon reduction in transportation fuels via credit system, promoting sustainable transit solutions and low-carbon fuel adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Airports Rail

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1273: An Act establishing a regional equity and roadway board

SD 1273 establishes a Regional Equity Roadway Board to develop a tolling system for Massachusetts highways, bridges, and major interstates near state borders, starting in 2027. The board, appointed by the Governor and including transportation experts and representatives from low-income communities, will create a "regionally-equitable" pricing policy focused on reducing traffic congestion and funding public transit. Key provisions require the board to analyze equity impacts, propose toll locations, estimate costs and revenue, and provide annual reports to state legislators with recommendations for mitigating adverse effects on underserved communities. This bill directly affects drivers using major roadways, public transit systems, and historically underserved communities disproportionately impacted by traffic congestion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tolling system to fund public transit and reduce congestion, creating new revenue stream for public services with equity analysis, aligning with budget & taxes support.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates tolling system to fund public transit and reduce congestion, directly advancing transportation infrastructure funding and equity-focused transit investment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1267: An Act establishing the Metropolitan Transportation Network

This bill establishes the "Metropolitan Transportation Network" by defining three interconnected systems: the Metropolitan highway system (specific interstate and state highway segments), the Metropolitan waterways system (water routes from Cape Ann to Plymouth Harbor), and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) assets serving the same areas. It requires the Department of Transportation to develop a tolling plan for the highway system by 2025, including dynamic pricing to reduce congestion and incentives for using MBTA transit. The network framework mandates integration of tolling, operating schedules, and pricing across highways, waterways, and MBTA services. This directly affects drivers using designated highways, MBTA operators, and the Department of Transportation, which must coordinate with federal agencies and regional stakeholders.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes metropolitan highway/waterways systems and MBTA assets, mandates DOT tolling plan for infrastructure funding by 2025.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Ports

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