HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3211        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3450

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

William M. Straus

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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 bill:

An Act relative to the creation of a maritime division within the department of transportation.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3211        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3450

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act relative to the creation of a maritime division within the department of transportation.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to enhance maritime operations in the commonwealth, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

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 6C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 78.  There shall be within the office of planning and programming a division of maritime planning and policy development, which shall perform such functions as the administrator and secretary may determine relative to: (i) the operation of water transportation in the commonwealth; (ii) the provision of policy and planning assistance for the development and intermodal connectivity of the commonwealth's ports, including but not limited to the development of port connections to rail, roadways, waterways, and marine infrastructure; and (iii) policies and programs to increase the use of the commonwealth's waterways.  The division shall be under the supervision and control of the administrator, who shall be appointed by the secretary.  The administrator shall be the executive and administrative head of the division and shall be responsible for administering and enforcing the provisions of law and regulations relative to said division and to each administrative unit thereof.  The duties given to the administrator in this chapter and in any other general or special law shall be exercised and discharged subject to the direction, control and supervision of the secretary; provided however, that said functions, duties and powers shall not conflict in any way with the functions, administrative duties, powers and jurisdiction granted to the Massachusetts Port Authority or the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket Steamship Authority by any general or special laws. The administrator shall receive such salary as the secretary shall determine, subject to the approval of the board, and shall devote their full time to the duties of the office.

SECTION 2. Not later than 30 days following the effective date of this act, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (“Authority”) shall: (i) assign the Authority’s right, title and interest in any agreement related to the operation of ferry or commuter boat service to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation; and (ii) transfer the Authority’s right, title and interest in real and personal property used in the operation of such service, including but not limited to vessels, terminals, and ticketing and point of sale equipment, to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.