HB 319 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

County Boards of Education - Student Transportation - Sunset Repeal and Study

HB 319 repeals the expiration date (sunset) for two 2021 laws that allow county boards of education to use non-standard vehicles for student transportation under specific circumstances. This bill permanently extends the existing authority, meaning county school systems can continue using these alternative transportation methods without needing new legislation. The change directly affects county boards of education and the students they transport, particularly in situations where standard school buses aren't feasible. The policy remains unchanged - it only removes the June 30, 2026, deadline that would have ended the provision automatically.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - County Boards of Education - Student Transportation - Sunset Repeal Third - County Boards of Education - Student Transportation - Sunset Repeal and Study · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to add a requirement for the State Department of Education to study current student transportation regulations and report findings by January 1, 2027. This study will examine vehicle requirements, driver qualifications, and potential alignment with ride-sharing regulations to ensure student safety. The bill also updated its title to reflect this new study component.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from solely repealing a sunset provision to including a mandatory study of existing transportation regulations and their alignment with other industry standards.
REQUIREMENT

Added a mandate for the State Department of Education to review and study current vehicle and driver regulations for student transportation.

TIMELINE

Established a new deadline of January 1, 2027, for the State Department of Education to submit a report on the study results to relevant legislative committees.

SCOPE

Updated the bill's title and purpose statement to include the requirement for studying current regulations alongside the sunset repeal.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 20, 2026

How they voted

460
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
Mar 27, 2026
D Democratic36
33 Yea 3
91% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 683
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-0-3)
senate
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
lower
Feb 20, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (136-0-6)
house of delegates
Jan 16, 2026
Committee
First Reading Ways and Means
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Sheree Sample-Hughes
Sheree Sample-Hughes
DDemocratic
MD
37A