HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4949 FILED ON: 7/21/2025
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Steven George Xiarhos
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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 navigation applications and the protection of local roadways and public safety response.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
Steven George Xiarhos | 5th Barnstable | 7/21/2025 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4949 FILED ON: 7/21/2025
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By Representative Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Steven George Xiarhos relative to the use of navigational applications for travel routes for heavy motor vehicles. Transportation. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to navigation applications and the protection of local roadways and public safety response.
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. The General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, are hereby amended by inserting after chapter 90J the following chapter:-
Section 1. Navigation Applications and Heavy Vehicle Routing.
(a) No person, firm, corporation, or operator of a digital navigation application or global positioning system (GPS), including but not limited to mobile apps and commercial routing software, shall propose or suggest travel routes for heavy motor vehicles that divert such vehicles from primary or commuter roadways onto local municipal roads, where such diversion is likely to:
(1) Increase traffic congestion beyond the road’s designed capacity;
(2) Undermine public safety by restricting or delaying access for emergency response vehicles;
(3) Exceed the structural limitations or designated use of local infrastructure; or
(4) Negatively impact the quality of life in residential or tourism-heavy areas.
(b) The department of transportation shall develop regulations, in consultation with municipal governments and public safety agencies, to implement this section, including identifying priority areas for restricted routing and disseminating appropriate routing guidance to navigation application providers.
(c) This section shall not apply to emergency vehicles, public works vehicles, or vehicles rerouted due to road closures, accidents, or extreme weather, as determined by public safety officials.