Transportation

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 869: Vehicle Laws - Electric Vehicle Dealer Licenses - City of Bowie

HB 869 creates a special license for manufacturers or distributors that sell *only* electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicles, allowing them to operate as dealers in Maryland. This license is restricted to the City of Bowie only, with no more than one such dealership permitted there. The bill modifies vehicle dealer licensing rules to require that applicants have no existing dealerships in Maryland and must not control other dealerships under the same provisions. It directly affects EV-focused manufacturers/distributors seeking to establish a Bowie-based dealership. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates license for EV dealers to promote electric vehicle adoption, reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates special EV dealer license in Bowie, directly promoting sustainable transportation adoption through regulatory support for electric vehicles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 26, 2026

HB 1491: Education - Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission - Establishment

HB 1491 establishes the Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission to coordinate and secure funding for safe routes for Maryland public school students traveling to and from school. The commission, made up of state education and transportation officials, school system representatives, local government members, students (including those with IEPs), parents, and infrastructure experts, will identify gaps in existing pathways, evaluate funding options, and develop strategic plans. It must submit annual reports to the governor and legislative committees by December 1st, detailing current conditions, funding opportunities, and recommendations for infrastructure improvements. This bill directly affects public school students, their families, school systems, and local governments responsible for transportation infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes commission to secure funding for safe school routes, improving infrastructure and access for students, directly advancing educational access and safety.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes commission to secure funding for safe student pathways (transportation infrastructure/safety), aligning with 'funds transportation projects' and 'enhances transportation safety' indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1296: Preliminary Subdivision and Site Plans – Safe School Route Reports – Requirement

HB 1296 requires developers of new residential projects with at least five homes located within walking distance of a public school to submit a "Safe School Route Report" as part of their preliminary subdivision or site plan. The report must identify affected schools, assess existing pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, propose safe routes, and detail gaps or hazards like missing sidewalks. This applies to most new housing developments but excludes projects intended as housing for older persons under federal law. Local governments cannot approve such plans without this report, aiming to improve safety for students walking or biking to school.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires safe walking routes for school access, improving student safety and physical access to schools per bill's infrastructure focus85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires assessment of pedestrian infrastructure and safe routes for school access, enhancing transportation safety standards for walking/biking routes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1599: Chesapeake Bay - Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund - Established

HB 1599 establishes Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program within the Department of Natural Resources. The program provides $2 million annually (starting fiscal year 2028) from the Transportation Trust Fund to fund oyster propagation and replenishment projects. These projects specifically mitigate harm to the state's oyster population caused by transportation projects at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, including dredging, pier/bridge construction, and channel maintenance. The law requires the Governor to include this funding in the annual budget bill, directly affecting oyster restoration groups and transportation project developers needing to offset environmental impacts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds oyster propagation to mitigate harm from transportation projects, directly protecting Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and conservation efforts.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationUses Transportation Trust Fund to fund projects mitigating environmental harm from transportation infrastructure (dredging, construction) at Baltimore port, directly linking transportation funding to transportation-related environmental protection.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Ports

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 674: Transportation - Regional Transportation Authorities

SB 674 creates three new regional transportation authorities for the Baltimore, Capital, and Southern Maryland regions. It imposes new sales, hotel, and transfer tax surcharges to fund these authorities, directing 70% of the revenue from these surcharges to dedicated regional transportation funds. These funds are designated as nonlapsing (permanent) and require interest earnings to be added back to the funds. The bill also establishes specific allocation rules, such as sending 30% of Baltimore region surcharge revenue to local counties and municipalities based on their sales activity. The legislation amends Maryland tax and transportation codes to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new sales/hotel/transfer tax surcharges to fund regional transportation authorities with nonlapsing dedicated funds.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates regional transportation authorities with new taxes and dedicated permanent funds for infrastructure projects, directly advancing transportation infrastructure funding and governance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Sales Tax Transportation Funding

