FILED ON: 6/3/2016

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4384

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. The General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, are hereby amended by striking out chapter 90I in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following chapter:-

Chapter 90I  Complete Streets Program

Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, shall have the following meanings:-

“Complete streets”, shall mean streets that provide accommodations for users of all transportation modes including, but not limited to, walking, cycling, public transportation, automobiles and freight.

“Department”, shall mean the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

“Program”, shall mean the complete streets program under this chapter.

Section 2. There shall be within the department a complete streets grant program to encourage municipalities to regularly and routinely include complete streets design elements and infrastructure on new, reconstruction, and maintenance projects on locally-funded roads.

Section 3. In order to be designated as eligible to receive grant funding pursuant to the program, a municipality shall: (a) apply with the department in a form and manner prescribed by the department; (b) adopt a complete streets by-law, ordinance or administrative policy in a manner which shall be approved by the department and which shall include at least 1 public hearing; provided, however, that the by-law, ordinance or administrative policy shall identify the body, individual or entity responsible for carrying out the program; (c) ensure that a municipal employee participates in a department training for the program; (d) develop a complete streets prioritization plan; and (e) comply with other requirements of the department.

Section 4. The department may adopt rules, regulations and guidelines for the administration of this chapter including, but not limited to, criteria for awarding grants under the program, application procedures, and other requirements. The department shall consult with the Massachusetts bicycle and pedestrian advisory board established in section 11A of chapter 21 and the healthy transportation compact established in section 33 of chapter 6C on the development and management of the program.