HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2824        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3684

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jerald A. Parisella

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying resolve:

Resolve establishing a commission to study veterans’ transportation issues.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2824        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3684

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3234 OF 2019-2020.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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Resolve establishing a commission to study veterans’ transportation issues.

Resolved, There is hereby established a special commission to study and make recommendations regarding veterans access to transportation for medical and other service-connected appointments with the goal of expanding and improving transportation options for veterans.

The commission shall consist of 11 members: 3 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be the chair of the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs, 1 of whom shall be the chair of the joint committee on transportation and 1 of whom shall be a member of the senate who is on the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs or the joint committee on transportation to be appointed by the minority leader of the senate, or the members’ designee; the secretary of transportation, or a designee; the secretary of veterans’ services, or a designee; 3 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be the chair of the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs, 1 of whom shall be the chair of the joint committee on transportation and 1 of whom shall be a member of the house of representatives who is on the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs or the joint committee on transportation appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives, or the members’ designee; and 5 members appointed by the governor, who shall consist of members with specialized knowledge of veterans and/or transportation issues. The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the senate shall select 2 members from the commission membership to serve as co-chairpersons.

The commission may hold hearings and invite testimony from experts and the public. The commission shall review and identify best practices learned from similar efforts in other states.

The commission shall report to the general court the results of its investigation and study and suggest an action plan and make recommendations together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry out its recommendations by filing the report with the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives and with the joint committees on veterans and federal affairs and transportation 270 days after the formation of said committee.