Current bills in the legislature

This page summarizes bills in the legislature that if passed would have an impact on passenger and/or freight rail service in our region of the state.

192nd Session (2021-2022)

An Act Relative to an Interstate Compact for Western MA Rail Service

House Bill H.3532
Filed by Rep. Mark (2nd Berkshire) and Rep. Sabadosa (1st Hampshire)

1/10/2022
Hearing before the Joint Committee on Transportation
Written Testimony in support of H.3532 (PDF) | Trains In The Valley
Written Testimony in support of H.3532 (PDF) | Western Mass Rail Coalition

3/14/2022
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means

An Act to establish fast, frequent, and reliable passenger rail service between Pittsfield and Boston via Springfield

Senate Bill S.2345
Filed by Sen. Lesser (First Hampden and Hampshire)

1/10/2022
Hearing before the Joint Committee on Transportation
Written Testimony in support of S.2345 (PDF) | Western Mass Rail Coalition

An Act funding a study of passenger service on the Housatonic rail line

House Bill H.3571
Filed by Rep. Pignatelli (4th Berkshire)

1/10/2022
Hearing before the Joint Committee on Transportation
Written Testimony in support of H.3571 (PDF) | Western Mass Rail Coalition

2/3/2022
Committee recommended ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means

An Act creating a New Deal for Transportation in the Commonwealth

Senate Bill S.2265
Filed by Sen. Boncore (First Suffolk and Middlesex)

3/3/2022
Reporting date extended to April 29, 2022

An Act Relative to Massachusetts’s Transportation Resources and Climate

Often referred to as the Transportation Bond Bill or the Infrastructure Bond Bill

Baker-Polito Administration Files $9.7 Billion Infrastructure Bond Bill
Press Release | Office of Governor Charlie Baker | March 17, 2022

House Bill H.4561
Filed by Governor Baker

5/18/2022
Reported out of Transportation Committee, New House draft | H.4798

6/21/2022
Second reading, New House draft | H.4897
Bill now includes $250 million for East-West Rail and a new commission to study what the governance structure should be for East-West Rail.

6/23/2022
The bill passed the House to be engrossed.

2023 State Budget

An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2023 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements

Commonly referred to as the Fiscal Year 2023 state budget

The current status can be found on this official link
FY2023 Budget

Trains In The Valley