Massachusetts transportation bills

What it would do: Classifies app-based delivery workers as employees entitled to minimum wage for assigned and standby time, mileage reimbursement, and insurance coverage. Establishes regulatory oversight by the Department of Public Utilities Division over delivery network companies' rates, practices, and worker treatment, effective January 1, 2026.

What it would do: Establishes a commercial driver's license pilot program at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in Boston to provide classroom and off-site training for transit driving. The Registry of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations and collect fees from adult participants.

What it would do: Establishes a per-delivery assessment on delivery network companies: $0.20 for food, $0.50 for goods, $1.40 for alcohol and marijuana. Directs 50% of collected funds to small business grants in underserved communities and 50% to the MBTA.

What it would do: Allows farmers and forest product harvesters operating multiple vehicles under a single farm plate to pay one permit fee based on the vehicle with the greatest weight difference. Expands permit requirements to truck-trailer units and establishes a superload permit category for vehicles exceeding 199,000 pounds gross weight or specified dimensional thresholds.

What it would do: Establishes a grant program through the board of higher education to support training and education for the commercial trucking industry workforce, including truck drivers, mechanics, and technicians. Requires the registrar to provide information about trucking careers to learner's permit applicants.

What it would do: Defines rolling stock as trucks, tractors, trailers, and railcars used by common carriers to transport goods in interstate commerce, and exempts sales and storage or use of rolling stock from Massachusetts sales and use taxes.

What it would do: Imposes a quarterly highway use tax on carriers operating heavy trucks (26,000+ pounds, Class 8-13) on Massachusetts state highways, calculated by multiplying miles traveled by weight-based rates ranging from $0.0250 to $0.1750 per mile, effective January 1, 2027.

What it would do: Creates portable benefit accounts for app-based delivery drivers funded by delivery network companies at 4% of quarterly earnings, establishes occupational accident insurance requirements, mandates automobile liability insurance coverage, and classifies drivers as independent contractors.

What it would do: Requires Commonwealth purchases or leases of new medium- and heavy-duty trucks to be zero emission vehicles beginning July 1, 2025, with full fleet conversion by June 30, 2035, and delays implementation of California's Advanced Clean Trucks and Heavy-Duty Omnibus regulations until July 1, 2027.

What it would do: Prohibits any person from allowing a locomotive train engine to idle longer than 30 minutes. Requires the Department of Environmental Protection to investigate reported violations and conduct emission tests, with fines of at least $5,000 per violation if emissions exceed MBTA standards.

What it would do: Requires trains or light engines used for freight movement to operate with a crew of at least 2 persons, excluding hostler service or utility employees. Establishes fines of $250-$1,000 for first offense, $1,000-$5,000 for second offense within 3 years, and $5,000-$10,000 for third and subsequent offenses within 3 years.

What it would do: Requires warehouse employers with 100+ employees at one location or 500+ statewide to provide written quota descriptions to employees, maintain work speed records, and prohibits quotas preventing meal breaks or bathroom access. Establishes employee rights to request quota and performance data and protects workers from retaliation.

What it would do: Adds a definition of 'truck-trailer unit' to Massachusetts motor vehicle law and updates Chapter 85 Section 30A to include truck-trailer units alongside other vehicle types in its provisions.

What it would do: Amends Chapter 85 Section 30A to define superload vehicles as those exceeding 199,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or certain dimensional thresholds, and requires the department to implement an expedited permit application and fee schedule with flexible escort requirements.

What it would do: Creates Chapter 159B1/2 establishing requirements for delivery drivers and delivery network companies, including valid driver's license requirements, identifying apparel standards, and license verification procedures by the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

What it would do: Requires trains or light engines used for freight movement to operate with a crew of at least 2 persons, excluding hostler and utility employees. Establishes fines of $250-$1,000 for first offense, $1,000-$5,000 for second offense within 3 years, and $5,000-$10,000 for third and subsequent offenses within 3 years.

What it would do: Limits annual individual fee increases to 2.5 percent, requires a discount of at least 10 percent for registering 5 or more commercial units annually, and directs the registrar to report recommendations within 90 days to reduce commercial vehicle operating costs.

What it would do: Requires autonomous vehicles operating in Massachusetts to carry insurance covering general liability, product liability, cybersecurity risks, and personal injury protection, with minimum amounts set by the Division of Insurance. Establishes school zone safety protocols including 15 mph speed limits, pedestrian detection systems, and prohibits testing during active school hours.

What it would do: Requires motor vehicles with gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more operated by municipalities, Commonwealth instrumentalities, electric companies, gas companies, utilities, or wireless providers to be equipped with lateral protective devices, convex mirrors, crossover mirrors, and backup cameras on or after January 1, 2028.

What it would do: Amends Chapter 90 Section 9 of Massachusetts General Laws to require temporary non-reducible loads such as dumpsters, shipping containers, and pods left in vehicular traffic areas, lots, or roadways to have reflective tape adhered per Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration CFR 393.11.

What it would do: Requires trains or light engines used for freight movement to operate with a crew of at least 2 persons, excluding hostler service or utility employees. Establishes fines of $250-$1,000 for first offense, $1,000-$5,000 for second offense within 3 years, and $5,000-$10,000 for third and subsequent offenses within 3 years.

What it would do: Adds regulations for contract railroad crew transportation vehicles to Massachusetts law, requiring the Rail and Transit Division to establish rules for driver qualifications, safety training, insurance coverage of $5,000,000 combined liability and $1,000,000 uninsured motorist coverage, and driver disqualifications for traffic violations and drug/alcohol offenses.