Transportation Amendments

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-641

TRP 641

MBTA Needham Line

Messrs. Rush and Ross moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section __, the following new section:-

"SECTION __. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall ensure the operation of weekend service on the Needham Line on Saturdays. The service shall be maintained to and from Needham and South Station."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-642

TRP 642

EZ-ID License Plate Task Force

Messrs. Tarr, Ross, Humason and McGee and Ms. Lovely moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section ___, the following new section:-

SECTION XXX. There is hereby established a special task force to analyze the feasibility of a vehicle registration plate system that utilizes non-alphanumeric symbols as part of the registration identification for plates issued by the registrar of motor vehicles. The task force shall consist of the registrar of motor vehicles, who shall serve as the chair; the colonel of the state police or a designee; a representative of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association; a designee from the Molly Bish Center for Missing and Exploited Children; the secretary of administration and finance or a designee; the secretary of transportation or a designee; the secretary of the executive office of public safety and security or a designee; a representative of the State Police Association of Massachusetts; a member of a labor organization representing police officers designated by the governor; and as ex officio members a representative from the United States Department of Transportation, a representative from the United States Department of Justice, a representative from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a representative from the United States Department of Homeland Security.

The study shall be directed to the feasibility of such a system, its cost, time frame for implementation, impact on federal, state and local law enforcement and between states and the tools and equipment necessary to produce enhanced recognition and identification registration plates. The study shall assess: human factors involved in the mental recognition of vehicle license plates, including human reaction to numbers, letters, characters and symbols and the ability to cognitively process them; provided, however, that the task force shall rely upon scientific studies that analyze and assess such human reaction and such ability as applied to not fewer than 15 non-alpha-numeric symbols as appearing on license plates traveling on public and non-public ways; provided further, that such scientific studies have been peer reviewed; and provided further, that the task force shall consult with relevant research or clinical scientists and medical professionals in the field of cognitive psychology and perception to verify the accuracy of the information it reviews; (ii) transportation-based factors including, but not limited to, the impact on toll revenues; (iii) interfaces with motor vehicle databases in other states including, without limitation, any licensing and registration system used by the registry of motor vehicles; and (iv) criminal information system accessibility.

The task force may conduct 1 or more public hearings to inform the public of its activities. The report of the task force shall be filed with the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives not later than December 31, 2014.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-643-R1

Redraft TRP 643

Relative to the MBTA and the MBTA Retirement Fund

Messrs. Brownsberger and Tarr moved that the proposed new text be amended <w:p><w:r><w:t xml:space="preserve">moved that the bill be amended by inserting after section 81 the following section:-

“SECTION 81A. Chapter 161A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 50. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, or its successor, shall make available retirement information for all current, former and future Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority employees and retirees which includes total annual and monthly pension benefit contributions, in an electronically searchable and aggregate format in accordance with the provisions of chapter 66 and section 14C of chapter 7. Said information shall include name, position, annual salary, monthly and annual pension payment, age and number of years in service for each employee or retiree at retirement.”; and by inserting after section 85 the following section:-

“SECTION 85A. Section 4 of chapter 38 of the acts of 2013 is hereby repealed.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-644-R1

Redraft TRP 644

MetroWest RTA Commercial Driver’s License Program

Ms. Spilka moved that the proposed new text be amended <w:p><w:r><w:t xml:space="preserve">moved that the bill be amended in section 2E, in item 1595-6368, by adding the following words:- “provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be a expended for a program to assist the training, placement and development of a professional, proficient and technically competent workforce that will support the existing and emerging staffing and labor needs of the public transportation sector; provided further, that such program shall be established and operated by the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority; provided further, that said authority shall work with agencies and organizations and public higher education institutions that have developed expertise and documented successful outcomes in job training and placement, including curriculum, coursework and practical application skills development; and provided further, that said program shall provide special outreach to veterans and to diverse populations in the MetroWest region that have mobility and transportation challenges, including, but not limited to, people with certain disabilities, the economically disadvantaged and cultural and linguistic minorities”; and

in said section 2E, in said item 1595-6368 by striking out the figure “$389,801,636” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “389,901,636”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-645

