Legislation
News topics:
With Last-Minute Legislating, Roadway Safety Bill Finally Becomes Law
“An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities” would establish a suite of new regulations intended to improve safety on Massachusetts roadways.
December 28, 2022
New Road Safety Law Stalled (Again) in the State House
House bill 5103, “An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities,” would establish a suite of new regulations intended to improve safety on Massachusetts roadways.
December 23, 2022
Cities and Feds Work on Accessibility Guidelines for Curbside Car-Charging Stations
“At present, there are no federal regulations specifying accessibility requirements for EV charging stations to ensure that they are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities,” according to the U.S. Access Board.
November 16, 2022
Cambridge Repeals All Minimum Car Parking Requirements for New Buildings
The new zoning rules have been in the works since April, when co-sponsors Burhan Azeem, Quinton Zondervan and Marc McGovern passed a policy order calling on city staff to draft new zoning language that would eliminate minimum parking requirements from city laws.
October 25, 2022
Evidence Suggests That Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants Will Improve Street Safety
This November, Massachusetts voters will decide whether to keep or repeal a new law that supporters say make our roads safer by allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for a driver’s license.
October 19, 2022
Gov. Baker Sends Traffic Safety Bill Back to Legislators With Objections to Safer Speed Limits and Passing Rules
The Governor proposed several amendments, including a simpler 3-foot minimum distance for motor vehicles passing bikes and pedestrians, and striking language that would let cities and towns reduce speed limits to 25 mph on state-owned roadways, including the Department of Conservation and Recreation's dangerous "parkways."
September 26, 2022
Legislature Approves Long-Stalled Traffic Safety Bill With Compromises on Bike Light Requirements
The version of the legislation which passed both the House and Senate this week includes a compromise: the new lighting rules can’t be the primary purpose for a police stop, and can’t be used as conclusive evidence of contributory negligence in a civil suit.
September 16, 2022
Last-Minute Legislation Legalizes (Some) E-Bikes, Axes Low-Income Fares, and Throws More Cash At EVs
Despite a late effort by the Senate to revive legislation requiring the MBTA and regional transit authorities to implement low-income fare discounts, the provision went missing from the final agreement.
August 1, 2022
New Bill Would Create an Incentive to Go Car-Free in California
Bill from Senator Portantino would offer a tax credit to people who do not own cars
June 6, 2022
The Infrastructure Bill: What’s In It For Us?
President Biden's $1.2-trillion "infrastructure" bill passed the House late on Friday evening and was hailed by a POTUS needing a win as a “once-in-a-generation investment.” But what's really in it?
November 7, 2021