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MassachusettsS 3230194th General Court (2025-2026)Senate

An Act authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to acquire interests in certain portions of land owned by the town of Andover which were acquired by the town for Article XCVII purposes

Sponsored By: Barry R. Finegold (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Rules of the two branches, acting concurrentlyState Administration and Regulatory OversightHouse Ways and MeansHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Waiver on replacement land for tiny parcels

The Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs can waive the usual rule to provide replacement land for transfers under this act. A waiver applies only if the land is under 2,500 square feet, has little natural or recreation value, and the transfer serves a significant public interest.

Small Andover land easement for bridge work

The law lets MassDOT take two small permanent easements, about 704 square feet total, from Andover conservation land. The easements are only for guy wires, removing a guardrail, and special slope paving for the Tewksbury Street bridge over the CSX Railroad. MassDOT must pay all engineering, survey, appraisal, deed, and related costs to complete these transfers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Barry R. Finegold

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 181 • No: 0

House vote • 7/31/2026

Enacted

Yes: 152 • No: 0

committee vote • 7/31/2026

Committee Favorable with Amendment: S.3230 “An Act authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to acquire interests in certain portions of land owned by the town of Andover which were acquired by the town for Article XCVII purposes” as amended

Yes: 23 • No: 0 • Other: 11

committee vote • 7/30/2026

Committee Favorable: Ought to pass

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor, Chapter 164 of the Acts of 2026

    8/5/2026

  2. Laid before the Governor

    7/31/2026Senate

  3. Enacted -see Roll Call #237 (Yeas 39 to Nays 0)

    7/31/2026Senate

  4. Enacted - 152 YEAS to 0 NAYS (See YEA and NAY No. 269)

    7/31/2026House

  5. Emergency preamble adopted

    7/31/2026Senate

  6. Emergency preamble adopted

    7/31/2026House

  7. Senate concurred in the House amendment

    7/31/2026Senate

  8. Rules suspended

    7/31/2026Senate

  9. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    7/31/2026House

  10. Rules suspended

    7/31/2026House

  11. Ordered to a third reading

    7/31/2026House

  12. Read second, amended (as recommended by the committee on House Ways and Means)

    7/31/2026House

  13. Rules suspended

    7/31/2026House

  14. Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting with the amendment pending

    7/31/2026House

  15. Committee recommended ought to pass with an amendment, striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting the text of H5635, and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

    7/31/2026House

  16. Read; and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means

    7/30/2026House

  17. Read, rules suspended, read second, ordered to a third reading, read third and passed to be engrossed

    7/30/2026Senate

  18. Bill reported favorably by committee

    7/30/2026Senate

  19. Hearing rescheduled to 07/30/2026 from 04:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1 <br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>

    7/30/2026legislature

  20. Hearing rescheduled to 07/30/2026 from 04:00 PM-04:10 AM in A-1 <br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>

    7/30/2026legislature

  21. Hearing scheduled for 07/30/2026 from 04:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1

    7/29/2026legislature

  22. House concurred

    7/29/2026House

  23. Referred to the committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

    7/22/2026Senate

  24. Rules suspended

    7/22/2026Senate

  25. Referred to the committee on Rules of the two branches, acting concurrently

    7/1/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Chapter 164 of the Acts of 2026

    8/5/2026

    PDF

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