SECTION 1. (a) There is hereby established a commission to study the feasibility and implementation of a subsidized public transportation benefit program for employees of the commonwealth in order to incentivize further use of public transportation by state employees, reduce congestion on the commonwealth’s roadways, and decrease carbon emissions from commuter vehicles.

When investigating the potential implementation of such a benefit, the study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the creation of a monthly transit pass benefit program for employees of the commonwealth, (ii) collaboration with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and other regional transit authorities, (iii) tax implications for employees, (iv) the possibility of imputed income for employees, (v) partnership with an employee benefits provider, (vi) equity regarding the pre-tax transportation benefit threshold, (vii) implications for employee labor contracts, and (viii) funding sources.

The commission shall consist of the following members: an appointee of the governor, who shall serve as the chair; the secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, or their designee; the general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, or their designee; the comptroller of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, or their designee; the chief human resources officer, or their designee; and the co-chairs of the joint committee on transportation, or their designees.

(b) The commission shall convene no later than two months after the passage of this act and shall file a report of its findings and recommendations with the clerk of the House of Representatives, the clerk of the Senate, and the chairs of the joint committee on transportation no later than one year after the passage of this act.