Transportation Amendments

Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-871

TRP 871

MBTA Sustainability Plan

Messrs. Tarr and Durant moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section __ the following section:-

"SECTION __ . The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority shall develop a comprehensive plan which outlines the status of the state of repair of all of its systems, assets, and equipment, together with the necessary steps to ensure a state of good repair, safety and compliance will all applicable federal and state safety standards, protocols, laws rules and regulations, and efficient operation, and, to the maximum feasible extent, financial self - sufficiency from own source revenue and other resources not attributable to state taxpayers beyond current levels.

Said plan, together with any recommendations for regulatory or legislative actions necessary to achieve its goals, shall be filed initially with the clerks of the House and Senate not later than 12 months following the passage of this act, and updated annually thereafter not later than March 31 of each year, for a period of five years, unless such requirement is otherwise extended, modified, or terminated."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-872-R2

2nd Redraft TRP 872

Wrong Way Driving

Messrs. Tarr and O'Connor, Ms. Lovely, Messrs. Finegold, Durant, Montigny and Velis, Ms. Howard and Messrs. Crighton and Fattman moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 27 the following section:-

“SECTION 27A. Clause (c) of section 8 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word 'vehicle', in the line 54, the following words:- and a module on the dangers of wrong way driving and strategies and techniques for motorists to prevent wrong way driving”; and

by inserting after section 36 the following 4 sections:-

”SECTION 36A. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive protocol to prevent the occurrence of wrong way driving on limited access roadways in the commonwealth, which shall include, but not be limited to, directional striping on access ramps, adequate signage, lane delineators, lighting, detection systems which activate multi-sensory warning devices which alert wrong way drivers and notify public safety agencies of wrong way driving incidents in real time, messaging systems which notify motorists of the threat of a wrong way driver and other infrastructure based on current science and research relative to the prevention of wrong way driving incidents. Said protocol shall be implemented in the most expeditious manner possible, pursuant to a multiyear plan which shall identify and prioritize access ramps and intersections based on a threat level or other similar analysis which shall include, but not be limited to, documented incidents of wrong way driving and identifiable logistical defects or deficiencies; provided, however, that such protocol shall be updated periodically, in increments of not less than 3 years. In carrying out this section, the highway administrator, in consultation with the secretary of transportation, shall prepare a budget for the initial cost of the plan and shall thereafter issue annual reports including the costs associated with such plan for the next fiscal year, progress made in implementing the protocol and the protocol’s impact and effects on reducing incidents of wrong way driving, which shall be reported to the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on transportation, the joint committee on public safety and homeland security, the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the secretary of administration and finance and the secretary of public safety not later than April 30, for a period of not less than 5 years from the passage of this act.

SECTION 36B. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the secretary of public safety, in consultation with the secretary of transportation, shall develop and implement training practices that ensure that all peace officer training conducted in the commonwealth includes, as of January 1, 2027, instruction relative to wrong way driving.

SECTION 36C. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the registrar of motor vehicles shall research, develop and transmit through a comprehensive plan of public service announcements, on an annual basis, information relative to the dangers and prevention of wrong way driving, provided that the content, transmission and effectiveness of such plan shall be reported annually to the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on transportation, the joint committee on public safety and homeland security and the clerks of the senate and house of representatives not later than March 1.

SECTION 36D. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, in consultation with the registry of motor vehicles the executive office of public safety and security and the executive office of aging and independence shall conduct a feasibility study on improving roadway safety for drivers over the age of 70. The study shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of: (i) wrong way driving incidents involving drivers over age 70; (ii) identification of roadway design, signage, lighting or geometric factors that may contribute to increased risk for older drivers; (iii) evaluation of educational, engineering or technological interventions that may reduce wrong way driving incidents among older drivers; and (iv) recommendations for infrastructure improvements, driver education enhancements or policy changes to improve safety for older drivers.

