Section 1.  Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, the department of transportation, in collaboration with the department of public utilities shall study methods to improve road repair after excavation by utility companies, private contractors or others performing excavation on a public way. The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) recommending methods to improve road repair; (ii) identifying the barriers to enacting uniform road repair procedures or regulations; and (iii) examining the feasibility, costs and benefits of implementing uniform procedures to ensure all public ways are repaired to equal or better condition and improve road repair in the commonwealth. The secretary of the department of transportation shall report the findings of this study and any actions taken pursuant this section to the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on transportation, the joint committee of telecommunications, utilities and energy and the clerks of the house of representatives and senate not later than July 1, 2019.