Amendment ID: S2819-20

Amendment 20

Congestion Pricing Study

Mr. Crighton, Ms. Rausch, Mr. Eldridge, Ms. Jehlen, Messrs. Keenan and Timilty move that the proposed new text be amended by adding the following section:- 

"SECTION XX. There shall be a special commission on roadway and congestion pricing to investigate, study and make recommendations on the development and deployment of comprehensive and regionally-equitable roadway pricing and congestion pricing mechanisms which shall include, without limitation, greater Boston metropolitan area roadways, major bridges and interstate highways near the commonwealth’s borders.

The commission shall consist of: the secretary of transportation or a designee; 12 members to be appointed by the governor: 1 of whom shall be an expert in transportation planning and policy who is not an employee of the commonwealth or any political subdivision, who shall serve as chair, 1 of whom shall be an expert in tolling systems or toll authorities, 1 of whom shall be an expert in transportation financing, 1 of whom shall be experts in traffic congestion and congestion pricing, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, 2 of whom shall be members of the Massachusetts Municipal Association who represent geographically diverse areas, 1 of whom shall be a member of the business community and 2 of whom shall be employed by organizations that represents low-income communities that have been historically underserved by transit and acutely adversely affected by the public health impacts of traffic congestion.; provided, however, that the members shall not be from the same organization.

(b) The commission shall: (i) identify and analyze physical, technological, legal and other issues or requirements related to roadway pricing in the commonwealth; (ii) propose detailed specifications and regionally-equitable locations for toll gantries and other equipment necessary to assess and collect tolls; (iii) advise the Massachusetts Department of Transportation on roadway pricing scenarios under the federal Value Pricing Pilot Program; (iv) provide estimates of annual operation and maintenance costs; (v) provide estimates of annual revenue; (vi) provide traffic forecasts including forecasts of traffic diversion impacts; (vii) provide a regional and social equity analysis with specific recommendations related to mitigating adverse impacts; and (viii) provide potential impacts on vehicular emissions reduction. The commission shall also identify all local, state and federal approvals necessary to deploy new tolls and other roadway pricing mechanisms on relevant roadways.

(c) Not later than January 1, 2023, the commission shall file a written report of its findings and recommendations, including legislative recommendations, with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on transportation. The report shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of mitigation measures to address social equity issues including, but not limited to, social equity issues for communities underserved by the current transportation system and most directly impacted by congestion."