Transportation

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

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1580: Economic Development - Maryland Enhanced Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts

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.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires projects within ½ mile of transit station, promoting transit-oriented development and aligning with transportation infrastructure goals.85% confidence

Tags Economic Development

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1504: Highways - Sidewalks and Bicycle Pathways - Construction and Reconstruction (The Honorable Anne Healey Pedestrian Safety Act of 2026)

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.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates state funding for sidewalk/bike pathways on highways, prioritizing complete streets and Vision Zero - directly funds transportation infrastructure improvements95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1452: Economic Development - Prince George's County Suitland Development Authority - Established

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax-exempt authority for economic development, providing tax relief for the Suitland project area and enabling fiscal management through tax-exempt operations.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Suitland Development Authority to revitalize blighted neighborhood area, directly advancing housing development through neighborhood revitalization plans.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes Suitland Development Authority to revitalize Suitland/Silver Hill Road intersection, directly improving road infrastructure and addressing blight at a key transportation corridor.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Community Development Property Development Property Taxes Roads & Highways Tags Economic Development

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1072: State Procurement - Preferences - Francis Scott Key Bridge Reconstruction

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.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates local vendor preference for Francis Scott Key Bridge reconstruction, advancing transportation infrastructure project through targeted procurement rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 856: Motor Vehicles - Driver's Licenses - Eligibility

SB 856 amends Maryland's driver's license eligibility requirements for provisional and original licenses. It lowers the minimum age for provisional licenses from 16 years 6 months to 16 years (with a 9-month waiting period after obtaining a learner's permit), adjusts age thresholds from 19 to 18 years for certain requirements, and modifies driving practice rules - including reducing nighttime driving hours for some age groups. The bill directly affects teen drivers (under 18) and young drivers aged 18-24, requiring specific classroom instruction, supervised driving hours, and night driving practice. These changes apply to all applicants seeking their first driver's license through the standard pathway.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationModifies teen driving rules to enhance safety (reduced nighttime driving hours for young drivers).85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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

HB 1522: Traffic Control Signal Monitoring and Speed Monitoring Systems - Exemptions From Liability - Vehicle Rental Companies

HB 1522 removes a legal exemption that previously protected vehicle rental companies from liability for traffic violations captured by traffic control signal or speed monitoring systems. The bill repeals specific sections of Maryland law (21-202.1 and 21-809) that excluded rental companies and special plate holders from receiving citations for red-light running or speeding violations recorded by these systems. As a result, rental companies will now be directly liable for such violations, facing the same civil penalties as individual vehicle owners. This change affects all vehicle rental companies operating in Maryland, requiring them to address violations recorded by municipal or state monitoring systems. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRemoves liability exemption for rental companies on traffic violations, enhancing road safety enforcement through direct accountability for red-light/speeding violations captured by monitoring systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1169: Howard County - Highways - Speed Limits Ho. Co. 8-26

Howard County would gain authority to lower speed limits on county highways to a minimum of 15 mph after conducting a traffic and engineering study. The bill prohibits Howard County from implementing new speed monitoring systems (like cameras) to enforce these reduced limits on affected highways. This specifically applies to Howard County highways where speed limits were decreased under this law, with no changes to existing limits for other jurisdictions. The bill modifies Maryland’s transportation code to establish these requirements for Howard County only.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables Howard County to lower highway speed limits to 15 mph for safety, enhancing transportation safety standards per Maryland transport modifications.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1170: Howard County - Speed Monitoring Systems - Expansion of Authorization Ho. Co. 9-26

HB 1170 expands Howard County's authorization to deploy speed monitoring systems on specific roads. It adds Howard County to the list of jurisdictions allowed to use these systems on highways identified in safety plans as high-risk for serious crashes, and specifically includes U.S. Route 1 (Washington Boulevard) as a permitted location. The bill requires local law approval, public hearings, and adherence to engineering standards before deployment. This directly affects Howard County residents and drivers traveling on the specified routes. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands speed monitoring systems on high-risk highways (e.g., U.S. Route 1) to enhance road safety, directly advancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 622: Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - Required Uses - Building Electrification and Transportation Electrification

SB 622 requires the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide loans and grants specifically for building electrification (replacing gas appliances with electric ones) and transportation electrification (such as electric vehicle infrastructure). This policy change directly affects Maryland residents, businesses, and local governments seeking funding to switch to electric systems. The bill amends existing law to mandate these uses of the fund, redirecting resources from previous allocations. It becomes effective October 1, 2026, without creating new programs but altering how existing funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing fund resources to electrification projects, directing state budget toward specific infrastructure spending as mandated use of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates fund allocation for building/transportation electrification, replacing fossil fuel dependence with electric systems, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates fund allocation for building/transportation electrification, reducing fossil fuel dependence and emissions, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates fund allocation for transportation electrification (e.g., EV infrastructure), directly funding sustainable transportation projects per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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