HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3161        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3158

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michelle L. Ciccolo

_________________

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 bill:

An Act establishing the municipal utility corridor public access program.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Michelle L. Ciccolo

15th Middlesex

1/19/2023

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

3/16/2023

Michael O. Moore

Second Worcester

4/10/2023

Walter F. Timilty

Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol

6/22/2023


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3161        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3158

By Representative Ciccolo of Lexington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3158) of Michelle L. Ciccolo that the Department of Public Utilities establish a municipal utility corridor public access program.  Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act establishing the municipal utility corridor public access program.

 

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. Chapter 25 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 23 the following section:-

Section 24. (a) The Department of Public Utilities shall establish a municipal utility corridor public access program. The program shall establish a process for a municipality to enter into an agreement with an electric company, distribution company, generation company, transmission company, or private railroad company that uses land or rights of way as a transportation or utility corridor or for transmission service in said municipality, to permit public access for transportation and recreational purposes without imposing a charge or fee.

(b) The agreement shall include the type of uses that will be allowed, the party responsible for trail construction and maintenance, roles and responsibilities of municipalities, and other matters related to public access.

(c) In accordance with section 17c of chapter 21, an electric company, distribution company, generation company, private railroad company, or transmission company shall not be liable for personal injuries or property damage sustained by members of the public.