HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3190        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3447

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

William M. Straus

_________________

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 a commission to examine a reorganization of the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3190        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3447

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3612 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

_______________

An Act establishing a commission to examine a reorganization of the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to investigate a reorganization of the Registry of Motor Vehicles, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public safety.
 

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. There is hereby established a commission to examine and report on the feasibility and advisability of restructuring the Registry of Motor Vehicles to assign services and functions, including without limitation those related to licensing, directly related to the safe operation of motor vehicles to a new public safety division within the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (“department”) that shall be overseen by an administrator independent from the registrar and appointed and subject to removal by the secretary of transportation.

The commission shall be chaired by the secretary of transportation and shall be comprised of the following members: the attorney general or their designee; the secretary of public safety or their designee; the commissioner of insurance or their designee; the registrar of motor vehicles; the chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means; the chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means; the house and senate chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation; a designee of the minority leader of the House of Representatives; a designee of the minority leader of the Senate; and a designee of the collective bargaining agent that represents the greatest number of employees of the Registry of Motor Vehicles. 

The commission shall consult with representatives from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, United States Department of Transportation, United States Department of Homeland Security, executive office of the trial court, executive office of technology services and security, Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents, Professional Driver Education Association of Massachusetts, School Transportation Association of Massachusetts, advocates for disabled persons and such other persons as needed to inform itself on relevant matters.

The commission shall hold not fewer than 3 public meetings at which members of the public shall be permitted to testify and submit written comments. Notice of such meetings shall be published on the web page and social media accounts of the department and Registry of Motor Vehicles at least 7 days prior to the meeting. 

The commission shall issue a report that (i) separately identifies all services and functions performed by the Registry of Motor Vehicles and boards, divisions, and departments thereunder that directly relate to the safe licensed operation of motor vehicles, and (ii) assesses the feasibility and advisability of transferring such services and functions to a new division focused on public safety. Such assessment shall consider the following issues, without limitation: the ability to efficiently and adequately meet all requirements of applicable state and federal laws and regulations; the need to amend applicable state laws and regulations; capital requirements; the effect on operating costs, including without limitation the effect on headcounts; applicable provisions of collective bargaining agreements; and logistical issues related to shared access of information and technology systems and the sharing of information with state and federal authorities and third parties.

The department shall provide staff to assist the commission in completing its obligations hereunder.

The report, together with drafts of legislation necessary to implement recommendations of the commission, if any, shall be filed with the clerks of the House of Representatives and Senate not later than January 1, 2025.