Transportation

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 149: Vehicle Laws - Heavy Weight Port Corridor Permits - Regulations

SB 149 establishes new rules for permits allowing heavy trucks to transport international cargo in sealed containers through Baltimore's Seagirt Marine Terminal corridor. It requires vehicles to weigh no more than 100,000 pounds, follow specific designated routes between the terminal and authorized destinations, travel only during permitted hours, and adhere to speed limits set by the Maryland Transportation Secretary. The bill directly affects trucking companies moving international freight by creating a formal "heavy weight port corridor" system with standardized weight, route, and timing requirements. The Secretary of Transportation will set permit fees, axle weight limits, and approved destinations through regulations, with the law taking effect June 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationImposes weight limits, route restrictions, and operating hours on heavy trucks, restricting corridor access for freight transport per bill's requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Transportation

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 229: Maryland Transportation Authority - Revenue Bond Limit - Increase

HB 229 proposes to increase the Maryland Transportation Authority's (MDTA) annual limit for outstanding toll-revenue bonds from $4 billion to $5 billion, effective June 30 each year. This change directly affects the MDTA, allowing it to issue more bonds to fund transportation projects financed through toll revenue. The bill also specifies that the $5 billion cap would be reduced by any federal loans or drawn lines of credit under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act. The increase aims to provide greater flexibility for the MDTA to finance transportation infrastructure without requiring annual legislative approval for the bond limit. The bill is currently pending in committee after a favorable report.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases MDTA bond cap to fund transportation infrastructure projects via toll revenue, directly advancing infrastructure funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 389: Land Use - Transit-Oriented Development - Alterations (Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act)

SB 389, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, automatically designates transit-oriented development (TOD) areas near rail stations with hourly weekday service (8 a.m.-6 p.m.) as enterprise zones - bypassing normal limits on such designations. It requires Maryland’s development corporation to prioritize loans for projects redeveloping state-owned land near rail stations and delays development taxes/fees for qualifying residential projects. The bill also adds project labor agreements as a scoring factor for TOD funding and adjusts local land-use regulations to support transit-focused development. Directly affecting developers, local governments, and communities near transit hubs, it aims to accelerate housing and infrastructure near rail corridors.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDelays development taxes/fees for qualifying residential projects, providing tax incentive to promote transit-oriented development90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDesignates TOD areas as enterprise zones, prioritizes loans for state land redevelopment, and delays fees for residential projects - all advancing housing development near transit.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires project labor agreements for transit development projects, ensuring fair wages and union standards in construction labor.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDesignates TOD areas near rail stations, prioritizes transit-oriented projects, delays fees for housing near transit - directly advancing public transit infrastructure and sustainable transportation access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 437: Transportation - Major Highway Capacity Expansion Projects and Impact Assessments (Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026)

HB 437, the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026, requires Maryland’s Department of Transportation to conduct impact assessments for major highway expansion projects costing over $100 million. These assessments must evaluate greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled, and the department must develop a multimodal transportation program (including transit, biking, and pedestrian improvements) to offset emissions from the project. The program must prioritize overburdened and underserved communities affected by the project, aiming for net-zero or negative greenhouse gas emissions when combined with the highway project. This applies to projects not already funded or reviewed before June 30, 2026, and affects highway planning decisions across the state.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires emissions assessments and multimodal programs to offset highway projects, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing climate-aligned transportation infrastructure85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires GHG assessments and multimodal programs to offset emissions from highway projects, directly advancing climate goals and reducing transportation-related pollution.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates emissions assessments for highway expansions and requires multimodal programs (transit/biking/pedestrian) to offset impacts, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 1381: Vehicle Laws - Stopping, Standing, or Parking in a Bike Lane or Bicycle Path - Prohibition

