SECTION 1.  There shall be a special legislative commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to study the need for and feasibility of constructing a helipad in the South Boston section of the city of Boston.  The commission shall consist of: 1 member of the senate who represents the first Suffolk district and shall serve as co-chair; 1 member of the house of representatives who represents the 4th Suffolk district and shall serve as co-chair; the governor or designee; 2 members appointed by the mayor of Boston, one of whom shall represent the Boston Planning & Development Agency and one of whom shall represent the office of economic development for the city of Boston; the president of the Boston city council or designee; the secretary of the department of transportation or designee; and 2 members selected by the commission's chairs from a list submitted by civic associations in the South Boston section of the city of Boston.

SECTION 2.  The commission shall investigate and study the need, feasibility and costs of building and operating a publicly owned and operated helipad in the South Boston section of the city of Boston, including but not limited to: whether any currently existing facilities within the city of Boston can support a helipad; the current licensing and permitting requirements for a building and operating a helipad; potential environmental impacts and noise pollution caused by the active use of a helipad in the South Boston section of the city of Boston; and impacts on infrastructure and neighboring businesses and residents from an active helipad within the South Boston section of the city of Boston.  The commission shall hold three public hearings by December 31, 2016.  The commission shall report its findings, including any proposed legislation and regulations, to the senate committee on intergovernmental affairs, the house committee on technology and intergovernmental affairs, the joint committee on transportation, the executive office of administration and finance, the Massachusetts department of transportation, the office of the mayor of Boston, the clerk of the Boston city council and the secretary of the Boston Planning & Development Agency, no later than January 15, 2017.