reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 6c § 19 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 19 - Eminent Domain Powers of Department

Section 19. (a) The department may take by eminent domain in accordance with the provisions of chapter 79 or any alternative method now or hereafter provided by general law, any public land and any fee simple absolute or lesser interest in private property or part thereof or rights therein as it may deem necessary for carrying out the provisions of this chapter.  (b) Whenever a parcel of private property so taken is used in whole or in part for residential purposes, the owner of such parcel may, within 30 days of the date of the department's notice to vacate such parcel, appeal to the department for a postponement of the date set for such vacating, whereupon the department shall grant to the owner a postponement of 3 months from the date of such appeal; provided, however, that the appeal for such postponement shall be in the form of a written request to the department sent by registered mail, return receipt requested; and provided, further, that section 40 of said chapter 79 shall govern the rights of the department and of any person whose property shall be so taken.  (c) The department shall have power, in the process of constructing, reconstructing, repairing, rehabilitating, improving, policing, using or administering all or any part of the state highway system to take by eminent domain pursuant to chapter 79, such land abutting the state highway system as it may deem necessary or desirable for the purposes of removing or relocating all or any part of the facilities of any public utility, including rail lines, and may thereafter lease the same or convey an easement or any other interest therein to such utility company upon such terms as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the relocation of the facilities of any public utility, including rail lines, in accordance with this section shall be valid upon the filing of the plans thereof with the department of telecommunications and energy, if applicable.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 21 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 21 - Abandoned, Mislaid or Lost Property; Sale of Unclaimed Property

Section 21. Notwithstanding chapters 134 and 147, if money, goods or other property which has been abandoned, mislaid or lost on the premises of the department comes into the possession of the department and remains unclaimed for a period of 120 days, the department may sell the same, excepting money so unclaimed, at public auction after notice of such sale has been published for 3 successive weeks in a newspaper published in the city or town wherein such sale shall occur. The net proceeds of such sale, after deducting the cost of storage and the expenses of the sale, and all money so unclaimed, shall be paid into and become the property of the department and may be deposited in the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund. If such property is in the possession of the department and remains unclaimed for a period of 120 days and is of the value of $3 or less, the department may donate the same to a charitable organization.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 22 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 22 - Enforcement by Superior Court Department

Section 22. The superior court department of the trial court shall have jurisdiction to enforce rights and duties created by this chapter and, on complaint of the department, may restrain violations of the department's regulations and otherwise enforce by any appropriate remedy including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, injunctive relief, the regulations, licenses, permits, orders, penalties and charges of the department. Penalties and charges established by or under authorization of this chapter shall be collected for the account of the department and paid over to the department. Except for rights of action expressly conferred upon the department, no provision of this chapter shall create private rights of action in enforcement proceedings.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 23 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 23 - Termination of Department

Section 23. The department and its corporate existence shall continue until terminated by law; provided, however, that no such law shall take effect so long as the department shall have bonds outstanding without adequate provision for the complete payment or satisfaction thereof. Upon termination of the department, the title to all funds and other properties owned by it which remain after the payment or satisfaction of all bonds of the department shall vest in the commonwealth. The obligations, debts and liabilities of the department shall be assumed by and imposed upon the commonwealth.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 24 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 24 - Investigations, Studies, Grant Applications and Applications for Project Approvals; Lease, Loan, Grant or Conveyance of Real or Personal Property to Department

Section 24. (a) All local bodies and all public agencies, instrumentalities, commissions and authorities of the commonwealth may undertake activities, programs and projects in conjunction with the department in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to join in investigations and studies and to submit grant applications and applications for project approvals.  (b) Except with respect to real property acquired or held for purposes described in Article XCVII of the amendments to the constitution of the commonwealth, all local bodies and all public agencies, instrumentalities, commissions and authorities of the commonwealth may lease, lend, grant or convey to the department, upon such terms and conditions as the proper authorities of such public bodies, public agencies, instrumentalities, commissions and authorities of the commonwealth may deem appropriate and without the necessity of any action or formality other than the regular and formal action of such public bodies, agencies, instrumentalities, commissions and authorities of the commonwealth, any interest in any real or personal property which may be necessary or convenient to effect the purposes of the department.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 25 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 25 - Conduct of Secretary, Administrators and Directors