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 777: Motor Vehicles - Required Equipment - Rear Occupant Alert Systems (Hot Cars Act)

HB 777, the "Hot Cars Act," requires new motor vehicles with rear seating (like passenger cars, trucks, and multipurpose vehicles) sold in Maryland after October 1, 2029, to include a rear occupant alert system. This system must alert drivers to check the back seat after turning off the engine, meeting federal standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The law prohibits dealers from selling non-compliant vehicles and bars the Motor Vehicle Administration from registering such vehicles. It directly affects car manufacturers, dealers, and vehicle buyers in Maryland, with compliance tied to upcoming federal safety rules.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates rear occupant alert systems in vehicles to prevent hot car incidents, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 873: Manslaughter by Vehicle or Vessel - Increased Penalties (Jamari's Law)

HB 873 increases prison sentences for drivers who cause death through extreme carelessness while operating a vehicle or vessel. For a first offense, the maximum sentence rises from 10 to 20 years; for repeat offenses, it increases from 15 to 30 years. The bill does not change fines, which remain up to $5,000 for first offenses and $10,000 for repeat offenses. This law affects a very limited number of cases, as only about 30 people were incarcerated for this specific offense in Maryland during fiscal 2025, making its overall impact minimal.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum prison sentences for vehicular manslaughter, reflecting stricter sentencing approach rather than reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for vehicular manslaughter, enhancing road safety regulations under transportation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 473: Public Utilities - For-Hire Drivers and Transportation Network Operators - Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Training and Liability

SB 473 requires new applicants for taxicab, for-hire driver, or transportation network operator (e.g., Uber/Lyft) licenses in Maryland to submit proof they completed human trafficking awareness training. This includes either the U.S. Department of Transportation’s "Leaders Against Human Trafficking" program or another nationally recognized training program. The bill also protects licensed drivers from civil or criminal liability when reporting suspected trafficking in good faith. These requirements apply specifically to new license applicants, not current license holders, and are designed to help identify and prevent trafficking through driver training and reporting.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires human trafficking training for drivers, aiding crime prevention and reporting in criminal justice context85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates trafficking training for for-hire drivers (Uber/Lyft), enhancing safety standards in transportation services per topic's vehicle regulations focus.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1496: Vehicle Laws – Causing Serious Injury or Death of Vulnerable Individual

HB 1496 amends Maryland's vehicle laws by removing motorcycle riders from the legal definition of "vulnerable individual" under Section 21-901.3. This change specifically affects motorcycle riders, excluding them from the category protected under penalties for causing serious injury or death through traffic violations. The bill deletes motorcycle riders (previously listed in subsection (a)(iii)(v)) from the definition, meaning drivers who hit motorcycle riders while violating traffic rules will no longer face the enhanced penalties tied to "causing injury or death to a vulnerable individual." The law retains protections for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users as defined in the amended section. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRemoves motorcycle riders from 'vulnerable individual' protections under traffic safety laws, weakening penalties for drivers causing injury/death to motorcyclists.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 698: Vehicle Laws - Dangerous Accumulations of Snow and Ice - Removal From Exposed Vehicle Surfaces

SB 698 prohibits operating or towing any vehicle in Maryland if snow or ice remains on specified exposed surfaces - including the hood, windshield, roof, windows, trunk, truck cab, or trailer top - when that accumulation poses a threat to people or property. It imposes tiered fines: $25-$200 for non-commercial vehicles (with escalating penalties for repeat offenses) and $75-$1,000 for commercial vehicles. The law also increases penalties to $200-$1,000 for non-commercial or $500-$1,500 for commercial vehicles if the snow/ice violation contributes to an accident causing property damage, injury, or death. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and defines "exposed surfaces" to cover all relevant vehicle areas where snow/ice could fall or obstruct vision.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits dangerous snow/ice accumulation on vehicles to enhance road safety, directly aligning with transportation safety standards and protecting public property.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing