Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 161b - Transportation Facilities, Highway Systems and Urban Development Plans
Section 26 - Stabilization Fund

Section 26. The regional transit authorities shall establish a stabilization fund into which the authorities shall deposit revenues in excess of expenditures. Said stabilization fund shall have a fund balance no greater than 15% of total revenues for all regional transit authorities for the fiscal year most recently ended. Monies from said fund shall be subject to appropriation and used for capital improvements and expenditures, to offset the unforeseen and dramatic loss of revenues within a fiscal year, and to pay current expenses after implementing all efficiencies and savings possible. The authorities may not assume draws from said stabilization fund in preparing their annual budgets. In the event that an authority requires a draw from said fund, it shall file with the secretary of administration and finance, secretary of transportation and construction, joint committee on transportation and the house and senate committees on ways and means a financial plan that projects to produce in the following fiscal year an excess of revenues over expenses, all measures taken to implement efficiencies and savings, the amount necessary to offset operating losses, and any other information that said secretaries or committees may require.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title XXII - Corporations

Chapter 161b - Transportation Facilities, Highway Systems and Urban Development Plans

Section 1 - Definitions

Section 2 - Transit Authorities Authorized; Territories; Powers, Duties and Liabilities

Section 3 - Creation of Regional Transit Authorities; Name; Notice to Governor; Appointment of Administrator; Powers, Duties, etc.; Joinder of Contiguous Territory; Membership in Additional Authority

Section 4 - Administrator; Appointment; Tenure; Salary; Bond

Section 5 - Advisory Board; Members; Vote; Executive Committee; Meetings; Expenses

Section 6 - Powers of Authority

Section 7 - Separate Units of Mass Transportation Facilities and Equipment; Authorization; Unit Lease Arrangements; Financing; Bonds

Section 8 - Limitations, Conditions, Obligations and Duties of Authority

Section 9 - Payment of Net Cost of Service by State; Assessment Upon Cities and Towns in Territory of Transit Authority

Section 9a - Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority; Assessment Upon Member Cities and Towns

Section 10 - Year With Net Cost of Service; Payment by State; Financing; Notes; Assessments on Cities and Towns Constituting Authority; Year With Excess; Disposition of Funds

Section 12 - Audit; Report; Provision of Copies to Committee Chairs

Section 13 - Exemptions From Taxation and License Fees

Section 14 - Establishment of Authorities by Vote of Advisory Board; Nonparticipation by City or Town; Later Joining

Section 15 - City or Town Assessed for Net Cost of Service; Ballot Question Upon Continuation of Membership; Votes

Section 16 - Conflict of Regulatory Powers; Resolution by Department of Telecommunications and Energy

Section 17 - Bonds; Issuance Authorized; Limitations; Terms; Requirements; Conditions; Rules and Regulations for Assistance to Private Companies; Disbursement of Proceeds

Section 18 - Trust Agreement to Secure Bonds

Section 19 - Bonds Issued Under This Chapter; Authorized Investments; Use for Legal Deposits

Section 20 - Rights of Bondholders and Trustee; Enforcement Proceedings

Section 21 - Interest Bearing or Discounted Notes and Bond Anticipation Notes Authorized; Limitations; Disposition of Proceeds; Payment

Section 22 - Federal Assistance

Section 23 - Contract Assistance

Section 24 - Application of Other Laws

Section 25 - Direct Operation of Mass Transportation Service

Section 26 - Stabilization Fund

Section 27 - Regional Transit Authority Council