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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1987 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2416
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Paul W. Mark
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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 relative to an interstate compact for western MA rail service.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Paul W. MarkBerkshire, Hampden, Franklin and
Hampshire 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1987 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2416
By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2416) of Paul W. Mark for legislation
relative to an interstate compact for western MA rail service. Transportation.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2266 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to an interstate compact for western MA rail service.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 The secretary of transportation is hereby authorized and directed to develop, participate
2in the development of, negotiate and enter into compacts on behalf of the Commonwealth with
3the states of Connecticut, New York, and Vermont, or any appropriate agency or jurisdiction
4thereof, to implement the following purposes:
5 (a) It shall be the purpose of this compact, through means of joint and cooperative action
6among the compacting states to: (i) establish permanent commuter rail service between the cities
7of New Haven and Brattleboro including stops in Greenfield, Holyoke, Northampton, and
8Springfield; (ii) establish permanent commuter rail service between the cities of Worcester and
9Albany including stops in Pittsfield, Chester, Springfield, and Palmer; (iii) explore the extension
10of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program along the Knowledge Corridor through 2 of 2
11Holyoke, Northampton, Greenfield, and Brattleboro; (iv) publicly promote permanent commuter
12rail services connecting Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties to Albany,
13Boston, Brattleboro, Hartford, and New Haven, and undertake efforts to ensure the success of
14permanent commuter rail service in Western Massachusetts.
15 (b) It shall be the policy of the compacting states that the activities conducted by any
16interstate commissions created are the formation of public policies and therefore are public
17business. Furthermore, the compacting states shall cooperate and observe their individual and
18collective duties and responsibilities to ensure the success of any programs established. The
19provisions of this compact shall be reasonably and liberally construed to accomplish the
20purposes and policies of the compact.