Substitute Bill No. 1142 - Summary

• Establishes a Strategic Transportation Planning Commission within the Executive Department composed of the Commissioners of Transportation and Economic and Community Development, three Governor-appointed members with expertise in tax policy and transportation, and four legislative appointees representing leadership from both chambers.

• Requires the commission to submit a comprehensive report and proposed legislation by January 17, 2020, defining overarching goals for state transportation investment and financing.

• Commission report must include assessments of transportation assets in good repair and at high risk of failure, with 30-year maintenance cost projections; a prioritized list of strategic expansion projects; and a comprehensive sustainable funding plan considering current revenues, new taxes or fees, and debt financing options.

• Mandates the commission to hold at least one public hearing in each county and review the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Capital Investment Plan while emphasizing preventive maintenance and long-term cost minimization.

• Requires joint standing committees of the General Assembly to hold a public hearing on the report by March 5, 2020, and directs the commission to continue meeting and issue biennial reports evaluating implementation progress.