Massachusetts H3753: An Act relative to setting deadlines to electrify the commuter rail

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Chapter 21N of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following definitions:- “Zero-emission transit infrastructure”, electric multiple units, electric battery chargers, trolleybus and railway catenary wire, and other equipment to support the operation of electric vehicles. “Fully electrified service”, public transit conveyance that utilizes zero-emission transit infrastructure and does not produce direct emissions. SECTION 2. Said chapter 21N, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after Section 7, the following section:- Section 7½. (a) To contribute to the Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas reduction targets, the Secretary, in consultation with the department of energy resources, department of transportation, department of environmental protection, department of public utilities, and intergovernmental coordinating council established by the Acts of 2022, chapter 179, section 81 shall develop and enforce targets for public transit electrification across all modes of travel. Said targets shall be included and updated in all roadmap plans required under this chapter at the same intervals of sublimits required under section 3. (b) The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and its commuter rail contractor shall provide fully electrified service on the commuter rail system by December 31, 2035 and ensure sufficient zero-emission transit infrastructure is in place to accomplish said timeline. SECTION 3. (a) The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall develop …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Steven Owens (D, 29th Middlesex) · primary sponsor
• Adam Scanlon (D, 14th Bristol)
• Natalie Higgins (D, 4th Worcester)
• Danillo Sena (D)
• Tommy Vitolo (D, 15th Norfolk)
• Tarr, Andrew (D, 5th Essex)
• James Eldridge (D, Middlesex and Worcester)
• Samantha Montaño (D)
• Erika Uyterhoeven (D, 27th Middlesex)
• Lindsay Sabadosa (D, 1st Hampshire)
• Sean Reid (D)
• Vanna Howard (D, 17th Middlesex)

Latest actions

1. April 15, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5360
2. December 11, 2025: Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
3. August 25, 2025: Hearing scheduled for 09/16/2025 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM in B-2
4. February 27, 2025: Senate concurred
5. February 27, 2025: Referred to the committee on Transportation

Common questions

What is H3753?

H3753 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act relative to setting deadlines to electrify the commuter rail.

What is the status of H3753?

Failed as of April 15, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5360 (April 15, 2026).

Who sponsored H3753?

Steven Owens (D, 29th Middlesex), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H3753?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3753