HB 527 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Maryland Transit Administration - Purple Line - Free Ridership and Promotional Materials and Services

HB 527 requires the Maryland Transit Administration to provide three months of free rides on the Purple Line for residents living within a quarter-mile of the tracks, and free advertising space on Purple Line vehicles and stations for businesses within the same quarter-mile radius. The program would begin when Purple Line service starts and last for three months, applying to all qualifying residents and businesses near the transit line. It takes effect October 1, 2025, and directly affects local residents and small businesses adjacent to the Purple Line corridor. The bill creates a temporary incentive to encourage ridership and support nearby commercial activity during the initial service period.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025

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What changed between versions

First - Maryland Transit Administration - Purple Line - Free Ridership and Advertising → Third - Maryland Transit Administration - Purple Line - Free Ridership and Promotional Materials and Services · 6 edits

MODERATE

HB 527 was amended to expand its scope from free ridership and advertising to include promotional materials and services for small businesses. The bill now explicitly targets small businesses as defined by state law and clarifies that the Maryland Transit Administration must use internal resources rather than private contractors to implement the program.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include promotional materials and services in addition to free ridership and advertising space.

SCOPE

Added promotional materials and services to the bill's title and purpose, broadening the program beyond just free rides and advertising space.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific reference to 'small businesses' as defined in State Government Article § 2-1505.2, narrowing eligibility compared to the original 'businesses' language.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that the Maryland Transit Administration must use internal resources (websites and printing/design services) to implement the program.

Added explicit prohibition requiring the Administration not to procure private advertising or marketing services for the program.

Added requirement that the Administration must adopt regulations to implement the section.

TIMELINE

Added specific start date of October 1, 2025 for advertising and promotional materials, and clarified the 3-month ridership period begins after transit service starts.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 17, 2025 · House of Delegates Feb 28, 2025

How they voted

34–12

Passed

Total votes 46

Mar 17, 2025

D Democratic33

33 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican13

1 Yea 12 Nay

92% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 13, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 494

executive

Apr 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (34-12)

senate

Mar 12, 2025

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Feb 28, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (101-36-2)

house of delegates

Jan 22, 2025

Committee

First Reading Environment and Transportation and Appropriations

lower

14 primary · 0 co-sponsors