H3637 — An Act implementing free public transit

Summary

An Act implementing free public transit

Bill Text

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The bill establishes the Public Transportation Affordability Fund and mandates free public transportation services while modifying tax provisions related to the fund's revenue.

• Chapter 10

  Section 35QQQ. (a) There shall be set upon the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Public Transportation Affordability Fund to be administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. There shall be credited to the fund: (i) amounts collected pursuant to clause (v) of paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of section 39 of chapter 63; (ii) all revenues or other financing sources directed to the fund by appropriation, including revenues collected pursuant to Article CXXI of the Massachusetts Constitution; and (iii) any income derived from the investing of all amounts credited to the fund. Monies credited to the fund may be expended by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority established pursuant to section 2 of chapter 161A, and regional transit authorities, established pursuant to section 3 of chapter 161B, without further appropriation, for the purpose of funding free public transportation services. (b) The department shall annually file a report with the governor, clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the joint committee on transportation detailing the activity of the fund.

  This creates a new fund dedicated to financing free public transportation.

• Chapter 63, section 39

  or (iv) for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2012, 8.0 per cent of its net income determined to be taxable in accordance with this chapter → (iv) for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2012, 8.0 per cent of its net income determined to be taxable in accordance with this chapter; or (v) for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, 8.75 per cent of its net income determined to be taxable in accordance with this chapter; provided, however, that an amount equal to 0.75 per cent of the business corporation’s net income determined to be taxable pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Public Transportation Affordability Fund.

  This modification increases the tax rate for certain businesses and allocates a portion of revenue to the new fund.

• Chapter 161A

  Section 53. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the authority shall not collect a fare from riders for the use of bus transportation services.

  This mandates that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority must provide bus services free of charge.

• Chapter 161A

  Section 54. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the authority shall not collect a fare from riders for the use of rapid transit, light rail or commuter rail transportation services.

  This mandates that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority must provide rapid transit, light rail, and commuter rail services free of charge.

• Chapter 161B

  Section 28. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, no regional transit authority shall collect a fare from riders for the use of bus transportation services.

  This mandates that regional transit authorities must provide bus services free of charge.

Sponsors

• Mike Connolly · Primary

Subjects