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.
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.
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.
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 It also revises related provisions about bus obstruction monitoring systems and their use in enforcement, replacing outdated references to "bus lane" with "bus obstruction."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.
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.
SB 558 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 offset damage to the state's oyster population caused by transportation activities at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, including dredging, pier/bridge construction, and shipping channel maintenance. The funding must be included in the governor's annual budget bill. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 950 allows Maryland counties and municipalities to acquire street lighting equipment currently owned by electric companies through purchase or condemnation. It authorizes local governments to convert to customer-owned street lighting tariffs, contract for electricity and maintenance separately, and resolve disputes with utilities through the Public Service Commission. The bill defines key terms like "street lighting equipment" (including all infrastructure for street lighting except joint-use poles) and establishes a method to calculate the equipment's value for purchase. This directly affects local governments seeking greater control over street lighting costs, maintenance, and efficiency upgrades.
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Local Government
SB 649 requires owners of electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment to clearly display business contact information (name, address, phone number) near charging stations. It mandates that all EV electricity sold at retail must be measured and sold in kilowatt-hours, and sets an annual minimum price determined by the Comptroller. Station owners may also charge separate fees for related services, such as fixed fees or time-based charges. The bill directly affects EV charging station operators by standardizing measurement, pricing, and transparency requirements.
SB 947 establishes a new Board of Directors to govern Baltimore Core Transit Service (including local buses, light rail, subway, and paratransit) within the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). It replaces the existing Baltimore Regional Transit Commission with this board, which includes five governor-appointed members (requiring representation from riders, accessibility users, transit providers, and union employees), plus mayoral and county executive appointees. The board will approve major service plans and policies for Baltimore transit operations, while the MTA must contract with the Baltimore Metropolitan Council to study creating a dedicated rail authority. This reform directly affects Baltimore-area transit users, MTA operations, and local government oversight of regional transit services.
SB 275 creates a new license category for manufacturers or distributors that sell *only* electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicles, allowing up to five such licenses statewide. However, it specifically restricts one of those licenses to operate *only* in the City of Bowie. This directly affects EV manufacturers/distributors seeking to open direct-to-consumer dealerships in Bowie without traditional dealership franchises. The bill amends Maryland’s vehicle licensing laws to require that no existing dealer holds a franchise from the applicant, and that no controlling ownership exists between competing EV dealers. It takes effect October 1, 2026.
