Transportation

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1081: Maryland Transit Administration Reform Act

HB 1081 creates a new Board of Directors for Baltimore Core Transit Service (encompassing local buses, light rail, Metro Subway, and paratransit in Baltimore) within the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). The Board, composed of 9 voting members (including 5 governor-appointed members with specific rider, accessibility, and labor representation requirements, plus city/county appointees), must approve major service plans and policies for Baltimore transit. The bill repeals the existing Baltimore Regional Transit Commission, proposes a constitutional amendment to allow MTA to use land acquisition powers for projects, and exempts MTA capital construction from certain state procurement rules. It directly affects MTA operations in Baltimore and establishes new governance structures for regional transit services.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates new governance structure for Baltimore transit with rider/accessibility representation, aiming to improve service policies and oversight per bill summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 965: Motor Vehicles - Out-of-State Drivers - Automated Enforcement (Out-of-State Driver Accountability Act)

SB 965 requires local governments operating automated traffic enforcement systems (like speed cameras or red-light cameras) to submit quarterly reports to Maryland’s Vision Zero coordinator about citations issued to vehicles registered in other states. The reports must include the out-of-state license plate number, whether the ticket was paid, and whether it remains overdue. Local governments must track these citations cumulatively over time, showing total issued, paid, and overdue tickets. This bill creates a data collection system for out-of-state traffic citations but does not change traffic enforcement rules or penalties.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires out-of-state citation reporting for automated enforcement systems to support Vision Zero safety goals, enhancing traffic safety compliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

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

HB 1338: Motor Vehicles - Driver's Licenses - Eligibility

HB 1338 modifies Maryland's driver's license eligibility rules for provisional licenses and first-time applicants. It adjusts minimum ages and waiting periods: applicants under 18 must wait 9 months after getting a learner's permit before testing, while those aged 18-24 now need only 3 months (down from 9 months), and those 25+ require just 45 days. The bill also standardizes driving practice requirements, mandating 60 hours of supervised driving (including 10 nighttime hours) for most applicants, with reduced hours (14 total, 3 nighttime) for those 25+. These changes directly affect new drivers seeking their first license, particularly teenagers and young adults. The bill updates existing provisions in Maryland's transportation code without altering core licensing categories.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates 60 hours supervised driving (including 10 night hours) for license applicants, strengthening safety standards under vehicle regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 789: Motor Vehicle Administration - Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Repairs - Study

SB 789 requires automotive repair facilities performing advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) recalibrations - such as those needed after windshield replacement - to obtain a license from Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration. It mandates that facilities inform customers if ADAS recalibration is required, provide written confirmation that work meets manufacturer specs, and prohibits facilities from charging for unperformed services. The bill also bans insurance companies from withholding ADAS repair information in estimates and makes violations of these rules unfair trade practices under Maryland's Consumer Protection Act. This directly affects repair shops, insurance providers, and vehicle owners by standardizing ADAS recalibration procedures and increasing transparency in repair costs.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires ADAS recalibration licensing to ensure safety compliance, enhancing vehicle safety standards under transportation regulations.90% confidence

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 833: Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in Maryland - Reestablishment

HB 833 reestablishes Maryland's Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety with updated membership and a focused mandate. The commission, composed of 27+ members including state agencies, fire departments, battery manufacturers, recyclers, and industry representatives, will study key safety issues like preventing fires in consumer/transportation applications, recycling standards, port/rail risks, and insurance impacts. It must submit an interim report by December 1, 2026, with recommendations on best practices, training, and regulatory approaches. This bill directly affects state agencies, first responders, and industries handling lithium-ion batteries, but does not enact new laws - only directs the commission to study and advise.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used in renewable energy storage and EVs, supporting clean energy infrastructure adoption through mandatory safety studies and recycling standards.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFocus on battery recycling standards and safety prevents pollution, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates commission to study lithium-ion battery safety in transportation applications, including fire prevention in vehicles/transit systems, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Recycling Ports Rail

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 894: Land Use - Transit-Oriented Development - Alterations (Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act)