TRP 645

Distinctive Registration Plates

Messrs. Tarr, Ross, Kennedy, Pacheco, Humason and Michael O. Moore and Ms. Lovely moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section__, the following section:-

“SECTION__. Section 2F of Chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking paragraph (a) in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

“(a) The registrar shall design, issue and regulate the use of distinctive registration plates, subject to the following conditions: an organization sponsoring or requesting a distinctive registration plate shall submit individual, pre-paid applications, each accompanied by a nonrefundable check in the amount of $40, requesting the distinctive registration plate on an application form determined by the registrar, and the application form shall include the name, address and signature of each individual requesting the distinctive registration plate. The organization or group shall also be required to post a bond to secure the issuance of the distinctive plate in the following amount:

(i)a $200,000 bond when submitting 500 pre-paid applications;

(ii)a $150,000 bond when submitting 1,000 pre-paid applications; or

(iii)a $100,000 bond when submitting 1,500 pre-paid applications.

Upon the completion of the submission of the bond and the individual applications, the organization or group requesting the distinctive registration plate shall submit a proposed design for the plate. Those organizations or groups that submit 3,000 pre-paid applications shall not be required to post a bond. The registrar shall approve the design within 90 days of its submission. After the registrar grants approval of the design, the registrar shall send the distinctive registration plate into production.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-646

TRP 646

Berkshire Rides

Mr. Downing moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2E, in item 1595-6368, moved that the bill be amended in section 2E, in item 1595-6368, by inserting at the end thereof the following words:- “provided further, that not less than $460,000 shall be provided to Berkshire Rides to maintain transportation services” and further in said item by striking out the figure “$389,801,636” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “390,261,636”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-647

TRP 647

Regulating Eminent Domain Powers of Airport Authorities

Mr. Keenan moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section___, the following new section:-

SECTION ___. Section 51G of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following new paragraph:-

“When eminent domain taking is used for the purpose of ancillary airport operations such as parking, municipalities shall be compensated on an annual basis for the loss of property tax revenue. Such property tax revenue shall be determined using the taking authority’s appraisal used in determining the eminent domain award to the property owner, the assessed value by the municipality, or the value of the property as determined by the court if the taking is appealed, whichever is highest . Such compensation shall commence within one year of the transfer of property and with the approval of the mayor and the city council in cities or the approval of town meeting.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-648

TRP 648

DAV Vet Transportation Study

Mr. Rush, Ms. Forry and Mr. DiDomenico moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section __, the following new section:-

“SECTION __. Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall conduct a feasibility study on the costs associated with developing a program partnering with 501 (c) 4 national service organizations to provide transportation services to veterans in need of transportation to medical appointments and other life line services. Said study shall be completed by March 1, 2015 and shall be filed with House and Senate Committee on Ways and Means, the Joint Committees of Veterans and Federal Affairs and the Joint Committee on Transportation."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-649

TRP 649

DAV Vet Transportation

Messrs. Rush and Michael O. Moore, Ms. Forry and Mr. DiDomenico moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2E, in item 1595-6368, moved that the bill be amended in section 2E, in item 1595-6368, by adding at the end thereof the following:- “; and provided further, that not less than $600,000 shall be expended for coordinated veterans transportation services and that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and regional transit authorities are hereby authorized to enter into contracts and coordinate with a 501 (C) 4 national service organization currently providing transportation service in order to provide transportation services to veterans in need of transportation to medical and other life line appointments”; and in said item, by striking out the figures “$389,801,636” and inserting in place thereof the following figures “$390,401,636”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-650

TRP 650

Commuter Rail Weekend Pilot Program

Messrs. Hedlund and Kennedy moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended SECTION XX. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall restore the operation of weekend commuter rail service on the Kingston/Plymouth and Greenbush Lines on Saturdays and Sundays for a two year trial period. Said service shall be maintained to and from Greenbush and South Station, and to and from Kingston and South Station. The trial period shall begin within 6 months of the effective date of this act. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall provide a report detailing how the cost of maintaining weekend rail service on the Kingston/Plymouth and Greenbush Lines compares to maintaining weekend rail service on other commuter rail lines no later than 1 year and 60 days after the start of the trial period.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-651

TRP 651

DOT Fix It First Plan

Messrs. Tarr, Hedlund and Ross moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section__, the following new section:-

“SECTION__. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the secretary of transportation shall issue a 5 year plan, as provided for in section 11 of chapter 6C, no later than 180 days after the passage of this act. Said plan shall prioritize projects to provide for the reduction in the number of structurally deficient bridges, to reduce congestion attributable to disrepair, to improve urban and rural primary pavement conditions, to improve interstate pavement conditions, to increase maintenance disbursements per mile to the level necessary to achieve and maintain a state of good repair, to return bus and transit assets into a state of good repair, to improve track and signalization conditions, or to otherwise eliminate the backlog on transit, road, and bridge projects. The plan shall not include any capital expansion projects. The plan shall be published as provided for in section 11 of chapter 6C.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-652

TRP 652

Route 123 in Norwell

Mr. Hedlund moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended Section XX. Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2014 is hereby amended by inserting in line item 6121-1317 the following: "provided further, that $4,000,000 shall be expended for the reconstruction of state highway route 123 (Main Street) in the town of Norwell from Norwell Center to the Hanover town line; provided further, that $175,000 shall be expended for traffic signalization at the intersection of South and Main Streets in the town of Norwell;"

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-653

TRP 653

MassDOT Board

Mr. Petruccelli moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting the following new section: --

SECTION XX. Section 3 of Chapter 242 of the Acts of 2012 is hereby amended by striking out subsection (b) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-

“(b) The department shall be governed and its corporate powers exercised by a board of directors. The board shall consist of 9 members appointed by the governor for a term of 4 years, 3 of whom shall be experts in the field of public or private finance and management; 1 of whom shall have experience in public policy; 1 of whom shall have experience in transportation planning and policy; 1 of whom shall be the secretary of transportation, who shall serve as ex officio; 1 of whom shall be submitted to the governor by the Mayor of Boston; 1 of whom shall be a representative of a labor organization; and 1 of whom shall be a registered civil engineer with at least 10 years experience. The governor shall designate 1 of the members, other than the ex-officio director, to serve as chairperson of the board. Not more than 4 of the directors, except the ex-officio director, shall be members of the same political party. Each director shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses reasonably incurred in the performance of their duties, including reimbursement for reasonable travel; provided, however, that such reimbursement shall not exceed $3000 annually. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of a member of the board shall be appointed in a like manner and shall serve for only the unexpired term of such former member. Any director shall be eligible for reappointment. Any director may be removed from his appointment by the governor for cause. The board shall annually elect 1 of its members to serve as vice-chairperson.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-655-R1

Redraft TRP 655

Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund

Mr. Pacheco moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section ___, the following new section:-

"SECTION ___. Paragraph (a) of section 59A of Chapter 10 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 6, the figure “5” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “3”

SECTION ___. The fifth paragraph of section 20 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the fourth and fifth sentences and inserting in place thereof the following 2 sentences:- In addition to any reinstatement fee, there shall be a surcharge of $50 assessed against a person who seeks a license reinstatement following a revocation or suspension for 3 speeding convictions under section 17 within a 1-year period or as a result of receiving 3 or more violations or surchargeable offenses within a 3-year period. The first $50 of each surcharge shall be transferred by the registrar of motor vehicle to the state treasurer for deposit into the Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund established in section 59A of chapter 10.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-656

TRP 656

Snow and Ice Spending

Messrs. Tarr and Hedlund moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended in section 8 by inserting at the end thereof the following:- “Provided further, the department shall report to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, and the house and senate committees on ways and means, when the negative balance of funds available exceeds $50,000,000 or when the department anticipates exceeding $50,000,000 due to extensive participation in incident response efforts.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-657

TRP 657

Distinctive Registration License Plates

Ms. Spilka and Ms. Lovely moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section __, the following new sections:-

"SECTION XX. Paragraph (a) of section 2F of chapter ninety of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the number “1,500” in the second sentence; in the third sentence; and in the fourth sentence and inserting in each place thereof the number: - 500.

SECTION XX. Paragraph (b) of section 2F of chapter ninety of the General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out the number “3,000” in the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the number: – 1000."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-659-R1

Redraft TRP 659

Motor Vehicle License Suspension

Ms. Chandler, Ms. Chang-Diaz, Messrs. Brownsberger and Michael O. Moore, Ms. Jehlen, Messrs. Eldridge, Lewis and McGee moved that the proposed new text be amended <w:p><w:r><w:t xml:space="preserve">moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section 54 the following new 2 sections:-

"SECTION 54A. Section 22 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (f).

SECTION 54B. Section 30 of said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, upon expiration of the term of suspension of driving privileges suspended under subsections (g), (h), or (i) of section 22, the registrar shall seal from public access all records of the suspension and the underlying offense, including records of the expiration of the suspension, any hearings or appeals related to the suspension, and the reinstatement following the suspension.”; and

by inserting, after section 123, the following section:-

“Section 123A. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the registrar of motor vehicles shall seal from public access all records of a suspension and the underlying offense that was previously imposed under subsection (f) of section 22 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, including records of the expiration of the suspension, any hearings or appeals related to the suspension, and the reinstatement following the suspension.”; and

by inserting after section 130 the following section:-

"SECTION 130A. Section 54A shall take effect 60 days after the governor submits to the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation: (i) a written certification stating that the governor is opposed to the enactment or enforcement of a law that conforms with 23 U.S.C. 159 (a)(3)(A), relating to the revocation, suspension, issuance or reinstatement of drivers’ licenses to convicted drug offenders and (ii) a written certification that the general court has adopted a resolution expressing its opposition to a law described in clause (i)."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-661

TRP 661

EZID Task Force

Mr. McGee moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section ____, the following new section:-

“SECTION XXX. There is hereby established a special task force to analyze the feasibility of a vehicle registration plate system that utilizes non-alphanumeric symbols as part of the registration identification for plates issued by the registrar of motor vehicles. The task force shall consist of the registrar of motor vehicles, who shall serve as the chair; the colonel of the state police or a designee; a representative of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association; a designee from the Molly Bish Center for Missing and Exploited Children; the secretary of administration and finance or a designee; the secretary of transportation or a designee; the secretary of the executive office of public safety and security or a designee; a representative of the State Police Association of Massachusetts; a member of a labor organization representing police officers designated by the governor; and as ex officio members a representative from the United States Department of Transportation, a representative from the United States Department of Justice, a representative from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a representative from the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-662

TRP 662

License Plate Issuance Program

Messrs. McGee and Joyce moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section ____, the following new section:-

"SECTION XXX. (a) Section 2 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by deleting, in line 143, the words “, without charge,”.

(b) Said chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after section 2I the following new section:-

Section 2J. Beginning July 1, 2016, upon registration or renewal, the registrar shall issue new number plates to every person whose motor vehicle is registered under this chapter. All number plates issued after July 1, 2016 shall be valid for a period of 8 years, following which, upon renewal, such plates shall be replaced. No fee shall be assessed for the issuance of new number plates, provided that the registrar may impose a charge in order to defray the costs incurred to issue such plates, provided further that any such charge shall not be imposed upon number plates that are required by general or special law to be issued without charge.

(c) The registrar may utilize a “rolling” replacement cycle with respect to those motor vehicles registered prior to July 1, 2016, or otherwise stagger issuance of new number plates, in order to implement subsection (b).

