Senate advances $1.185 billion Chapter 90 transportation financing; emergency preamble adopted

Senate members voted to advance House Bill 4307, the long-term financing package for municipal roads and bridges commonly called Chapter 90, and adopted the bill's emergency preamble in a standing count.

The measure, described on the floor by Senator Crichton, authorizes $1,185,000,000 in borrowing to fund municipal road and bridge repairs and related capital projects. “I rise today in support of House Bill 4307, an act financing the long term improvements to municipal roads and bridges, also known as chapter 90,” Crichton said during floor debate.

Why it matters: The bill represents a substantial increase over recent Chapter 90 authorizations and includes funding aimed at regional equity and climate resilience. Proponents said the scale of borrowing and the targeted formulas will let cities and towns accelerate repairs and address congestion and resiliency needs.

Key provisions and amounts: The legislation directs $200,000,000 for Chapter 98 standard allocations, an additional $100,000,000 targeted to a road-miles-only formula intended to benefit rural communities, $500,000,000 for bridge and pavement life-cycle asset-management programs focused on climate resiliency, $200,000,000 for culvert and small-bridge repair and replacement, and $185,000,000 for capital projects to ease congestion.

Floor debate and amendments: Senator Crichton and Senate leaders framed the bill as both routine infrastructure support and a chance to incorporate longer-term financing strategies. Senator Tarr noted past debates about extending authorization lengths to two years to provide greater predictability to municipalities and urged quick enactment to capture the construction season. Senator Keenan offered an amendment that would have required municipalities to report unspent Chapter 90 balances and planned use; the amendment failed on a voice vote. A bipartisan amendment intended to earmark funding for Lawrence Municipal Airport was offered and not adopted.

Votes and formal action: The Senate moved the bill to engrossment during the session and later adopted the emergency preamble on a recorded standing vote, with 9 members voting in the affirmative and 0 in the negative. The clerk recorded and announced that the emergency preamble was adopted.

What remains: The bill was advanced toward final enactment; enactment of bond measures requires a further roll-call vote at the time of enactment on the governor's desk. Senators on the floor urged swift final action to ensure municipalities can access funds for the upcoming construction season.

Ending: Supporters stressed the legislation’s mix of routine Chapter 90 funding and new targeted investments intended to promote equity and resiliency in municipal infrastructure across the Commonwealth.