HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 499 FILED ON: 1/25/2021
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 57
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
STATE HOUSE · BOSTON, MA 02133
(617) 725-4000
CHARLES D. BAKER KARYN POLITO
GOVERNOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
January 25, 2021
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives,
I am filing for your consideration a bill entitled “An Act Financing Improvements to
Municipal Roads and Bridges.”
This bill authorizes the Commonwealth to borrow $200 million to fund improvements to
municipally-owned roads and bridges through Chapter 90 grants. These grants reach each of our
351 cities and towns directly, continuing the strong tradition of partnership between the
Commonwealth and local communities. Swift passage of this legislation will ensure that the
Commonwealth’s roads and bridges can be kept in or moved toward a state of good repair.
Accordingly, I urge you to enact this legislation promptly.
Respectfully submitted
Charles D. Baker,
Governor
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 HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 57
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)
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An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges.
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to
finance improvements to the commonwealth’s transportation system, therefore it is hereby
declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public
convenience.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. To provide for a program of transportation development and improvements,
2 the sum set forth in section 2 for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in
3 this act, is hereby made available, subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public
4 funds. The sum made available in this act shall be in addition to any amounts previously
5 appropriated or made available for these purposes.
6 SECTION 2.
7 MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
8 Highway Division
9 6122-2125. For the construction and reconstruction of municipal ways as described in
10 clause (b) of the second paragraph of section 4 of chapter 6C of the General Laws; provided, that
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11 a city or town shall comply with the procedures established by the Massachusetts Department of
12 Transportation; provided further, that a city or town may expend, without further appropriation,
13 for these projects amounts not in excess of the amount provided to the city or town under this
14 item upon preliminary notice of such amount, which shall be provided by the department to the
15 city or town not later than March 1 of each year; and provided further, that the commonwealth
16 shall reimburse a city or town under this item, subject to the availability of funds as provided in
17 section 9G of chapter 29 of the General Laws, within 30 days after receipt by the department of a
18 request for reimbursement from the city or town, which request shall include certification by the
19 city or town that actual expenses have been incurred on projects eligible for reimbursement
20 under this item and that the work has been completed to the satisfaction of the city or town
21 according to the specifications of the project and in compliance with applicable laws and
22 procedures established by the department…………………………………………...$200,000,000
23 SECTION 3. To meet the expenditures necessary in carrying out section 2, the state
24 treasurer shall, upon request of the governor, issue and sell bonds of the commonwealth in an
25 amount to be specified by the governor from time to time but not exceeding, in the aggregate,
26 $200,000,000. All bonds issued by the commonwealth as aforesaid shall be designated on their
27 face, Commonwealth Transportation Improvement Act of 2021, and shall be issued for a
28 maximum term of years, not exceeding 30 years, as the governor may recommend to the general
29 court under section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution. All such bonds
30 shall be payable not later than June 30, 2056, pursuant to said Section 3 of Article LXII of the
31 Amendments to the Constitution. All interest and payments on account of principal on these
32 obligations shall be payable from the General Fund. Notwithstanding any other general or special
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33 law to the contrary, bonds issued under this section and interest thereon shall be general
34 obligations of the commonwealth.
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