The study, along with any recommendations, shall be filed with the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on transportation the joint committee on public safety and homeland security and the clerks of the senate and house of representatives not later than 12 months after the effective date of this act.”.

Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-872

TRP 872

Wrong Way Driving

Messrs. Tarr and O'Connor, Ms. Lovely and Messrs. Finegold, Durant, Montigny and Velis moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following new section:-

"SECTION_. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Massachusetts department of transportation, in consultation with the executive office of public safety and security, shall adopt and implement a program to prevent and mitigate the effects of wrong-way driving on limited-access roadways under the commonwealth’s jurisdiction. The program may include, without limitation, installation of new highway safety technology, a plan of capital improvements, and changes to highway design and traffic control device guidelines. The details of the program, including a projected budget and a schedule setting forth the dates by which the safety measures shall be implemented, shall be filed with the house and senate committees on ways and means and the house and senate co-chairs of the joint committee on transportation and made publicly available on the department’s web site not later than December 31, 2026."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-872-R1

Redraft TRP 872

Wrong Way Driving

Messrs. Tarr and O'Connor, Ms. Lovely, Messrs. Finegold, Durant, Montigny and Velis, Ms. Howard and Mr. Crighton moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following new sections:-

"Section 1. Section 3 of chapter 6C of the general laws as appearing in the 2024 official edition is hereby amended by inserting after subclause (48) the following:- (49) The Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive system to prevent the occurrence of wrong way driving on limited access roadways in the commonwealth, which shall include but not be limited to directional striping on access ramps, increased and improved signage, lane delineators, lighting, detection systems which activate multi- sensory warning devices which alert wrong way drivers and notify public safety agencies of wrong way driving incidents in real time, messaging systems which notify motorists of the threat of a wrong way driver in the most effective means possible, and other infrastructure based on the best available science and research relative to the prevention of wrong way driving incidents. Said system shall be implemented in the most expeditious manner possible, pursuant to a multiyear plan which shall identify and prioritize all access ramps and intersections based on a threat level or other similar analysis, which shall include but not be limited to documented incidents of wrong way driving and identifiable logistical defects or deficiencies, provided that such plan shall be updated periodically, in increments of not less than three years. In carrying out the provisions of this section, the highway administrator in consultation with the secretary of transportation shall prepare a budget for the initial cost of the plan, and thereafter annual report including the costs associated with such plan for the next fiscal year, progress made in implementing the plan, and its impact and effects on reducing incidents of wrong way driving, which shall be reported to the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Transportation, the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, the clerks of the house and senate, the secretary of administration and finance, and the secretary of public safety not later than April 30, for a period of not less than five years from the passage of this act.

Section 2. Clause (c) Section 8 of Chapter 90 of the general laws as appearing in the 2024 official edition is hereby amended by inserting after the “vehicle” in the line 54 the following:- , and a module on the dangers of wrong way driving, the importance of preventing wrong way driving, strategies and techniques for motorists to prevent the incidence of wrong way driving, and to address the threat of wrong way driving while operating a motor vehicle.

Section 3. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary the secretary of public safety, in consultation with the secretary of transportation, shall develop and implement training practices that ensure all peace officer training conducted in the commonwealth includes, as of January 1, 2027, instruction relative to wrong way driving

Section 4. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary the registrar of motor vehicles shall research, develop, and transmit through a comprehensive plan of public service announcements, on an annual basis, information relative to the dangers and prevention of wrong way driving, provided that the content, transmission, and effectiveness of such plan shall be reported annually to the House and Senate committees on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Transportation, the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, and the clerks of the house and senate not later than March 1.

Section 5. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, shall conduct a feasibility study on improving roadway safety for drivers over the age of 70.

The study shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of wrong way driving incidents involving drivers over age 70; identification of roadway design, signage, lighting, or geometric factors that may contribute to increased risk for older drivers; evaluation of educational, engineering, or technological interventions that may reduce wrong way driving incidents among older drivers; and recommendations for infrastructure improvements, driver education enhancements, or policy changes to improve safety for older drivers.

