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SD 7

Department of Public Utilities Unified Carrier Registration Trust Fund 2024 Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Formalizes the DPU’s 2024 UCR Trust Fund Report; shows revenue $1,643,822, expenses $2,730,963, ending balance $695,144, funding 14 staff and enforcement; no new appropriation.

Placed on file
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Bill Summary · SD 7

Summary: SD 7 — Department of Public Utilities Unified Carrier Registration Trust Fund 2024 Report

Status: Placed on file. Introduced January 6, 2025.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill centers on submitting and placing on file the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities’ (DPU) 2024 Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Trust Fund Report. The action provides the Legislature with a detailed accounting of the fund’s financial activity and current balance for the reporting period.
  • It serves as a transparency and accountability measure, documenting how the UCR Trust Fund has been funded and spent, and how the fund supports DPU operations related to the Federal Unified Carrier Registration program.

Key provisions and changes

  • The bill incorporates the DPU’s 2024 UCR Trust Fund Report, as transmitted to the Legislature per M.G.L. c. 25, § 12R.
  • Report period: November 22, 2023, through November 6, 2024.
  • Financial highlights included in the report:
    • Revenue collected: $1,643,822.75
    • Expenditures: $2,730,963.06
    • Beginning unexpended (FY2023 reported balance): $1,782,284.68
    • Ending unexpended balance: $695,144.37
  • Expenditure uses described in the report:
    • Payroll and administration costs for the UCR program, including vehicle costs, office supplies, training, travel, and staff reimbursements.
    • Staffing: fourteen full-time employees to administer the Federal Unified Carrier Registration program.
    • Enforcement activities conducted in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police.

Who or what is affected

  • Primary: Department of Public Utilities and its personnel (14 full-time staff assigned to UCR administration and enforcement).
  • Related: Massachusetts State Police (enforcement collaboration).
  • Indirect: Motor carriers and other entities subject to the UCR program, as the fund finances the DPU’s administration and enforcement activities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The report was transmitted to the General Court and relevant clerks in January 2025, with a letter dated January 2, 2025.
  • The bill itself is categorized as a proposed bill and, at this time, is “placed on file” (no immediate further legislative action required or approved within this bill).
  • The statutory basis for the report is Massachusetts General Law Chapter 25, Section 12R.

Potential impact and considerations

  • The bill primarily formalizes and conserves legislative visibility of the DPU’s UCR Trust Fund finances for the specified period.
  • It highlights that, during the period, expenditures exceeded revenues, drawing down the unexpended balance, which could inform ongoing budgeting and staffing decisions for the UCR program.
  • There are no new appropriations or policy changes enacted by this bill; it is a reporting and record-keeping measure.

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

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