HB 894, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, automatically designates qualifying transit-oriented developments (near rail stations with at least hourly service Monday-Friday 8am-6pm) as enterprise zones, granting tax incentives without separate approval. The bill requires the Maryland Development Corporation to prioritize redevelopment projects near transit in its loan programs and delays certain development fees for residential housing projects. It also changes local land use regulations near transit stations by altering municipal authority to restrict development in these areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill grants tax incentives for transit-oriented developments and delays development fees, directly advancing tax policy and fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAutomatically designates transit-oriented developments as enterprise zones for tax incentives, prioritizes transit-redevelopment in loan programs, and delays residential development fees - directly advancing housing development.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates tax incentives for transit-oriented developments, prioritizes transit-redevelopment in loans, and delays fees for housing near transit, directly advancing public transit infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Land Use Property Development Zoning Rail

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

HB 1019: School Bus Transition - Propane-Powered School Buses - Grant Program, Fund, and Purchase

HB 1019 creates a grant program and dedicated fund to help Maryland school districts transition from diesel school buses to either propane-powered or zero-emission buses. The program provides grants to cover the extra costs of purchasing or operating these cleaner buses, as well as for infrastructure installation (for zero-emission buses), planning, and pilot programs. Funding comes from state appropriations, interest earnings, donations, and legal settlements specifically earmarked for this purpose. The bill updates existing law to explicitly include propane-powered buses in the transition program, which previously only covered zero-emission vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state appropriations fund for school bus transition grants, increasing public service funding through direct budget allocation90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for cleaner school buses, improving school infrastructure and access through funding for transition costs, aligning with education infrastructure support indicators.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, reducing diesel dependence and promoting cleaner energy infrastructure through grants and dedicated funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, directly reducing diesel emissions and promoting cleaner transportation infrastructure per its grant program.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and cleaner vehicle regulations through dedicated grants and infrastructure support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement School Transportation Electric Vehicles Public Transit

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 1086: Montgomery County - Crosswalk Monitoring Systems - Authorization MC 10-26

HB 1086 authorizes Montgomery County to install crosswalk monitoring systems in school zones to detect vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians. Drivers recorded by these systems who do not yield can be cited and fined for violations. Fines collected from these citations go directly to Montgomery County for roadway safety improvements, not to the state. The bill specifically applies to school zone crosswalks and modifies how citations are processed for this enforcement method.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes crosswalk monitoring in school zones to enhance pedestrian safety, with fines funding roadway safety improvements directly related to transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 936: Vehicle Laws - Bus Obstruction Monitoring Systems and Bus Stop Zones

SB 936 updates Maryland's vehicle laws to prohibit drivers from parking, stopping, or standing in a bus stop zone when a transit bus is present. This directly affects drivers who park in designated bus stop areas during bus stops. The bill adds a new rule (Section 21-1003(GG)) allowing exceptions only for authorized personnel or drivers actively loading/unloading passengers with hazard lights on. It also revises related provisions about bus obstruction monitoring systems and their use in enforcement, replacing outdated references to "bus lane" with "bus obstruction." The law aims to improve bus stop efficiency by reducing obstructions.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits parking in bus stop zones during bus stops, enhancing public transit safety and efficiency by preventing obstruction of bus operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 868: State Highway Administration - Maryland Route 410 (East-West Highway) Pedestrian Safety Action Plan - Expansion

SB 868 requires the State Highway Administration to expand the existing Maryland Route 410 (East-West Highway) Pedestrian Safety Action Plan to include the segment east of Queens Chapel Road (MD 500) to U.S. Route 1 (Baltimore Avenue) in Prince George’s County. This expansion directly affects pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers using this corridor, which currently lacks continuous safety infrastructure despite high traffic volumes and documented severe crash incidents. The bill mandates including this previously excluded segment to ensure consistent safety features like sidewalks, crossings, and lighting along the entire corridor, aligning with Vision Zero safety principles. The change applies to a specific 2.5-mile stretch of East-West Highway, extending the project’s scope to address safety gaps identified in the preamble.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates expansion of pedestrian safety infrastructure on highway corridor, directly addressing safety gaps and crash incidents per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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