Section 25. The secretary, administrators, and directors of the department shall be sworn to the faithful performance of their official duties. The secretary and each administrator, and director shall: conduct themselves in a manner so as to render decisions that are fair and impartial and in the public interest; avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all matters under their jurisdiction; avoid all prohibited communications; require staff and personnel subject to their direction and control to observe the same standards of fidelity and diligence; disqualify themselves from proceedings in which their impartiality might reasonably be questioned; refrain from financial or business dealings which would tend to reflect adversely on impartiality, although the secretary, administrators, and directors may hold and manage investments which are not incompatible with the duties of their office or of this section; and conform to such additional rules as may be prescribed by the secretary from time to time.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 26 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 26 - Application of Chapter 12a

Section 26. Chapter 12A shall apply to the department.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 27 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 27 - Exemption From Taxes or Assessments

Section 27. (a) The exercise of the powers granted by this chapter shall be in all respects for the benefit of the people of the commonwealth and for the improvement of their health and living conditions and as the operation and of the department shall constitute the performance of essential governmental functions, the department shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments, except as otherwise provided by this chapter and the notes or bonds issued under this chapter, their transfer and the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, at all times shall be free from taxation by and within the commonwealth.  (b) The lands and tangible personal property of the department shall be deemed to be public property used for essential public and governmental purposes and shall be exempt from taxation and from betterments and special assessments.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 31 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 31 - Administrative Units Within the Office of Planning and Programming

Section 31. (a) The secretary may from time to time, subject to appropriation, establish within the office of planning and programming such administrative units as may be necessary for the efficient and economical administration of the office of planning and programming, and when necessary for such purpose, may abolish any such administrative unit, or may merge any 2 or more units, as the secretary deems advisable. The secretary shall prepare and keep current a statement of the organization of the office of planning and programming, of the assignment of its functions to its various administrative units, offices and employees, and of the places at which and the methods whereby the public may receive information or make requests. Such statement shall be known as the department's description of organization. A current copy of the description of organization shall be kept on file in the office of the secretary of state and in the office of the secretary of administration.  [There is no subsection (b).]
MA Gen L ch 6c § 32 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 32 - Federal Gifts, Loans or Grants-in-Aid for Improved Transportation Management Systems

Section 32. The secretary shall apply for, accept and expend, subject to appropriation, on behalf of the commonwealth, any gift, loan or grant-in-aid from the federal government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof for demonstration projects and programs as may become available to the commonwealth for the purpose of energy conservation for improved transportation management systems or for improved transportation management systems.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 34 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 34 - Fiscal Analysis Prior to Expending of Funds or Final Approval of Transportation Infrastructure Project

Section 34. Prior to the final approval of a transportation infrastructure project, including mass transit expansion or the construction of new roadways with a projected capital cost of more than $15,000,000, and prior to expending any funds for the planning, design and construction of any such project, the secretary of transportation shall request that the administrator of the appropriate division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation prepare a fiscal analysis, including life cycle costs, demonstrating that sufficient revenues exist or will be generated to operate and maintain in good repair a new transportation asset. This analysis shall be also be submitted to any advisory boards to the respective divisions of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.  If a project for the expansion of mass transit has a projected total cost in excess of $200,000,000, the secretary of transportation shall submit the analysis to the secretary of administration and finance for a determination as to which costs, if any, will become part of the commonwealth's plan of capital expenditures.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 35 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 35 - Annual Report of Department's Activities

Section 35. The secretary shall annually submit a complete and detailed report of the department's activities within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year to the clerk of the house of representatives, the clerk of the senate, the chairs of the joint committee on transportation and the chairs of the house and senate committees on ways and means. The secretary shall make the report available on the department's website.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 36 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 36 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 41 to 56

Section 36. As used in sections 41 to 56, inclusive, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:—  ''Division'', the division of highways.  ''Administrator'', the administrator of transportation for highways.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 37 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 37 - Division of Highways; Administrator

Section 37. There shall be within the department a division of highways, which shall perform such functions as the secretary may determine in relation to the administration, implementation and enforcement of the department's authority over state highways. The division shall be under the supervision and control of the administrator. The administrator shall be the executive and administrative head of the division and shall be responsible for administering and enforcing the provisions of law relative to the division and to each administrative unit thereof. The duties given to the administrator in this chapter and in any other general or special law shall be exercised and discharged subject to the direction, control and supervision of the secretary.  The administrator shall be exempt from chapter 31 and the position of administrator shall be classified in accordance with section 45 of chapter 30 and the salary shall be determined in accordance with section 46C of said chapter 30. The administrator shall be appointed with due regard to his fitness, by reason of his experience in matters relating to transportation infrastructure, including roads and bridges, such as the construction, operations or financing thereof or other relevant experience relative to the efficient exercise of his powers and duties. The administrator shall administer this section and the General Laws, rules and regulations that grant powers to or impose duties upon the division, subject to the supervision of the secretary.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 38 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 38 - Duties of the Division of Highways

