Bill > H3415

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Transportation and Environment Equity Fund to provide funding for public transit expansion projects. The key provisions are: - The fund will be financed through new fees, including a "green fee" on vehicle registrations, an "emissions fee" based on miles driven, a rental car fee, and a parking fee, as well as a portion of the state's existing fuel tax and commercial truck tolls. - The Secretary of Transportation will rank proposed transit projects based on criteria like cost-effectiveness, economic benefits, and service to environmental justice communities. The top-ranked project will receive funding first, with subsequent projects funded as the fund accumulates sufficient resources. - The bill establishes district improvement financing districts around new transit stations to generate additional local revenue for the projects. - The bill also requires prevailing wage protections for construction workers and directs the planning agencies to coordinate with municipalities on transit-oriented development around new stations. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to preserve the right-of-way for the proposed North-South Rail Link connecting North and South Stations in Boston.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H3415