Sen. Comerford files bill to place MassDOT highway and street workers in Group 2 of state contributory retirement system

BOSTON — Sen. Joanne M. Comerford filed a bill on Jan. 14, 2025, to place certain Massachusetts Department of Transportation employees in Group 2 of the state contributory retirement system. The bill was submitted to the Senate as Senate No. 1804 and referred to the Committee on Public Service.

The legislation amends Section 3 of Chapter 32 of the General Laws by inserting, after the words “Cushing hospital,” the phrase “; and highway and street construction and maintenance workers of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.” The filing records the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court (2025–2026) as the session in which the bill was presented.

The filing lists Sen. Joanne M. Comerford (Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester) as the sponsor and includes David Holway among the petitioners. The text in the bill itself provides the precise statutory change being proposed but does not include findings, fiscal notes, or details about which specific job titles or bargaining units at MassDOT the language would cover.

Because the filing is an amendment to a statutory list in Chapter 32, the bill would change how the named employees are categorized under the contributory retirement system if enacted. The Senate filing form indicates referral to Public Service, which is the usual committee placement for retirement and public-employee classification matters; further committee action and any votes would determine whether the bill advances.

No votes or committee actions on the bill are recorded in the filing text. The bill, as submitted, does not specify implementation details such as effective dates, transition rules, or estimated fiscal impact.

Next steps: the bill will proceed through the Committee on Public Service for hearings, possible amendment, and any subsequent floor action in the Senate and House.