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S 2253

Relates to the establishment and the reporting of residential water cost indexes

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie and 1 co-sponsor

The bill increases transparency and adds a 6.25% rider assessment on pre-arranged rides to fund local transit and congestion efforts, while permitting municipalities to adopt conge

REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
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Bill Summary · S 2253

Summary — S.2253 (2025): "An Act to reduce congestion and encourage shared rides"

Note: the bill text provided addresses transportation network companies and shared-ride policy. The initial metadata included an unrelated title about residential water cost indexes; this summary follows the bill text concerning shared rides and congestion.

Purpose

The bill seeks to reduce roadway congestion and encourage shared-ride use by (1) requiring reporting and disclosure from transportation network companies (TNCs), (2) mandating clearer fare estimates (including surge and shared-ride cost comparisons), and (3) enabling municipalities to impose a limited congestion assessment to fund local transportation and active‑mobility investments.

Key provisions

  • Reporting and public posting (amends Section 8 of Chapter 187 of the Acts of 2016):

    • Each TNC must submit monthly data to the Division director: number of rides from the previous month originating in each city/town and amount collected from rider-assessments.
    • The Division must post the aggregate number of rides from the previous calendar year by city/town on its website annually (by June 30).
    • Establishes a rider‑assessment equal to 6.25% of the total fare for a pre-arranged ride.
    • Rider-assessments do not apply to pre-arranged rides requested through public-entity programs (including paratransit-eligible programs).

  • Definitions (adds to M.G.L. chapter 159A½):

    • Defines “For-Hire Transportation Trip” as a single‑passenger, pre-arranged ride requested via a TNC digital network (excludes state agency/contracted transportation).

  • Fare transparency (amends Section 2 of chapter 159A½):

    • TNCs must provide clear, conspicuous fare estimates at all times (including during surge/high-demand periods).
    • Fare displays must show the price increase from surge pricing and the price difference between shared rides and single-occupancy rides.
    • Reiterates the public-program exemption for the per-ride assessment.

  • Municipal congestion assessment and regulatory preemption (amends Section 10 of chapter 159A½):

    • A municipality that adopts the provision may impose a congestion assessment up to $2.25 per ride; revenues must be dedicated to municipal public transit, bicycle/pedestrian projects, and EV charging infrastructure.
    • Municipalities (except the Massachusetts Port Authority) may not require additional licenses of TNCs/drivers or subject TNCs to local rates/entry/operational requirements, though they may regulate traffic flow for public safety.

  • Repeals:

    • Section 18 and Section 10 (as identified in the bill text) are repealed (the bill does not specify the statutory source in the summary text).

Who is affected

  • Transportation network companies (reporting, disclosure, assessment collection responsibilities).
  • Riders (may see a 6.25% rider-assessment on certain pre-arranged rides unless part of public programs; enhanced fare transparency).
  • Municipalities (may opt into a $2.25 congestion assessment and receive dedicated revenue; limited local regulatory authority over TNC licensing and operational rules).
  • Public programs/paratransit users (explicit exemption from rider-assessment).

Procedural status / timeline (as provided)

  • Filed: January 16, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 1288).
  • Hearing scheduled May 6, 2025.
  • Advanced and passed the Senate (reported as passed May 14, 2025).
  • Referred to the House Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions (May 14, 2025).
  • Additional entries in the docket show readings and committee referrals; sponsors and some dates in the metadata vary from the bill text.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Could incentivize shared rides by making cost differences transparent to riders.
  • Generates local revenue for transit and active‑transportation projects where municipalities adopt the congestion assessment.
  • Imposes new reporting and administrative burdens on TNCs; compliance costs may be passed to riders.
  • Exceptions for public-entity programs aim to protect paratransit and similar services.
  • The bill contains language preempting many local TNC regulations, concentrating regulatory consistency at the state level while preserving traffic/safety controls for municipalities.

If you want, I can (1) produce a side‑by‑side comparison with current M.G.L. sections amended by the bill, (2) draft a one‑page memo on likely fiscal effects, or (3) prepare talking points for municipal officials.

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

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