SECTION 172.
There shall be a water transportation advisory council to create a vision for a comprehensive system of water transportation services to serve the commonwealth's ferry passengers, including commuters and tourists, in a safe, secure, environmentally sustainable and efficient manner. The council shall include, but not be limited to: the secretary of transportation who shall serve as the chair; the general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on transportation; the president and 1 additional officer of Boston Harbor Now, Inc.; the executive director of the Seaport Economic Council; the general manager of the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority; the chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Port Authority; representatives of the private ferry operations industry; the mayors of the cities of Boston, Lynn, New Bedford, Quincy and Salem; and the town managers of the towns of Hingham, Hull, Provincetown and Winthrop. Membership shall be expanded as considered appropriate upon consensus of the council.
The council shall: (i) identify an overall vision for the ferry system to enable the transportation of people, goods and vehicles by water; (ii) develop a series of goals and objectives to support the overall vision; (iii) identify implementable policies and improvements including, but not limited to, investment of public funds to support operating and capital expenses for existing and new ferry services; and (iv) support the state agencies and independent authorities responsible for planning, designing, constructing, operating, funding and maintaining the ferry transportation infrastructure facilities.
The council shall prepare and make available to the public a report summarizing its work not less than every 6 months.
The council shall be administratively supported by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The council shall conduct its first meeting not more than 90 days after the effective date of this act and shall conduct meetings not less than quarterly thereafter.
Veto Explanation:
I am vetoing this section because the proposed council is duplicative of ongoing efforts within and outside of state government.