SECTION 1. (a) Not withstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there is hereby established a special commission to study the integration of fuel cell electric vehicles in public transit fleets as part of the statewide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.

(b) The commission shall investigate for purposes of determining the extent to which the following may promote the development of fuel cell charging stations and fuel cell electric bus and train fleets (i) state or federal programs and rebates that incentivize the public sectors to purchase fuel cell electric vehicles (iii) state or federal programs that finance or govern the development of fuel cell technology infrastructure (iv) international studies or best practices from other states adopting fuel cell vehicles in public fleets and integrating fuel cell vehicle charging infrastructure into their existing networks (v) the feasibility of public-private partnerships to facilitate fuel cell electric bus and train fleet infrastructure development, fuel cell electric vehicle market growth through public incentives, and increasing public awareness about the benefits of fuel cell technology. 

(c) Based on the commission’s investigation of the topics outlined in (b), the commission shall (i) highlight the projected impacts of adopting fuel-cell technology in public transit on achieving the state’s greenhouse gas emissions goals (ii) make recommendations, including a plan and timeline, to further incorporate fuel cell technology in public transportation infrastructure, and introduce fuel cell buses and trains into public transit fleets. 

(d) Any plans proposed by this commission should prioritize the implementation of fuel cell electric vehicle technology in environmental justice communities. 

(e) The commission shall convene its first meeting within 45 days of the passage of this act and shall submit its report and recommendations not later than 1 year after the passage of this act.

(f) A copy of the report and recommendations shall be made publicly available on the website of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and submitted to the joint committee on transportation.

(g) Prior to issuing its recommendations, the commission shall conduct not fewer than 4 public hearings, at least 3 of which shall be held in environmental justice communities.

(h) The commission shall consist of: the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on transportation, who shall serve as co-chairs; the secretary of the Department of Transportation; the General Manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; the chair of the Fiscal Management Control Board of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; a designee from each of the Regional Transit Authorities; the commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources and the secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs; the president of the senate or a designee; the speaker of the house of representatives or a designee; the minority leader of the house of representatives or a designee; the minority leader of the senate or a designee; the governor or a designee; 2 persons appointed by the president of the senate with relevant subject matter expertise; 2 persons appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives with relevant subject matter expertise; 2 persons appointed by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus with relevant subject matter expertise; and 2 persons appointed by the governor from organizations with relevant subject matter expertise.

(1) Members shall not receive compensation for their services but may receive reimbursement for the reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out their responsibilities as members of the commission.

(2) The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Regional Transit Authorities, Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs shall furnish reasonable staff and other support for the work of the commission.