SB 606 requires the Maryland Transportation Authority to analyze unused E-ZPass commuter trips from 2023-2025 and submit a report by September 2026. The report must include data on unused trips (numbers, costs, demographics) and recommend solutions like extending usage windows or offering rollovers to reduce forfeited funds. It also mandates a corrective action plan if over 25% of discount plans had unused trips during those years. The bill directly affects E-ZPass commuters, particularly low-income residents and those in communities with limited banking access, by addressing financial losses from unused prepaid trips. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and expires June 30, 2027.
HB 1130 requires the State Highway Administration to expand the existing Maryland Route 410 (East-West Highway) Pedestrian Safety Action Plan to include the segment from Queens Chapel Road east to U.S. Route 1 (Baltimore Avenue) in Prince George's County. This directly affects pedestrians, drivers, and transit users traveling along this corridor, which has experienced serious safety issues including fatal crashes and lacks continuous pedestrian infrastructure. The bill mandates adding this specific highway segment to the current project scope, ensuring continuous safety improvements like sidewalks and crossings along the entire corridor. The expansion aims to align with Vision Zero safety principles and address gaps in the existing plan that left safety measures incomplete. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 921 removes an exemption that previously shielded vehicle rental companies and holders of special registration plates from liability for traffic violations recorded by traffic control signal monitoring systems (like red light cameras) and speed monitoring systems. Currently, these entities were not subject to citations for violations captured by such systems, but the bill changes that by amending Maryland’s transportation code. The law now requires vehicle rental companies and special plate holders to be held responsible for fines when violations - such as running red lights or speeding - are recorded. This change applies to all relevant violations captured by these systems and takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 1447 requires Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to create a system verifying vehicle owners' addresses. If the MVA finds a Maryland resident driving a vehicle registered in another state, it can investigate and issue a $150 penalty for failing to properly register the vehicle within 60 days of notice. If registration remains unaddressed after 60 days, a second $500 penalty applies. All penalties collected fund Maryland's Transportation Trust Fund. This bill directly affects Maryland residents who improperly register vehicles, primarily targeting out-of-state registrations of in-state residents.
HB 1614 authorizes the Maryland Transportation Authority Police to use lane direction control signal monitoring systems on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to enforce violations of red lane direction signals. It requires District Courts to remit civil penalties collected from these violations directly to the Maryland Transportation Authority instead of the state. The bill amends existing traffic law sections to clarify that penalties from these automated enforcement systems must be paid to the Authority and that recorded images from the systems are admissible as evidence without authentication. This affects drivers using the Chesapeake Bay Bridge who enter lanes with red signals, enabling automated enforcement of lane direction rules.
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.
HB 1580 creates a new category of "Maryland Enhanced TIF Districts" for large-scale development projects. It allows the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to issue bonds for districts meeting specific criteria: projects must cost over $500 million, include a convention center, or be within ½ mile of a transit station, and require local government approval for tax increment financing. The bill modifies existing law to authorize the state to pledge certain revenues to support these districts, subject to MEDC recommendations and Board of Public Works approval. This primarily affects developers of major commercial or infrastructure projects and local jurisdictions managing tax increment financing.
Tags
Economic Development
HB 1504 requires Maryland's State Highway Administration to prioritize funding for sidewalk and bicycle pathway construction/reconstruction on highways with "complete streets" policies or Vision Zero programs. It mandates that local governments request such projects through annual funding letters, with costs typically shared 50-50 between state and local governments unless the project is in a sustainable community (100% state-funded) or addresses a public safety risk (100% state-funded). The bill specifically applies to urban highways defined as those in urban areas with high pedestrian traffic, curb/gutter systems, or within municipal boundaries. This directly affects local governments seeking infrastructure funding and the State Highway Administration managing transportation budgets.
HB 1452 establishes the Suitland Development Authority in Prince George’s County to revitalize the Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road intersection area, which has faced decades of underdevelopment and blight. The Authority will create neighborhood revitalization plans with resident input, modify project boundaries (subject to a vote), manage finances, and operate tax-exempt under certain conditions. It directly affects residents and businesses in this specific neighborhood by aiming to boost economic activity, reduce unemployment, retain existing businesses, and increase property tax revenue for the county and state. The bill creates a new government entity focused on targeted neighborhood redevelopment, not broader policy changes.
HB 1072 establishes a procurement preference for vendors located in Maryland's 6th Legislative District for state contracts related solely to the Francis Scott Key Bridge reconstruction. It requires state agencies to award contracts using competitive bidding to a local vendor if they submit the lowest valid bid or, if not the lowest, their bid is within 10% of the lowest bid. This rule applies only to bridge reconstruction projects and does not affect general state procurement. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
