BOSTON — The Massachusetts House passed House Bill 4307 on a roll call that produced a 156-0 tally, approving a bonding package to finance long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges across the Commonwealth.

Representative Arciero of Westford, who led floor remarks in support of the measure, said the bill proposes “approximately $1,200,000,000 in bonding for the Chapter 90 program, along with 3 additional key transportation programs and projects.” He described the proposal as a response to increased borrowing capacity in the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and urged a recorded vote.

The bill, as presented on the floor, includes a one-year authorization of $300 million for the Chapter 90 program — described in debate as a 50% increase over historical funding levels — with $200 million of that $300 million to be distributed to municipalities “based on the standard Chapter 90 program distribution formula, which is 58% for road mileage, 21% for population, and 21% for employment.” The remaining $100 million would be distributed based on each municipality’s share of local road mileage to provide additional support to rural communities.

Floor debate also outlined three other funding streams in the bill: $500 million for a life-cycle asset management program to aid non-federally aided roads and target pavement and bridges in the worst condition; $200 million for a culvert and small-bridge repair program for structures under 20 feet; and $185 million for capital projects to reduce congestion and support sidewalks, shared-use paths, intersection improvements, and railroad grade crossings.

Representative Finn of West Springfield framed the measure as fiscally responsible, pointing to the Commonwealth’s bond ratings and the flexibility the bill offers in choosing financing vehicles. “The CTF’s triple-A rating means comparable, if not lower interest rates than our GO bonds,” Finn said, arguing the structure could save money and preserve general obligation capacity for other needs.

Sponsors and proponents described the bill as building on a recent $550 million strategic increase in appropriations to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund that, they said on the floor, expanded borrowing capacity to about $3.47 billion. Supporters argued the mix of funding would help municipalities prepare for climate-related weather events, reduce the risk of road washouts by addressing culverts, and provide stable funding amid federal uncertainty.

On procedural steps, the bill was reported out of the Ways and Means Committee with an amendment and was ordered to a third reading before final passage. After roll-call voting stations closed, the clerk displayed the tally of 156 yes, 0 no; the bill was passed to be engrossed.

Discussion versus decision: floor debate included policy and fiscal arguments in support of the bill, while the roll-call vote constituted the formal action. No recorded amendments that changed the funding breakdown were described on the floor before the final vote in the transcript provided.

The bill now moves to the next steps required by legislative process (engrossment and transmission to the Senate). No dates for further action were provided on the floor during the recorded discussion.