An Act relative to establishing a commission to address double utility poles in the Commonwealth
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 3/23/2026 | House | Accompanied H3487↗ |
| 12/4/2025 | House | Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
| 9/2/2025 | House | Reporting date extended to Wednesday, December 3, 2025 |
| 5/28/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 06/04/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2 |
| 4/3/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 3/31/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy |
No additional cosponsors.
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J37 | Accompanied | — |
(a) There shall be a special commission established to study and implement a solution for the removal of double utility poles in the commonwealth that occurs when a replacement utility pole is built alongside an existing utility pole and neither the replacement utility pole nor the existing utility pole is removed. The commission shall consist of the following 6 members: (i) the secretary of the office of energy and environmental affairs or the secretary's designee, who shall serve as chair; (ii) a representative from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation; (iii) a representative from the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Inc.; (iv) a representative from Eversource Energy; (v) a representative from National Grid; and (vi) a representative from Unitil Resources, Inc. (b) The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) assessments on the current state of double utility poles in the commonwealth; (ii) identification of any possible legal, financial and regulatory barriers involving the removal of double utility poles; (iii) recommendations for legislation on removal of double utility poles; (iv) analysis on the economic implications of removing double utility poles in the commonwealth; (v) proposals on funding for the removal of double utility poles; and (vi) establishing best practices and procedures for the removal of double utility poles. (c) The commission shall prepare a report on its activities and on any findings and recommendations. Not later than December 31, 2026, the report shall be submitted to the: (i) chairs of the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy; (ii) chairs of the joint committee on transportation; (iii) chairs of the senate and house committees on ways and means; and (iv) offices of the house and senate clerk.
(a) There shall be a special commission established to study and implement a solution for the removal of double utility poles in the commonwealth that occurs when a replacement utility pole is built alongside an existing utility pole and neither the replacement utility pole nor the existing utility pole is removed. The commission shall consist of the following 6 members: (i) the secretary of the office of energy and environmental affairs or the secretary's designee, who shall serve as chair; (ii) a representative from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation; (iii) a representative from the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Inc.; (iv) a representative from Eversource Energy; (v) a representative from National Grid; and (vi) a representative from Unitil Resources, Inc. (b) The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) assessments on the current state of double utility poles in the commonwealth; (ii) identification of any possible legal, financial and regulatory barriers involving the removal of double utility poles; (iii) recommendations for legislation on removal of double utility poles; (iv) analysis on the economic implications of removing double utility poles in the commonwealth; (v) proposals on funding for the removal of double utility poles; and (vi) establishing best practices and procedures for the removal of double utility poles. (c) The commission shall prepare a report on its activities and on any findings and recommendations. Not later than December 31, 2026, the report shall be submitted to the: (i) chairs of the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy; (ii) chairs of the joint committee on transportation; (iii) chairs of the senate and house committees on ways and means; and (iv) offices of the house and senate clerk.