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Bill

HD 63

An Act providing for a MassPort airline regulation study

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Marcus Vaughn

Directs MassPort to study the legality and impact of potential airline regulations in Massachusetts, including passenger protections, with a final report due by Jan 1, 2027.

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Bill Summary · HD 63

Summary: An Act providing for a MassPort airline regulation study (HD 63)

Overview

  • Bill number: HD 63 (House Docket No. 63)
  • Title: An Act providing for a MassPort airline regulation study
  • Sponsor: Representative Marcus S. Vaughn (Wrentham, 9th Norfolk)
  • Introduced: January 3, 2025
  • Status: Not enacted (introduced; filed as a proposed bill). The measure references a study conducted by the Massachusetts Port Authority (MassPort). A similar matter was filed in a prior session (House No. 3461 of 2023-2024).

Purpose and Intent

The bill directs MassPort to commission a study evaluating the regulation of airlines operating in Massachusetts. The core aim is to explore the legal implications of potential airline regulations within the commonwealth, including consumer protections in the event of flight disruptions.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1 — Mandate for a study:
    MassPort shall commission a study on the regulation of airlines doing business in Massachusetts. The study must examine possible legal implications of imposing certain regulations on airlines. The bill provides illustrative examples, including:
    • Requiring airlines to provide lodging to passengers after disruptions.
    • Requiring new flights or other forms of compensation to customers in the event of a flight cancellation.
  • Section 2 — Reporting requirement:
    MassPort must file a report with its findings on the legal implications of possible airline regulations. The report must be submitted to:
    • The Clerks of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate
    • The Joint Committee on Transportation
    • No later than January 1, 2027

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Airlines operating in Massachusetts: The study contemplates potential regulatory scenarios and their legal implications, which could influence how carriers are treated under state law.
  • Massachusetts Port Authority (MassPort): Responsible for commissioning the study and preparing the final report.
  • Consumers/Passengers: Provisions discussed in the illustrative examples (lodging, rebooking, compensation) reflect potential protections for passengers in cases of flight cancellations.
  • State policymakers: The report would inform future legislative or regulatory decisions on airline regulation within the commonwealth.

Timing and Process

  • The study is to be commissioned by MassPort, with an informational and analytical focus on potential regulations.
  • The final report is due by January 1, 2027, and must address legal implications of any regulations considered.
  • No specific appropriation or immediate regulatory changes are included in the bill; the measure is future-looking and advisory in nature.

Context

  • A similar proposal previously circulated as House No. 3461 in the 2023-2024 session, indicating ongoing interest in evaluating state-level airline regulation and consumer protections in Massachusetts.
  • This bill does not enact regulations itself; it authorizes a study to assess feasibility, legality, and potential impacts of regulatory options.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to potential federal constraints or summarize how similar studies have informed policy in other states.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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