Section 38. The division shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of chapter 81 and for the administration and management of the state highway system. The division shall: (1) administer the design, construction, reconstruction, repair, rehabilitation, improvement, operation and maintenance of roads and bridges within the commonwealth; (2) enter into any contracts and agreements necessary or desirable to carry out its purposes; (3) make, and from time to time revise, regulations for the conduct of the business of the division and all regulations otherwise required by law; (4) collaborate with other agencies and authorities as may be appropriate in fields related to transportation, development, public safety and security; (5) prepare and submit to the governor, the board and the general court an annual report describing the organization of the division, and with the approval of the secretary, reviewing the work of the division, recommending legislation and other action by the governor and the general court, and (6) submit such other reports as the secretary or the general court may require from time to time.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 40 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 40 - Procedure for Recommending Approval or Disapproval of Contracts

Section 40. The administrator shall establish a procedure for recommending to the secretary approval or disapproval of all contracts, including specifications, made by the division and any changes, alterations, amendments or modifications thereof and for contract appeals of all claims made under any contract with the division with the exception of claims subject to section 39Q of chapter 30. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the secretary acting in regard to contract appeals may bring suit against the commonwealth for recovery of damages based on such claim under chapter 258.  To assist the secretary and administrator in performing this function, the governor may appoint and remove a person of legal training and experience, who shall be a member of the bar of the commonwealth, to the position of hearing examiner. The hearing examiner shall devote his full time during business hours to the duties of this position. The position shall be classified in accordance with section 45 of chapter 30 and the salary shall be determined in accordance with section 46C of said chapter 30. The secretary may refer any dispute concerning contracts, contract specifications or the execution of contracts not subject to said section 39Q of said chapter 30 to the hearing examiner for a report on the matter, including a recommendation as to the disposition of the dispute.  The hearing examiner shall hear all claims by contractors from determinations of the division with the exception of claims subject to said section 39Q of said chapter 30 and shall, after hearing, render to the secretary a report of the matter including a recommendation as to the disposition of the claim. The examiner shall, at the request of the contractor or of the division or on his own motion, summon witnesses and require the production of books and records and take testimony under oath. Such reports shall be maintained as public records in a place and form fully accessible to the public.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 42 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 42 - Co-Operative Engineer Program

Section 42. The administrator may establish a co-operative engineer program and may enter into agreements with colleges of recognized standing within the commonwealth, including colleges which have summer programs, which have established a curriculum leading to a degree of bachelor of science in engineering on a co-operative basis, contemplating regularly rotating work activity in the field of engineering and an equal period of classroom training. The administrator may employ persons enrolled as candidates for the degree of bachelor of science in engineering in any such college to serve in the department in the position of student engineer; provided, however, that the position of student engineer shall be in a grade lower than that of junior civil engineer in the department; and provided, further, that at no time shall the number of persons employed in the department as student engineers exceed 8. Upon completion of not less than 2 years of employment as student engineer, a person shall be eligible to apply for the examination for highway engineer intern. No person shall be employed as a student engineer for more than 6 years.
MA Gen L ch 6c § 43 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth|Chapter 6c - Massachusetts Department of Transportation|Section 43 - Real Estate Appraisal Review Board

Section 43. (a) There shall be within the division a real estate appraisal review board. The board shall consist of not less than 3 nor more than 5 members to be appointed by the governor, 2 of whom shall be certified general real estate appraisers licensed by the board of real estate appraisers pursuant to section 92 of chapter 13. Members of the board shall be appointed for terms of 3 years or until a successor is appointed. Members shall be eligible to be reappointed and may be compensated at a rate to be determined by the division. Members of the board shall be state employees for the purposes of chapter 268A. A chairman of the board shall be elected annually from the membership. The division shall provide administrative support to the council as requested. In the event of a vacancy on the board, the governor shall appoint a new member consistent with this section to fulfill the remainder of the unexpired term.  (b) The division shall not purchase or acquire by eminent domain any real property or any interest in real property with a value in excess of $300,000 without the written approval of the board.  (c) The board shall meet periodically, but not less than twice each year. The board shall keep a public record of all meetings, votes and other business.  (d) The board shall submit an annual report of its activities during the preceding fiscal year not later than September 1 to the governor, the secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the administrator, the chairs of the joint committee on transportation and the chairs of the house and senate committees on ways and means.