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-663

TRP 663

MBTA Financial Efficiency

Mr. McGee moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section _____, the following new section:-

"SECTION XXX. Section 18 of Chapter 161A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official 1563 Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph: The secretary of administration and finance, on behalf of the commonwealth, shall, with the concurrence of the secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, enter into a contract with the authority prior to July 1, 2014, providing for payments by the commonwealth of $160,000,000 annually to the authority, in substantially equal monthly payments not later than the last day of each month, commencing with July 2014. The authority may pledge such contract and the rights of the authority to receive amounts thereunder as security for the payment of notes or bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter. Such contract shall constitute a general obligation of the commonwealth for which the faith and credit of the commonwealth shall be pledged for the benefit of the authority and of the holders of any notes or bonds of the authority which may be secured by a pledge of such contract or of amounts to be received by the authority under such contract”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-664

TRP 664

Weight Exemptions of Idle Reduction Systems for Commercial Vehicles

Mr. McGee moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section ____, the following new section:-

“SECTION XXX. Section 19A of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting, in line 40, the following new paragraph:-Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the maximum gross vehicle weight limit, bridge formula limit and axle weight limit for any vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with an idle reduction system may be increased by a quantity necessary to compensate for the additional weight of the idle reduction system as provided for in 23 U.S.C. Section 127, as amended. In no case shall the additional weight increase allowed by this section be greater than four hundred pounds. Upon request by an appropriate law enforcement officer, the vehicle operator shall provide proof that the idle reduction technology is fully functional at all times and that the gross weight increase is not used for any purpose other than for the use of an idle reduction system. For purposes of this section, an idle reduction system is any system that provides heating, cooling or electrical service to a commercial vehicle cab for the purpose of reducing vehicle idling.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-665

TRP 665

MBTA Taxpayer's Savings Amendment

Messrs. Montigny and Michael O. Moore moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting after section___ the following new section:-

“SECTION____. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall, not later than September 1, 2014, issue a request for proposals for a minimum of 120 days and annually March 1 each year thereafter to sell, license or rent naming or sponsorship rights for all subway, bus or commuter rail stations or other assets operated and owned by the authority. Nothing in this section shall prevent the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority from soliciting or receiving requests for information on said property.

(b) The secretary of transportation shall direct all revenues generated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority under this section to be used on mass transit capital expansion projects.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-666

TRP 666

Removal of RMV’s ability to deny driver’s license renewals based on old unpaid tickets

Mr. Brownsberger moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by adding the following new section:-

Section XX.Section 20G of Chapter 90, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition of the General Laws, is hereby amended by adding in line 8 after the word “regulation” the following:-

“, provided, however, that violations issued prior to a person’s most recent license renewal shall not constitute a violation for purposes of this section”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-667

TRP 667

DOT Savings Report

Messrs. Tarr, Hedlund, Ross and Humason moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting, after section__, the following new section:-

“SECTION __. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of transportation shall annually file with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, and post on the department’s website, a report by December 31 showing the results of its efforts to seek savings, efficiencies and reform to improve transportation infrastructure governance and management.”

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-668

TRP 668

MBTA Key Bus Routes

Ms. Chang-Diaz and Ms. Forry moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2E, in item 1595-6369, moved that the bill be amended in section 2E, in item 1595-6369, by inserting after the word "Laws" the following:-

"; provided, that no less than $7,500,000 shall be expended for the Key Bus Route improvement initiatives that focus on the next 15 busiest bus routes in the MBTA system";

and in said item by striking out the figure "$296,552,622" and inserting in place thereof the following:- "$304,052,622".

Budget Amendment ID: FY2015-S4-669-R1

Redraft TRP 669

Rider Community Representative Appointment

Mr. McGee moved that the proposed new text be amended moved that the bill be amended by inserting after section___, the following new section:-

“SECTION XXX.Chapter 161B, Section 5 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the third paragraph, and inserting in place thereof the following:- “One representative of the rider community population shall serve on the advisory board as a voting member for a term of 1 year. The advisory board shall appoint a community rider for this purpose from a list of at least 5 persons from within the respective RTA region nominated by the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and its regional councils; provided further, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and its regional councils shall consider submissions from municipalities within the respective RTA region. The representative for the rider community may be reappointed, determined by the board; provided however, that the representative of the disabled commuter population and the representative of the rider community shall not be appointed by the same city or town in the region, unless approved by the board. Any community rider board member currently appointed, shall serve out the remainder of their term; provided that upon the conclusion of that current term, this section shall take effect. This section shall take effect immediately for the remaining boards that do not currently have a community rider board member appointed and serving.