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H 4725

Study Order

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Massachusetts H.4725 directs a Transportation Committee study on spare-tire rules to evaluate safety and feasibility, reporting findings and any draft legislation by Dec 31, 2026.

Discharged to the committee on House Rules
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Bill Summary · H 4725

Summary of Massachusetts House Bill H.4725 (Study Order)

Overview

H.4725, titled “Study Order,” is a non-binding procedural bill introduced on November 17, 2025. Its purpose is to authorize a formal investigation by the Massachusetts House of Representatives into issues raised by House Document 3694, which concerns spare tires and related driving rules. The bill directs the Transportation Committee to study the subject and report back with findings, recommendations, and any draft legislation needed to implement those recommendations.

Purpose and Intent

  • To authorize a comprehensive study of proposed spare-tire rules referenced in House Document 3694.
  • Specifically tied to potential legislation that would prohibit vehicles operating on a spare tire from driving in the passing lane.
  • The goal is to evaluate the merits, feasibility, safety implications, and policy details before any statutory changes are proposed.

Key Provisions

  • Authorization: The Committee on Transportation is empowered to sit during a recess of the General Court to investigate and study House Document 3694 regarding spare tires.
  • Reporting Requirement: The Transportation Committee must report the results of its investigation and study to the General Court, along with recommendations. If recommendations include statutory changes, drafts of legislation necessary to implement them should be included.
  • Deadline: The report (including any draft legislation) must be filed with the Clerk of the House on or before December 31, 2026.
  • Accompanying Material: The bill is accompanied by House Document 3694 (H.3694), which concerns prohibiting vehicles operating on a spare tire from using the passing lane.
  • Procedural Path: The bill was reported favorably by the Transportation Committee, referred to the Joint Rules Committee, and then discharged to the House Rules Committee for further action.

Timeline and Status

  • Introduced: November 17, 2025.
  • Legislative actions on the same day: Reported from the Transportation Committee; accompanying H.3694; order reported favorably; referred to Joint Rules; discharged to the House Rules Committee.
  • Current status: Discharged to the committee on House Rules.
  • Final reporting deadline: December 31, 2026.

Affected Parties

  • Legislative bodies: Transportation Committee and House Rules Committee (and broader General Court as the eventual recipient of the study findings).
  • Public policy stakeholders: Vehicle owners and drivers in Massachusetts who would be subject to any future rules about spare tires, highway lane usage, or related safety regulations (though no immediate rule changes occur under this bill itself).
  • The bill does not enact new requirements today; it authorizes a study that could inform future legislation.

Potential Impact

  • If the Transportation Committee determines a need for regulatory change, they would draft legislation to address spare-tire use in the passing lane and related safety considerations.
  • Any substantive changes would require subsequent legislative action beyond this study order.

Notes

  • This is an investigating/authorizing measure, not an enacted regulation. It sets a clear timetable for study and potential future legislative drafting based on the study's findings.

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

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