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Bill

SD 1988

An Act to review the municipal Chapter 90 transportation funding program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Mark

The bill would create a nine-member Chapter 90 Commission to review and potentially adjust the municipal funding formula for road and sidewalk projects to ensure sufficiency, equit

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Bill Summary · SD 1988

Summary: An Act to review the municipal Chapter 90 transportation funding program (Senate Docket No. 1988)

Purpose and intent

This proposed bill would establish a formal, independent review of Massachusetts’ municipal transportation funding program known as Chapter 90. Its core aim is to assess whether the current formula used to reimburse municipalities for vehicle and pedestrian infrastructure maintenance and capital projects is sufficient, effective, and equitable to keep roads and sidewalks in a state of good repair. The bill would require a comprehensive evaluation that accounts for regional differences and communities’ fiscal capacities, with a plan to adjust the funding formula as needed.

Key provisions

  • SECTION 1 – Creation of the Chapter 90 Commission:
    The Department of Transportation (MassDOT) would create a “Chapter 90 Commission” to evaluate the municipal infrastructure reimbursement program authorized by Section 34 of Chapter 90 and administered under Chapter 6C.

  • SECTION 2 – Commission composition:
    The nine-member commission would include:

    • Two community representatives from the Massachusetts Municipal Association (one from a rural community and one from a suburban community);
    • One community representative from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council;
    • One community representative from the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies (from a gateway city);
    • One member chosen by the Massachusetts Highway Association;
    • Three members appointed by the Governor;
    • The commission would be chaired by the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary’s designee.

  • SECTION 3 – Scope and reporting responsibilities:
    The commission would:

    • Investigate the sufficiency, effectiveness, and equity of the current Chapter 90 reimbursement formula for vehicle and pedestrian infrastructure maintenance and capital projects;
    • Evaluate whether the formula enables municipalities to maintain facilities in a state of good repair;
    • Consider regional variation, geography, socioeconomic factors, population density, and communities’ fiscal capacities in assessing the formula’s suitability;
    • Produce a report with recommendations to adjust the formula as needed, and submit the report to MassDOT and the House and Senate Clerks within 365 days of the act’s passage.

Who is affected

  • Municipalities and local governments relying on Chapter 90 funds for road and pedestrian infrastructure.
  • MassDOT, which administers Chapter 90 funding, and legislative leaders who would consider any recommended formula changes.
  • Regions and communities (urban, suburban, rural, gateway cities) that could be differently impacted depending on reform recommendations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill establishes a formal review process with a nine-member commission.
  • The commission must deliver its findings and recommendations within 365 days after the act’s passage.
  • The act, as drafted, directs the report to MassDOT and the clerks of the House and Senate; it does not specify immediate changes to funding allocations, but it could pave the way for subsequent legislation or administrative reforms.

Notes

  • Based on the bill text, the project is positioned for the 2025-2026 General Court session as a proposed measure. The proposed commission emphasizes broad stakeholder input, including local, regional, and state perspectives, to reexamine how Chapter 90 funds are distributed and whether the current formula achieves equitable, regionally appropriate outcomes.

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

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