Transportation in Massachusetts

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 4736: An Act relative to protecting the public from street takeovers

H 4736 would establish penalties for drivers who operate vehicles recklessly or negligently, or who block other vehicles from moving. The bill targets behaviors that disrupt traffic flow and endanger public safety, such as dangerous driving or intentional obstruction. It requires law enforcement to apply specific penalties for these violations when they occur. This legislation directly affects drivers engaging in such conduct and the general public sharing roadways.

Topics ✓ Transportation

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2069: An Act to end debt-based driving restrictions and remove economic roadblocks

HD 2069 prevents drivers from being prosecuted for operating a vehicle with a suspended license solely due to unpaid administrative fees or fines. It explicitly states that failure to pay these fees cannot be used as grounds for criminal charges. The bill also allows drivers to request a reduction or waiver of unpaid fees or fines based on financial hardship when renewing or reinstating their license. Additionally, it requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles to send electronic notifications about unpaid assessments to help drivers avoid further penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 7, 2025

H 55: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

H 55 is a funding bill that allocates supplemental appropriations for Massachusetts' fiscal year 2025. It provides specific amounts to support transportation and education programs, including $67 million for MBTA low-income fare relief, $400 million for MBTA workforce/safety, and $32.5 million for high school career pathway initiatives. The bill also funds $75 million for career technical education facility upgrades, $100 million for early education workforce improvements, and $50 million to expand preschool access in high-need districts. All funds are supplemental to existing budgets and must be used for designated purposes with reporting requirements for oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations Career & Technical Education Early Childhood

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2241: An Act promoting access to zero-emission school buses

This bill creates a state program to help school districts afford zero-emission school buses by offsetting the higher upfront costs compared to diesel buses. It prioritizes funding for districts in communities with lower median household income or higher rates of childhood asthma emergencies. The program requires the Department of Energy Resources to administer grants, publish application details, and regularly report on grant usage, bus types, locations, and estimated emissions reductions. The bill also establishes a statewide contract to simplify purchasing or leasing zero-emission buses for municipalities and school districts.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2251: 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 ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2360: An Act relative to the certification of inspection for new motor vehicles

This bill (SD 1001) changes Massachusetts law to require that new motor vehicle owners receive a decal showing when their next annual inspection is due, instead of allowing optional waiver. The state vehicle office must provide this decal with the registration, and the fee for it cannot exceed the standard annual emissions testing fee. The waiver for the first inspection applies to most new cars but does not cover buses or transportation network vehicles (like ride-sharing services). This creates a standardized process for new vehicle inspections while limiting associated fees.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 13, 2026

S 2380: An Act improving safety measures for highway maintenance personnel

This bill amends Massachusetts law to enhance safety protections for highway maintenance workers. It adds a specific provision requiring that all authorized motor vehicles used by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) or its contractors in highway work zones must have a permit issued by the registrar. The change directly affects DOT personnel and contractors performing maintenance or construction activities in active highway work zones. The key mechanism is explicitly including these vehicles under the safety regulations governing work zone operations. This is a technical update to existing law, not a new policy initiative.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 31, 2025

S 2420: An Act reducing truck trips and emissions

This bill defines "truck-trailer unit" as a motor vehicle with at least three axles paired with a trailer having at least two axles (e.g., dump trucks). It amends a section of the General Laws to include "truck-trailer unit" in legal vehicle classifications alongside existing terms like "semi-trailer unit." The bill is procedural and does not impose new emission limits or operational requirements. It solely updates terminology for future regulatory or enforcement purposes.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Freight

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 2419: An Act to improve pedestrian safety

This bill requires municipalities to adjust traffic signal timing at crosswalks where slower pedestrians regularly cross. It mandates that cities and towns create lists of locations frequented by people walking slower than 3.5 feet per second (such as those with mobility issues, wheelchair users, or walking with others), and then adjust signal walk times to allow safe crossing. The law directs the department to create regulations requiring these adjustments at signalized crosswalks in listed areas. This directly affects local governments and traffic signal operations in communities with high pedestrian activity.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 31, 2026

S 2393: An Act relative to the safety of autonomous vehicles

This bill requires autonomous vehicles registered in Massachusetts to meet federal motor vehicle standards. It prohibits these vehicles from transporting passengers or goods (including interstate commerce) without a human safety operator physically present in the vehicle. The operator must be able to monitor the vehicle’s performance and intervene immediately, including operating or shutting off the vehicle if needed. The operator must also maintain all required state and federal qualifications for driving. This applies directly to companies or individuals operating autonomous vehicles for passenger or freight transport within the state.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles

All transportation bills