Bill
H 3786
Authorizes distinctive firefighter motorcycle plates for municipal firefighters (active or retired in good standing) with a $10 fee boosting the Firefighters Academy Trust Fund.
Status highlights
- Bill number: H 3786 (House Docket No. 2821)
- Introduced: filed 01/16/2025 (presented by Rep. Todd M. Smola; Rep. Steven G. Xiarhos added 03/11/2025)
- Committee referral: Referred to Transportation (02/27/2025)
- Actions: Senate concurred (02/27/2025); Hearing scheduled 10/07/2025 (11:00 AM — 1:00 PM, A‑1)
- Classification: Bill (text inserted into Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90)
- Note: The packet also contains unrelated text (a South Carolina House resolution honoring “Lifelong Learning @ Rock Hill”); the operative Massachusetts bill text creates firefighter motorcycle plates.
Purpose and intent
- To authorize the Massachusetts Registrar of Motor Vehicles to issue a distinctive motorcycle license plate recognizing municipal firefighters (both active members and members retired in good standing), and to direct a modest additional fee associated with issuance and renewal to the Massachusetts Firefighters Academy Trust Fund.
Key provisions
- Statutory change: Inserts a new Section 6D into Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws (immediately after existing Section 6C).
- Eligibility: Special firefighter motorcycle plates are available to members of any municipal fire department and to members retired in good standing.
- Vehicle scope: Plates are for use on private motorcycles owned and operated by eligible firefighters.
- Certification requirement: No plate may be issued or renewed until the head of the applicant’s fire department certifies that the applicant is or was a member of that department.
- Fees: Applicants must pay the standard motorcycle registration fee required under Section 33. In addition, an extra $10 fee (for issuance and for renewal) will be collected by the registrar and deposited into the Massachusetts Firefighters Academy Trust Fund (pursuant to Section 165A of Chapter 6).
Who is affected
- Eligible municipal firefighters (active and retired in good standing) who own private motorcycles — they may apply for a distinctive plate.
- Registrar of Motor Vehicles — will implement plate design, eligibility verification, fee collection, and trust-fund transfers.
- Massachusetts Firefighters Academy Trust Fund — will receive additional revenue from the $10 surcharge for each plate issued or renewed. The total fiscal impact depends on the number of plates issued/renewed (not estimated in the bill text).
Procedural and timeline notes
- Similar legislation was filed in the prior session (House No. 3427, 2023–2024).
- The bill was referred to the Transportation Committee and a public hearing was scheduled for 10/07/2025. Further committee action, enactment, or any effective date would depend on the Legislature’s subsequent votes and any gubernatorial action.
Limitations and scope
- The bill’s eligibility language specifies “municipal fire department,” which may exclude members of non‑municipal or state firefighting organizations unless covered by local statute or policy. The plate is limited to private motorcycles (not commercial vehicles).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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