Transportation in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2509: An Act improving the Massachusetts Department of Transportation project efficiency

SD 2509 establishes a special commission to study and recommend ways to improve the efficiency of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) project timelines. The commission, composed of transportation officials, state auditors, lawmakers, municipal representatives, and industry experts, will examine MassDOT's planning, permitting, procurement, and construction processes to identify delays and inefficiencies. It will compare Massachusetts' project timelines with other states, assess regulatory barriers, and explore public-private partnerships, with findings due to the Governor and legislature within one year. This bill does not make direct policy changes but creates a process for future recommendations to streamline MassDOT projects.

Topics ✓ Transportation

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 80: An Act promoting road safety

This bill creates a voluntary "yellow dot" program for drivers aged 62+ or with chronic health conditions. Participants receive a yellow window decal and a folder for their glove compartment containing their health information, including medications, allergies, emergency contacts, and medical conditions. Emergency responders are alerted to check the folder during accidents or medical emergencies to quickly access critical health details. The program includes a fee to cover costs, requires state agency design standards based on other states' models, and protects responders from liability for good-faith actions using the provided information.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2465: An Act relative to providing multimodal transportation technologies

This bill allows fully autonomous vehicles (those with systems handling all driving functions without a human driver) to operate on Massachusetts roads under specific conditions. Operators must obtain a Department of Transportation license, ensure vehicles achieve a "minimal risk condition" during system failures, and submit law-enforcement interaction plans. It requires special vehicle registration, mandates that heavier vehicles (10,000+ lbs) still have a human driver, and treats the automated system as the legal "driver" when engaged. The bill also sets requirements for crash reporting and insurance coverage for these vehicles.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles Vehicle Registration

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1497: An Act relative to motorcycle parking

This bill requires state agencies and local municipalities to provide reasonable motorcycle parking spaces in all transportation and parking facilities built with public funds (federal, state, or local). It mandates that these spaces be allocated in areas not meeting standard car parking requirements, and prohibits rules or policies that specifically restrict motorcycle access to highways, bridges, or transportation facilities. The bill also bans discriminatory practices in transportation planning, funding, or facility design that target motorcycles, motorcycle operators, or passengers. It directly affects motorcycle riders by ensuring equal access and parking accommodations in publicly funded infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jan 27, 2025

HD 4323: An Act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges

This bill allocates over $2.3 billion in state funds to improve Massachusetts' local roads, bridges, and transportation infrastructure. It directly affects cities and towns by providing reimbursement for eligible projects like road reconstruction, bridge repairs, culvert upgrades, and pavement resurfacing, with funds distributed based on local road mileage. Key provisions include requiring municipalities to submit certification of completed work, encouraging long-term capital planning, and mandating that projects incorporate climate resilience and accessibility improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. The funding is primarily sourced through state bonds, with reimbursements processed within 30 days of request.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 558: An Act establishing a special commission on micro-transit

SD 558 creates a special commission to study micro-transit services across Massachusetts. The commission will examine different service models, assess current funding needs and gaps, define micro-transit for state funding eligibility, and estimate annual funding requirements. It will specifically focus on how micro-transit can improve transportation access in underserved areas and connect with existing transit systems. The commission, made up of transit officials, community advocates, and service providers, must submit a final report to state leaders within 15 months. This bill directly affects communities and transit providers relying on or expanding micro-transit services.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles Public Transit

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1070: An Act to explore alternative funding sources to ensure safe and reliable transportation

This bill creates a task force to design and evaluate a pilot program testing a mileage-based user fee as an alternative to fuel taxes for Massachusetts' road funding. The task force, including transportation officials and appointed experts, will gather public input through six regional hearings and guide MassDOT in implementing a statewide pilot involving at least 1,000 volunteer drivers with mileage-tracking technology. The pilot will test the reliability, privacy protections, and cost-effectiveness of collecting fees based on miles driven, while reimbursing participants for fuel taxes to avoid financial burden. After a one-year pilot, MassDOT must report to the legislature within three years on the feasibility of a permanent mileage fee and its potential impacts on the economy, environment, and traffic.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Transportation Funding

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2579: An Act aligning the Commonwealth's transportation plans with its climate goals

This bill requires Massachusetts transportation planning to align with climate goals by mandating that regional transportation plans and projects meet greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction targets. It establishes a process for assessing emissions and VMT impacts of transportation projects, including requiring mitigation measures like transit expansions, active transportation infrastructure, or land-use changes to offset emissions. The Department of Transportation must publish these assessments online and ensure mitigation efforts are localized to affected communities or underserved areas. The bill directly affects metropolitan planning organizations, state agencies, and project developers by making compliance with emissions and VMT targets a condition for approving transportation plans and projects.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Climate Change

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 465: An Act relative to solar-powered mobility networks

This bill requires the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to establish regulations for solar-powered mobility networks (like solar-powered transit systems) to shift toward sustainable transportation. It directly affects private companies seeking to build such networks and the state agency responsible for oversight. Key provisions include requiring networks to exceed 120 passenger miles per gallon (5x current efficiency), meet specific safety standards, be privately funded without subsidies, and generate over 2 megawatt-hours of renewable energy per network mile daily to access public rights-of-way. The bill also limits taxes and fees on providers to 5% of gross revenue and mandates environmental approvals for networks meeting the efficiency criteria.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Renewable Energy Solar Autonomous Vehicles Electric Vehicles

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 801: An Act expanding truck safety requirements

This bill requires certain large trucks (class 3 or higher, weighing over 10,000 pounds) operated by specific entities - including municipalities, utility companies, and wireless providers - to install lateral protective devices, convex mirrors, crossover mirrors, and backup cameras by January 1, 2028. It directly affects commercial vehicles leased or purchased by these public or utility entities, excluding ambulances, firefighting vehicles, and agricultural tractors. The state motor vehicle registrar must establish detailed standards for these safety devices based on federal DOT guidelines, allowing for alternative compliance methods. The law aims to enhance safety around large trucks through standardized equipment requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Freight

All transportation bills