SECTION 1. Chapter 90 of the General laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

“Section 63. (a)   There shall be a special commission to study the taxi cab industry in cities and towns in the commonwealth. The task force shall study the current climate of the taxicab industry including, but not limited to, rules and regulations, industry viability, competitive issues facing the industry, financial burden, cost and financing of medallions and vehicle related issues.

(b) The commission shall consist of the following members: 2 persons to be appointed by the senate president, 1 of whom shall be a member of the senate and shall serve as chair and 1 of whom shall be a taxi medallion owner with not more than 4 medallions; 2 persons to be appointed by the speaker of the house, 1 of whom shall be a member of the house of representatives and 1 of whom shall be a representative of the banking industry who provides mortgages or loans to purchase medallions; 3 persons to be appointed by the governor; the secretary of housing and economic development or a designee; a commissioner from the department of public utilities or a designee; 1 person to be appointed by the mayor of the city of Boston; 1 person to be appointed by the mayor of the city of Springfield; 1 person to be appointed by the mayor of the city of Worcester; and 1 person to be appointed by the city manager of the city of Cambridge.

(c) The task force shall file a report, along with any proposed legislation, with the clerks of the Senate and the House of Representatives not later than July 1, 2018. The commission shall be formed and hold its first meeting not later than January 1, 2018.”.