Transportation

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 7, 2026

H 3777: An Act relative to an interstate compact for western MA rail service

HD 541 authorizes Massachusetts' transportation secretary to negotiate an interstate compact with Connecticut, New York, and Vermont to establish permanent commuter rail service in Western Massachusetts. The bill specifically targets routes connecting New Haven to Brattleboro (via Greenfield, Holyoke, Northampton, Springfield) and Worcester to Albany (via Pittsfield, Chester, Springfield, Palmer). It also directs efforts to extend existing rail programs and promote connections between Western MA counties and major cities like Albany, Boston, Brattleboro, Hartford, and New Haven. The compact would create a formal framework for cooperation among the participating states to develop and sustain these rail services.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes interstate compact to improve western MA rail service, directly advancing public transit infrastructure and transportation connectivity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 29, 2025

S 2354: 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 ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes regional equity and roadway board to manage transportation infrastructure, indicating support for transportation policy advancement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 2357: An Act relative to tolls on the roadways of the commonwealth

SD 1562 freezes toll rates on Massachusetts' metropolitan highway system and turnpike at levels existing as of January 1, 2025. It removes requirements that tolls must cover specific costs like road maintenance, debt payments, or operational expenses. The bill also mandates a study by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation on expanding all-electric tolling to currently non-tolled highways, including evaluating options like border tolls and federal waivers. The study must be completed and reported to legislative committees by December 31, 2025. This directly affects drivers using these toll roads and could shape future toll policy.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill addresses tolls on roadways, a direct funding mechanism for transportation infrastructure maintenance and development.85% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 2353: 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 TransportationBill establishes a new Metropolitan Transportation Network, indicating proactive development and funding for infrastructure, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 2, 2025

H 3730: An Act relative to training tomorrow’s trucking industry workforce

HD 306 creates a state grant program administered by the Board of Higher Education to address workforce shortages in Massachusetts' commercial trucking industry. The program directly supports truck drivers, mechanics, technicians, and support staff by funding training initiatives for students, low-income individuals, women, minorities, veterans, and existing workers seeking career advancement or retraining. Key provisions require grant applicants to demonstrate specific goals for increasing trucking personnel, detail evidence-based training methods, and include private sector partnerships, while also directing support for regional employer collaborations and instructor capacity. The program mandates annual reports to state legislative committees tracking participant numbers and employment outcomes in the trucking sector.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes trucking workforce training fund to develop skills and improve employment opportunities in the sector, directly supporting labor force development.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates trucking workforce training fund under Transportation, directly funding industry development and workforce readiness for transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Freight

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3013: An Act establishing a tax credit for users of public waterway transportation

This bill creates a $500 state tax credit for commuters who use a commuter ferry as their primary transportation to work on at least half of their workdays. It directly affects eligible workers who rely on ferry services for their daily commute. To qualify, taxpayers must use the ferry for 50% or more of their commute days, and the credit reduces their state income tax liability. The credit applies to taxes under Chapter 62 of the General Laws, specifically targeting ferry commuters.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax credit for public waterway users, directly creating a tax policy change under Budget & Taxes topic.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes tax credit for public waterway transportation users, promoting alternative transit and sustainable transportation options within the transportation policy framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 1941: An Act establishing a highway use tax for heavy trucks

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1941) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation to establish a highway use tax for heavy trucks. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes new highway use tax on heavy trucks to generate revenue, directly advancing state budget funding through dedicated tax collection.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes highway tax for heavy trucks, generating revenue for transportation infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Transportation Funding

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 25, 2026

H 3769: 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 ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill focuses on improving vehicle safety standards through accurate impairment testing, directly enhancing transportation safety as per its Transportation categorization.90% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 27, 2026

H 3628: 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 ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly addresses unpaved roads infrastructure under Transportation, aligning with 'improves road infrastructure' indicator without opposing language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 3654: An Act relative to restoring commuter rail to Cape Cod

HD 898 mandates a feasibility study to restore year-round commuter rail service between Cape Cod towns (Falmouth, Bourne, Barnstable, Yarmouth, and Sandwich) and Boston via the Cape Cod line. The study, to be completed within 9 months, will evaluate costs for infrastructure upgrades, environmental impacts, funding sources, and bridge replacement options, including the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge. If the study finds feasibility, the MBTA must begin operating the service within 12 months of the bill's passage, with at least three weekday morning and afternoon peak trips. This bill directly affects Cape Cod residents by setting a timeline for improved transportation access and the MBTA by requiring implementation of the rail service.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes year-round commuter rail service to Cape Cod, directly expanding public transit infrastructure and advancing transportation policy as per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

Track