By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2657) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. for legislation to authorize the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acting by and through its Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, to grant permanent easements over certain land in the town of Milton for highway purposes. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
This bill establishes a minimum $0.50 delivery fee for all third-party food delivery orders in Massachusetts, applied per order regardless of the restaurant's menu price. It requires delivery companies to annually report delivery volumes and collected fees to the Department of Public Utilities, with the fee adjusted for inflation every two years. Revenue from these fees is split equally: half funds municipal transportation infrastructure in cities/towns based on delivery volume, and half goes to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. The law directly affects delivery platforms, restaurants using their services, and local governments receiving funding. It does not apply to items not subject to state sales tax.
This bill prohibits most video screens and displays in motor vehicles while driving in Massachusetts. It bans television receivers, video monitors, or entertainment-focused screens visible to the driver forward of the back seat, and adds a restriction against using mobile devices for social media or camera functions while operating a vehicle. Exceptions include navigation systems, rear-view safety monitors, government vehicle use, and factory-installed systems with interlock features that disable screens during driving tasks like steering or lane changes. The law directly affects all drivers of registered vehicles in Massachusetts, with specific exemptions for safety, navigation, and certain official vehicle uses.
This bill allows Massachusetts' Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to transfer a specific 12,500-square-foot parcel of land in Stoneham to Wakefield Investments, Inc. The land, taken for highway use in 1958 and currently landlocked to a property at 100 Maple Street, will be used to reconstruct an I-93 off-ramp to Montvale Avenue and Maple Street. The transfer must occur at full market value, as determined by MassDOT and agreed upon by Wakefield Investments, and the company will cover all related costs including surveys, appraisals, and deed preparation. The bill directly affects MassDOT (as the landowner), Wakefield Investments (as the recipient), and the Stoneham property owner at 100 Maple Street.
This bill creates a dedicated fund called the Bourne Bridge Replacement Fund to finance the bridge's replacement. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will manage the fund, which can receive state appropriations, private donations, federal funds, and interest earnings. It specifically transfers $200 million from the Education and Transportation Fund to this new account by July 2025. Money in the fund cannot be returned to the general state budget at year-end, ensuring dedicated funding for the bridge project. The bill directly affects MassDOT's budgeting for the bridge replacement and the state's handling of transportation funding.
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2092) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to apply rebates to reduce the MSRP of an electric vehicle in the calculation of motor vehicle excise tax. Revenue.
This bill allows the Town of Westford to release specific agricultural preservation restrictions on three parcels of land (20-E-1, 20-GR-PUE-2, and 20-PUE-14) owned by Westford Gateway, LLC. The land is needed by MassDOT for the Boston Road rehabilitation project. To compensate, MassDOT must provide Westford with funding equal to at least 110% of the land's fair market value, deposited into the town's Community Preservation Fund for acquiring replacement conservation or agricultural land within three years. The replacement land must match the original in location, natural resource value, acreage, and monetary value. The release applies only to these parcels, leaving other agricultural restrictions intact.
SD 218, "CeCelia's Law," amends Massachusetts law governing right of way violations. It directly affects drivers found guilty of causing injuries or deaths through such violations. The bill increases fines and license suspension periods based on injury severity: $200 fine + 30-day suspension for minor injury, $500 + 90 days for serious injury (defined as unconsciousness, extreme pain, disfigurement, or risk of death), and $1,000 + 180 days for causing death. These penalties apply in addition to any other existing penalties.
H 4705 amends Massachusetts motor vehicle leasing laws to clarify insurance requirements for lessors (rental companies). It requires lessors to provide secondary insurance covering property damage for short-term leases (under 30 days) if the lessee lacks their own coverage, in addition to existing personal injury coverage. For leases longer than 30 days, this property damage coverage is not required. The bill also updates cross-references in the law to align with these changes, specifically modifying sections 32E and 34M of Chapter 90. This directly affects vehicle rental businesses operating in Massachusetts.
This bill establishes a 50% reduced fare pilot program for student commuter rail passes on the South Coast Rail corridor. It directly affects students enrolled at Bridgewater State University who live in specific municipalities along the route (including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, and several towns). The program prioritizes distribution based on student financial need, with the MBTA implementing it for the 2025-2026 academic year. The bill requires a report by September 2026 detailing the number of passes distributed by location, total cost, and other program metrics.