The study along with recommendations shall be filed with the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Transportation, and the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, and the clerks of the house and senate not later than 12 months after the effective date of this act."

Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-874

TRP 874

Commemorating the History of the Commonwealth

Messrs. Tarr and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section __ the following section:- "SECTION ___ There shall be established and set up on the books of the Commonwealth the Commonwealth Heritage Fund, the purpose of which shall be to provide funding for the commemoration of the role of Massachusetts in the founding, establishment, and development of the United States through events including but not limited to the revolutionary war, the creation of the Declaration of Independence, the Massachusetts Constitution, and the Federal Constitution, and other significant events. The fund shall be administered without further appropriation by the secretary of the commonwealth, who shall develop, institute, and maintain a program to carry out the purposes of the fund through grants to state and municipal agencies, school districts, and non-profit organizations, provided that the secretary shall file such plan with he clerks of the House and Senate not later than 90 days prior to its implementation, and that such plan shall, to the maximum feasible extent, provide geographic and demographic fairness in the distribution of such grants.

The fund shall receive 50 percent of the proceeds generated by the registration fee for motor vehicle registration plate known as the MA250 Plate, which shall be transferred to the fund by the registry of motor vehicles on a monthly basis, provided that the fund may also receive gifts, grants, federal funds or legislative appropriations, provided that the secretary shall file an annual report on the operations of the fund, including funds received and expended, entities receiving grants and the projects benefiting from such grants, and any other relevant information, with the clerks of the House and Senate and the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means, not later than December 31 of each year.".

Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-879

TRP 879

Removing fees for veterans license plates

Mr. Montigny, Mrs. Dooner and Messrs. O'Connor and Tarr moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting the following sections:-

"SECTION X. Section 2 of chapter 90 is hereby amended by inserting after the words “are veterans, as defined in clause Forty-third of section 7 of chapter 4” the following words:- , section 1 of chapter 115, or who is eligible for the annuity provided under section 6C of said chapter 115

SECTION XX. Said section 2 of chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 466 through 469, inclusive, the sentence: “There shall be an annual $20 fee for such "VETERAN'' plates in addition to the established registration fee for private passenger motor vehicles and motorcycles.” and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:- Any such “VETERAN” plate shall be issued without fee other than the established registration fee for private passenger motor vehicles and motorcycles.".

Budget Amendment ID: FY2027-S4-881

TRP 881

Identification for youth and adults experiencing homelessness

Ms. Kennedy, Messrs. Keenan, Gomez, Cyr, Mark and Lewis, Ms. Rausch, Ms. Jehlen, Messrs. Eldridge, Brady and Collins, Ms. Howard and Messrs. O'Connor and Payano moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2E, in item 1595-6368, by adding the following words:- "; provided, that $50,000 shall be expended for providing state IDs for homeless youth and individuals”; and by striking out the figure "$604,961,384"; and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- "605,011,384";

and by inserting, after section 27, the follow section:-

"SECTION XXXX. Section 8E of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following 2 paragraphs:-

The regulations establishing criteria for identification cards shall include a process for a person who is homeless or is an unaccompanied homeless youth to apply for a Massachusetts identification card and to waive any fees associated with obtaining the identification card; provided, however, that the process shall allow for a person who is homeless or is an unaccompanied homeless youth to submit proof of residency by providing documentation that is satisfactory to the registrar and that is: (i) from an entity that provides housing services or youth services in the commonwealth, including, but not limited to, homeless service providers; or (ii) evidence of services that the person received from a department, division, office or agency of the executive office of health and human services. The registrar and the state secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding under section 42G ½ of chapter 51 to implement this paragraph, as appropriate. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Homeless”, shall have the same meaning as in section 103 of the federal Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, 42 USC 11302, as amended.

“Unaccompanied homeless youth”, a person who: (i) is 24 years of age or younger; (ii) is not in the physical custody or care of a parent or legal guardian; and (iii) lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.""