HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 69
A message from His Excellency the Governor recommending legislation relative to financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges (House, No. 69). January 22, 2019. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)
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An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges.
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to finance improvements to the commonwealth’s transportation system, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
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. To provide for a program of transportation development and improvements, the sums set forth in sections 2, 2A and 2B for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in this act, are hereby made available, subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds. The sums made available in this act shall be in addition to any amounts previously appropriated or made available for these purposes.
SECTION 2.
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Highway Division
6122-2024. For the construction and reconstruction of municipal ways as described in clause (b) of the second paragraph of section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws; provided, that a city or town shall comply with the procedures established by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation; provided further, that a city or town may expend, without further appropriation, for these projects amounts not in excess of the amount provided to the city or town under this item upon preliminary notice of such amount, which shall be provided by the department to the city or town not later than March 1 of each year; and provided further, that the commonwealth shall reimburse a city or town under this item, subject to the availability of funds as provided in section 9G of chapter 29 of the General Laws, within 30 days after receipt by the department of a request for reimbursement from the city or town, which request shall include certification by the city or town that actual expenses have been incurred on projects eligible for reimbursement under this item and that the work has been completed to the satisfaction of the city or town according to the specifications of the project and in compliance with applicable laws and procedures established by the department…………………………………………...$200,000,000
SECTION 2A.
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Highway Division
6121-1914.For projects on the interstate and non-interstate federal highway system; provided, that funds may be expended for the costs of these projects including, but not limited to, the nonparticipating portions of these projects and the costs of engineering and other services essential to these projects; provided further, that notwithstanding this act or any other general or special law to the contrary, the department shall not enter into any obligations for projects that are eligible to receive federal funds under this act unless state matching funds exist that have been specifically authorized and are sufficient to fully fund the corresponding state portion of the federal commitment to fund these obligations; and provided further, that the department shall only enter into obligations for projects under this act based upon a prior or anticipated future commitment of federal funds and the availability of corresponding state funding authorized and appropriated for this use by the general court for the class and category of project for which this obligation applies…………………………………………………………………$1,500,000,000
SECTION 2B.
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Rail and Transit Division
6622-1980 For the purpose of implementing rail improvements pursuant to chapter 161C of the General Laws; provided, that funds may also be used for transportation planning, design, permitting, acquisition of interests in land and engineering for rail projects, including the industrial rail access program……………………………………………………….$200,000,000
SECTION 3. To meet the expenditures necessary in carrying out section 2, the state treasurer shall, upon request of the governor, issue and sell bonds of the commonwealth in an amount to be specified by the governor from time to time but not exceeding, in the aggregate, $200,000,000. All bonds issued by the commonwealth as aforesaid shall be designated on their face, Commonwealth Transportation Improvement Act of 2019, and shall be issued for a maximum term of years, not exceeding 30 years, as the governor may recommend to the general court under section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution. All such bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2054, pursuant to said Section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution. All interest and payments on account of principal on these obligations shall be payable from the General Fund. Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, bonds issued under this section and interest thereon shall be general obligations of the commonwealth.
SECTION 4. To meet the expenditures necessary in carrying out section 2A, the state treasurer shall, upon request of the governor, issue and sell bonds of the commonwealth in an amount to be specified by the governor from time to time but not exceeding, in the aggregate, $270,000,000. All bonds issued by the commonwealth as aforesaid shall be designated on their face, Commonwealth Transportation Improvement Act of 2019, and shall be issued for a maximum term of years, not exceeding 30 years, as the governor may recommend to the general court under section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution. All such bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2054, pursuant to said Section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution. All interest and payments on account of principal on these obligations shall be payable from the General Fund. Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, bonds issued under this section and interest thereon shall be general obligations of the commonwealth.
SECTION 5. To meet the expenditures necessary in carrying out section 2B, the state treasurer shall, upon request of the governor, issue and sell bonds of the commonwealth in an amount to be specified by the governor from time to time but not exceeding, in the aggregate, $200,000,000. All bonds issued by the commonwealth as aforesaid shall be designated on their face, Commonwealth Transportation Improvement Act of 2019, and shall be issued for a maximum term of years, not exceeding 30 years, as the governor may recommend to the general court under section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution. All such bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2054, pursuant to said Section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution. All interest and payments on account of principal on these obligations shall be payable from the General Fund. Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, bonds issued under this section and interest thereon shall be general obligations of the commonwealth.
