Chapter 6C of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 79. There is hereby established a commission on the future of public waterway transportation to determine the feasibility and plan for the expansion of public waterway transportation in the greater Boston area.

The commission shall have 1 member who is a representative of the department and 8 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a resident of the city of Boston, 1 of whom shall be a resident of the city of Quincy, 1 of whom shall be a resident of the city known as the town of Weymouth, 1 of whom shall be a resident of the city of Lynn, 1 of whom shall be a resident of the city of Revere, 1 of whom shall be a resident of the city known as the town of Winthrop, 1 of whom shall be a resident of the town of Hingham and 1 of whom shall be a resident of the town of Hull.

The special commission may conduct public hearings, forums or meetings to gather information regarding the expansion of public waterway transportation in the greater Boston area.

Annually, on or before June 30, the commission shall submit a report to the governor and the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate who shall forward the same to the joint committee on transportation, along with recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect. The special commission may file such interim reports and recommendations as it considers appropriate.