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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3161 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3158
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michelle L. Ciccolo
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act establishing the municipal utility corridor public access program.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Michelle L. Ciccolo15th Middlesex1/19/2023 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3161 FILED ON: 1/20/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3158
By Representative Ciccolo of Lexington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3158) of
Michelle L. Ciccolo that the Department of Public Utilities establish a municipal utility corridor
public access program. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act establishing the municipal utility corridor public access program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 25 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
2section 23 the following section:-
3 Section 24. (a) The Department of Public Utilities shall establish a municipal utility
4corridor public access program. The program shall establish a process for a municipality to enter
5into an agreement with an electric company, distribution company, generation company,
6transmission company, or private railroad company that uses land or rights of way as a
7transportation or utility corridor or for transmission service in said municipality, to permit public
8access for transportation and recreational purposes without imposing a charge or fee.
9 (b) The agreement shall include the type of uses that will be allowed, the party
10responsible for trail construction and maintenance, roles and responsibilities of municipalities,
11and other matters related to public access. 2 of 2
12 (c) In accordance with section 17c of chapter 21, an electric company, distribution
13company, generation company, private railroad company, or transmission company shall not be
14liable for personal injuries or property damage sustained by members of the public.