SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2239        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2222

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

John J. Cronin

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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 to build future-forward parking structures to promote EV equity and walkable downtowns.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2239        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2222

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 to build future-forward parking structures to promote EV equity and walkable downtowns.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

The General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after Chapter 40X, the following section:

Chapter 40Y. Equitable EV Facilities Matching Fund

Section 1. (a) There shall be established a financing program for the construction, reconstruction, and renovation of municipal parking facilities to provide electric vehicle charging stations, as defined in section 16 of chapter 25A and as provided in clause (b) of the second paragraph of section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws. The appropriation shall be considered an available fund upon approval of the commissioner of revenue pursuant to section 23 of chapter 59 of the General Laws. As provided in section 9G of chapter 29 of the General Laws, within 60 days after receipt by the Department of a request for reimbursement from the city or town, which request shall include certification by the city or town that actual expenses have been incurred on projects eligible for reimbursement under this item and that the work has been completed to the satisfaction of the city or town according to the specifications of the project and in compliance with applicable laws and procedures established by the department.

(b) A city or town shall comply with the procedures established by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (“Department”), including submitting a financing plan to be certified by the Department. 

(1) Prior to reimbursement, a city or shall submit each eligible project for certification by the Department and must meet, at a minimum, the following performance standards:

(i) Facilitate the reduction and redevelopment of surface parking in downtown areas;

(ii) Provide affordable and accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to residents of dense multifamily neighborhoods;

(iii) Support additional housing production and transit-oriented growth, as demonstrated by local zoning and parking requirements;

(iv) Incorporate context-sensitive urban design and promote a safe, active streetscape that encourages walking; and

(v) A financing plan that covers the local share of the project cost.

Section 2. Electric Vehicle Charging Station Matching Fund

In order to assist in establishing a financing program for the construction, reconstruction, and renovation of municipal parking facilities to provide electric vehicle charging stations in the state, there is hereby established a fund to be known as the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Matching Fund, hereinafter referred to as the matching grant fund, to which shall be credited the proceeds of bonds or notes of the commonwealth issued for the purpose, and any appropriations designated by the general court to be credited thereto. The commonwealth shall reimburse a city or town under this item based on the city or town’s median income ranging from 30 per cent to 80 per cent. The matching grant fund shall be administered by the Department. The Department shall hold the matching grant fund in an account or accounts separate from other funds of the Department. The purpose of the matching grant fund shall be to provide funds for capital expenditures to be made in connection with projects which are sponsored by cities and towns.