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H3975 • 2025

An Act relative to establishing a commission to address double utility poles in the Commonwealth

An Act relative to establishing a commission to address double utility poles in the Commonwealth

Energy
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Paul McMurtry
Last action
2026-03-23
Official status
Accompanied H3487
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act relative to establishing a commission to address double utility poles in the Commonwealth

An Act relative to establishing a commission to address double utility poles in the Commonwealth By Representative McMurtry of Dedham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act relative to establishing a commission to address double utility poles in the Commonwealth By Representative McMurtry of Dedham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
  • 3975) of Paul McMurtry for legislation to establish a special commission to investigate double utility poles.
  • Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-23 House

    Accompanied H3487

  2. 2025-12-04 House

    Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026

  3. 2025-09-02 House

    Reporting date extended to Wednesday, December 3, 2025

  4. 2025-05-28 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 06/04/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2

  5. 2025-04-03 Senate

    Senate concurred

  6. 2025-03-31 House

    Referred to the committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Official Summary Text

An Act relative to establishing a commission to address double utility poles in the Commonwealth
By Representative McMurtry of Dedham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3975) of Paul McMurtry for legislation to establish a special commission to investigate double utility poles. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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Bill H.3975

(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.

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