Bill > H3029

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Rail Transit Fund, a dedicated source of funding for rail projects, by creating new fees and directing existing revenue streams into it. Vehicle inspection facilities will be required to report vehicle mileage, make, model, owner, and license plate information to the registrar of motor vehicles, who will maintain a database of this data. The bill also introduces a "green fee" based on vehicle classification, with different amounts for various types of vehicles like automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles, though zero-emission vehicles and certain government-owned vehicles are exempt. Additionally, an "emissions fee" will be collected during vehicle inspections, calculated based on mileage driven since the last inspection, and a 5% surcharge will be applied to both car rental transactions and parking fees, with all collected funds going into the new Massachusetts Rail Transit Fund. This fund will then be used to finance rail projects, prioritizing those that provide new service to underserved areas or enhance existing service, with a specific focus on preserving the right-of-way for the proposed North-South Rail Link.