Transportation

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 25, 2026

H 3612: An Act relative to increasing the fines and penalties for texting and driving

This bill (HD 2121) increases penalties for texting while driving in Massachusetts. It clarifies that a vehicle is considered "operating" if stopped in traffic (not just moving), and raises fines to $250 for a first offense (with a 90-day license suspension), $500 for a second offense, and $750 for third or subsequent offenses. It also links texting violations to driver's license records and insurance programs under existing laws. The changes directly affect drivers convicted of texting while operating a vehicle, including in stopped traffic.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases fines for texting while driving to enhance road safety, directly strengthening transportation safety regulations under the Transportation topic.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 27, 2026

H 3725: An Act providing for mobile driver’s licenses in the commonwealth

HD 2307 would create a mobile driver's license system in Massachusetts, allowing residents to store their driver's license information on their smartphones as an electronic credential. This mobile option would be available in addition to, not instead of, a physical license, and would require the Registry of Motor Vehicles to establish a system meeting national standards for security and privacy. Key provisions include requiring consent for data use, limiting what entities can collect from the mobile license, and maintaining the requirement for drivers to carry a physical license while operating a vehicle. The bill does not change existing requirements for law enforcement to request a physical license upon contact.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes electronic driver's license system, modernizing vehicle regulation compliance and verification processes within transportation infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 2414: An Act establishing a tunnel to connect the campuses of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical school ("ENSATS”)

SD 2549 authorizes Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School (ENSATS) to construct a pedestrian tunnel under Route 62 connecting its north and south campuses and the Danvers Rail Trail. The bill permits up to $5 million in funding for this project, which aims to improve student safety, increase accessibility, and reduce campus congestion. It specifically overrides any conflicting laws or regulations to enable the tunnel's construction.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes a tunnel connecting school campuses, directly advancing transportation infrastructure projects per its Transportation classification.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 11, 2025

H 2316: An Act to improve parking and pedestrian safety

This bill requires owners of new commercial buildings (with $1 million+ construction/rehab costs) to install physical barriers between parking areas and sidewalks or building fronts. These safety features - like bollards, walls, or planters - must prevent vehicles from entering pedestrian zones or hitting structures. It also creates a safety advisory group to develop best practices and allows insurers to offer discounts for compliant properties. The rules apply only to commercial developments permitted after July 1, 2022, and must comply with existing accessibility standards.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly targets pedestrian safety improvements within transportation infrastructure, aligning with safety enhancement indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety

Track

signed · Massachusetts · House Dec 12, 2025

H 4645: An Act relative to assault and battery upon a transit worker

This bill (H 4645, now Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2025) increases penalties for assaulting public transit workers while they are on duty. It makes it a crime to commit assault and battery - including using bodily substances like blood or saliva - against a transit worker performing their job, punishable by 90 days to 2.5 years in jail or fines of $500 to $5,000. The law specifically defines "bodily substance" to include human secretions such as saliva, urine, or feces. It directly affects transit workers by strengthening legal protections during their work. The bill was enacted in late 2025 after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the Governor’s signature.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting transit workers, expanding criminalization of bodily substance assaults with harsher sentences (90 days-2.5 years), opposing reform efforts.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects transit workers' safety by increasing penalties for assault during work duties, directly advancing workplace safety protections under Labor & Employment.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances public transit safety by increasing penalties for assaulting transit workers, directly protecting workers performing transportation duties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Public Transit

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 26, 2025

S 2412: An Act relative to commuter rail pedestrian safety

SD 1541 requires the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to upgrade all commuter rail station grade crossings to active safety systems. It mandates four specific safety features: four quadrant gates or gate skirts (additional barriers), clear signage directing pedestrians, signalized visual warnings, and channelization to guide pedestrians and assist those with vision impairments. The bill prohibits passive crossings without these measures and directs the MBTA to submit a compliance plan within 120 days to state transportation officials and legislative committees. This directly affects commuters and pedestrians using MBTA commuter rail stations across Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill targets commuter rail pedestrian safety, enhancing public transit infrastructure safety within transportation policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Rail

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SD 2679: Zero Emissions School Bus Transition Report

Report of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (pursuant to Section 70(d) of Chapter 179 of the Acts of 2022) submitting its Zero Emissions School Bus Transition report

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requires a report on transitioning to zero-emission school buses, directly reducing transportation emissions and advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates report on transitioning school buses to zero-emission, supporting sustainable transportation infrastructure goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Public Transit

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2739: An Act relative to neglecting to yield to a crossing guard or traffic officer

This bill amends Massachusetts law to require drivers to yield to crossing guards and traffic officers, expanding an existing requirement that already applied to police officers. It directly affects drivers who operate vehicles near school zones or traffic control points where crossing guards or traffic officers are directing traffic. The key change adds "crossing guard or traffic officer" to the list of personnel drivers must yield to under Chapter 90, Section 25. This is a straightforward update to existing traffic law, clarifying who must be yielded to without creating new penalties or altering enforcement procedures.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates yielding to crossing guards, enhancing pedestrian safety at road crossings, a core transportation safety measure.85% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1699: 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 as a safety measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2234: An Act aligning state electric vehicle charger reliability regulations with the national electric vehicle infrastructure program

This bill (SD 2364) requires Massachusetts state agencies to finalize electric vehicle (EV) charger reliability regulations by February 1, 2026. The regulations must align with federal standards under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. They will apply to all EV chargers installed on or after March 30, 2023, directly affecting the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Division of Standards. The key change is setting a specific deadline for agencies to adopt rules ensuring charger reliability, matching federal program requirements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAligns state EV charger regulations with national infrastructure program, promoting clean energy transportation infrastructure expansion95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill aligns state EV charger regulations with national program, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and electric vehicle adoption per bill title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

Track