HB 1381 prohibits drivers from stopping, standing, or parking vehicles in bike lanes or bicycle paths in Maryland, directly affecting all drivers using public roads. The bill adds a new provision (Section 21-1003(gg)) to Maryland law, allowing exceptions for emergency vehicles, transit buses, vehicles assisting people with disabilities, disabled vehicles, and delivery vehicles under specific conditions (e.g., 30-minute limit with hazard lights or a local permit). It amends existing transportation code sections to clarify these restrictions and exceptions. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and aims to improve safety for cyclists by keeping bike lanes clear of parked vehicles.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits parking in bike lanes to enhance cyclist safety, directly protecting transportation infrastructure and aligning with safety-focused transportation policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 386: Metro Funding Modification Act of 2026

HB 386 modifies Maryland's funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by requiring the Governor to withhold 35% of annual grants under specific conditions. It directly affects WMATA and Maryland's budget process, mandating that the Governor withhold funds if WMATA fails to submit required reports (like safety assessments and financial data) or if it doesn't develop a rail signaling workforce transition plan by July 2028. The bill also requires WMATA to provide detailed annual reports on safety, ridership, finances, and capital investments to trigger full funding. If WMATA receives a modified audit opinion without a corrective plan, or misses the workforce plan deadline, the Governor must withhold the funds until these conditions are met.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill conditions WMATA funding on compliance, promoting fiscal accountability and responsible budget management through withheld grants.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates WMATA develop rail signaling workforce transition plan by 2028, directly addressing worker transition needs during system changes.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill conditions WMATA funding on safety assessments and planning compliance, ensuring responsible transit fund use and operational accountability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

HB 1567: Vehicle Laws - Bicycles, Motor Scooters, and EPAMDs - Audible Warnings (Pass Pedestrians Safely Act)

HB 1567, the "Pass Pedestrians Safely Act," requires bicycle, motor scooter, and electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD) operators to maintain at least 3 feet of distance when passing pedestrians or vehicles if practicable, and to give an audible warning (like a bell or horn) before passing pedestrians. It directly affects riders of these devices in Maryland by adding specific safety obligations to existing traffic laws. Violations are treated as secondary offenses (only enforceable if another traffic violation is suspected) and carry a $25 civil penalty. The bill amends Maryland’s vehicle code to prioritize pedestrian safety during overtaking maneuvers.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAdds safety requirements for cyclists/scooters to protect pedestrians, enhancing transportation safety standards per bill's mandate.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 639: Transportation - Aviation - Passenger Health and Safety (Aviation Health and Safety Act)

HB 639, the Aviation Health and Safety Act, requires the Maryland Aviation Administration to create a form for passengers traveling involuntarily or in restraint (detained individuals). The form collects medical history (allergies, conditions, medications), legal details (attorney contact, case status), and minor/guardianship information. Flight crews must distribute and collect the forms, while fixed-base operators (FBOs) must verify forms are on board before providing services like fueling. The bill also prohibits refueling an aircraft while a restrained person is aboard and mandates specific services for restrained individuals when they disembark for refueling. These requirements apply to all aircraft carrying detained individuals within Maryland's jurisdiction.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates safety protocols for aviation passengers, directly enhancing transportation safety standards as required by aviation health/safety regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 19, 2026

HB 1113: Vehicle Laws - Bus Obstruction Monitoring Systems and Bus Stop Zones

HB 1113 updates Maryland's vehicle laws to clarify enforcement of bus stop zones. It prohibits drivers from stopping, standing, or parking in a bus stop zone when a transit vehicle is present, with two exceptions: (1) if authorized by the local jurisdiction, or (2) if actively loading/unloading passengers with hazard lights on. The bill also revises legal references from "bus lane" to "bus obstruction" monitoring systems in several transportation and court codes to align terminology. This directly affects drivers who park in bus zones and transit authorities enforcing these rules. The key change is a clearer, enforceable rule for bus stop zone access during active transit vehicle use.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies enforcement of bus stop zones to prevent obstruction, enhancing public transit safety and operational efficiency per bill summary.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Transportation

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