SB 947 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Maryland Transit Administration Reform Act

SB 947 establishes a new Board of Directors to govern Baltimore Core Transit Service (including local buses, light rail, subway, and paratransit) within the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). It replaces the existing Baltimore Regional Transit Commission with this board, which includes five governor-appointed members (requiring representation from riders, accessibility users, transit providers, and union employees), plus mayoral and county executive appointees. The board will approve major service plans and policies for Baltimore transit operations, while the MTA must contract with the Baltimore Metropolitan Council to study creating a dedicated rail authority. This reform directly affects Baltimore-area transit users, MTA operations, and local government oversight of regional transit services.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Maryland Transit Administration Reform Act → Enrolled - Maryland Transit Administration Reform Act · 5 edits · May 12, 2026

MODERATE

The bill transitioned from a draft Senate version to an enrolled final version, incorporating specific formatting for the Governor's signature and adding a new italicized note regarding cross-chamber amendments. Substantively, the bill's scope was modified to clarify that procurement laws do not apply to Maryland Transit Administration projects on existing fixed guideway systems. The composition of the Baltimore Core Transit Service Board was significantly altered to include a student member, a representative of an anchor institution, and a labor union representative with a specific plurality requirement, while reducing the number of members appointed by local mayors and executives.

Scope change

The bill's scope was refined to explicitly exempt certain Maryland Transit Administration capital construction projects on existing and defined fixed guideway systems from the State procurement law.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new nonvoting board member who must be a student regularly using Administration services to commute to and from school.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the labor union representative requirement to specify the member must represent the plurality of frontline workers.

Reduced the number of board members appointed by the Mayor of Baltimore and the Baltimore County Executive from two each to one each.

DEFINITION

Added a new requirement for at least one board member to represent an anchor institution that also provides transportation services in the area.

SCOPE

Clarified that the State procurement law does not apply to Maryland Transit Administration capital construction projects on existing and defined fixed guideway systems.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 30, 2026

How they voted

46–1

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 49

Mar 27, 2026

D Democratic36

34 Yea 2

94% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1 Nay

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 419

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Enrolled

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Introduced

Senate Concurs House Amendments

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Apr 6, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 30, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (106-32-4)

house of delegates

Mar 27, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (46-1-2)

senate

Mar 25, 2026

Committee

Referred Rules and Executive Nominations

lower

Mar 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

First Reading Finance and Budget and Taxation

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors