Transportation

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 281: Metro Funding Modification Act of 2026

SB 281 modifies Maryland's funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by requiring the Governor to withhold 35% of annual capital grants under specific conditions. It directly affects WMATA, the Washington Suburban Transit District, and collective bargaining units, mandating WMATA to submit detailed safety, financial, and ridership reports annually. Key provisions include withholding funds if WMATA receives a modified audit opinion without a corrective plan, fails to develop a rail signaling transition plan by July 2028, or terminates rail operators due to automation. The bill also requires the Governor to include specific appropriations for WMATA's capital costs and Metrorail subsidies in the state budget. This legislation is contingent on Virginia and D.C. enacting similar funding measures.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesWithholds 35% of WMATA capital grants under audit/financial conditions, restricting budget allocation90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill withholds 35% of WMATA capital grants under conditions, restricting transit funding and weakening operations. This defunding mechanism alignates with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget Rail

Track

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 2, 2026

HB 401: Prince George's County - Speed Monitoring Systems - Maryland Route 5 PG 315-26

HB 401 authorizes Prince George's County to install and operate speed monitoring systems on Maryland Route 5, subject to signage requirements. It requires that all revenue from violations detected by these systems must be used exclusively for highway and pedestrian safety improvements on or near MD Route 5 in the county. The bill also mandates real-time speed display for drivers using these systems. This directly affects Prince George's County (as the implementing jurisdiction) and drivers traveling on MD Route 5. The policy change specifically redirects enforcement revenue toward local safety infrastructure, rather than general county funds.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes speed monitoring systems with revenue directed to highway/pedestrian safety improvements on MD Route 5, advancing transportation safety infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 591: Wicomico County - Highway Pedestrian Safety Act

HB 591, the Wicomico County Highway Pedestrian Safety Act, prohibits people from standing in roadways, shoulders, median dividers, or intersections in Wicomico County that the county or a local municipality has officially designated as "inherently dangerous" (meaning posing serious injury risk that can't be avoided with ordinary care). The law requires clear, state-compliant traffic signs to be posted before police can issue citations for violations, and it specifically applies only to Wicomico County, not statewide. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026, and does not create new penalties but sets conditions for enforcing existing standing restrictions. It directly affects pedestrians, drivers, and local law enforcement in Wicomico County by clarifying when standing in certain locations is prohibited.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits pedestrians in designated dangerous roadway areas to enhance highway safety, directly advancing transportation safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 70: State Highway Administration - Traffic Calming Devices - Study

HB 70 requires Maryland's State Highway Administration to study and develop recommendations for a consistent statewide policy on traffic calming devices (like speed bumps or roundabouts) on state highways. The study must examine best practices, guidelines for when to use such devices, technical support for local governments, and potential partners for policy development. This bill directly affects the State Highway Administration (which must conduct the study), counties and municipalities (which would implement future policies), and the public (as end-users of these devices). The Administration must submit its final report to the Governor and legislature by December 1, 2026, but does not establish new policies or funding.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires study of traffic calming devices to develop safety guidelines for state highways, advancing road safety standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 673: Consumer Goods - Restrictions Based on Energy Source - Prohibition (Energy Equality Act of 2026)

HB 673 prohibits local or state governments from restricting the sale, purchase, or use of consumer goods (such as vehicles, appliances, or other products) solely based on their energy source - like gasoline, electricity, natural gas, or propane. It repeals existing Maryland laws requiring low-emission vehicle programs and sales rules for zero-emission medium/heavy-duty trucks, ending those specific regulatory requirements. The law applies retroactively to all current restrictions and directly affects consumers, dealers, and manufacturers of energy-source-dependent goods. It does not alter federal emissions standards but removes state-level barriers to using diverse energy sources for everyday products.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals low-emission vehicle programs and zero-emission truck requirements, weakening clean energy standards and regulatory mandates for renewable energy transition.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill repeals low-emission vehicle programs and zero-emission truck sales rules, removing regulatory requirements that reduce emissions. This weakens environmental protections by eliminating mandates for cleaner energy sources.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRepeals Maryland's low-emission vehicle programs and zero-emission truck sales requirements, weakening transportation regulations promoting cleaner vehicles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Oil & Gas Electric Vehicles

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 20, 2026

HB 177: Vehicle Laws - Bicycles, Play Vehicles, and Unicycles - Crosswalks

HB 177 allows bicycle, play vehicle, and unicycle riders to enter an intersection on a red traffic signal when facing a pedestrian "walk" signal, provided they yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection. It directly affects cyclists, children's ride-on toys (like scooters or ride-on cars), and unicycles operating at crosswalks. The bill clarifies that these riders have pedestrian-like rights in crosswalks and on sidewalks (while still yielding to pedestrians), and removes certain existing traffic restrictions. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not change general traffic signal requirements for other road users.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies pedestrian-like rights for cyclists/unicycles in crosswalks, enhancing transportation safety standards for non-motorized users.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 55: Vehicle Laws - Speed Monitoring Systems - Residential Districts

HB 55 modifies Maryland's vehicle laws to expand where speed monitoring systems (like photo radar) can be used in residential areas. It updates the definition of "residential district" to require properties along highways to be mainly residential for at least 300 feet and not business areas. The bill specifically authorizes these systems on highways in residential districts with 35 mph limits, school zones, certain roads in Prince George’s County, and high-risk crash locations identified in safety plans. Local governments must first approve their use via public hearing and local law. This affects residents in designated areas and requires new local authorization for speed monitoring enforcement.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes speed monitoring in high-risk zones and school areas to enhance road safety, directly advancing transportation safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

Track

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

HB 114: Motor Vehicles - Accidents - Required Testing for Impaired Driving (Mateo's Law)

HB 114, "Mateo's Law," requires drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents causing death or life-threatening injuries to submit to mandatory breath and blood testing for alcohol or drug impairment. It directly affects drivers detained by police who have reasonable suspicion of impairment (e.g., under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances) following such accidents. The bill mandates testing for blood alcohol concentration or drug content via breath (for alcohol) and blood samples, with police directing the tests under existing legal procedures. Medical personnel performing these tests are protected from civil liability for non-gross-negligent actions. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates evidence collection for impaired driving in fatal/serious accident cases, strengthening law enforcement's ability to prosecute criminal offenses under criminal justice procedures.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates impaired driving testing after fatal/serious accidents, directly enhancing road safety standards per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

died · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 175: City of Cumberland - Speed Monitoring Systems - Tractor Trailers on Interstate 68

SB 175 authorizes the City of Cumberland to install and use traffic cameras (speed monitoring systems) specifically to enforce speed limits for tractor-trailers on certain sections of Interstate 68. This directly affects commercial truck drivers operating combination vehicles (tractor-trailers) traveling on that highway segment within Cumberland. The bill modifies Maryland law to allow these cameras, requiring that any leftover fines collected after covering system costs must fund local public safety programs and transportation improvements along the I-68 corridor in Cumberland. The law also includes definitions for terms like "speed monitoring system" and "erroneous violation" to ensure proper implementation and review of camera-recorded violations. (Note: The bill is pending, with a hearing canceled in January 2026.)

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes speed monitoring for tractor-trailers on I-68 to enforce speed limits, directly enhancing highway safety for commercial vehicles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Roads & Highways

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 292: County Boards of Education - Student Transportation - Sunset Repeal and Study

SB 292 repeals the sunset provisions (automatic expiration dates) for two 2021 laws that allow county boards of education to provide student transportation using non-standard vehicles under specific circumstances. It specifically removes the June 30, 2026, termination dates from Sections 3 of Chapter 197 and Chapter 198 of the 2021 Acts. This change makes the existing student transportation rules permanent, ensuring county boards can continue using non-standard vehicles for certain student transport without needing new legislation. The bill directly affects county school districts and their transportation policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRepeals sunset provisions to maintain county boards' ability to use non-standard vehicles for student transportation, ensuring continued educational access and operational stability for K-12 schools.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRepeals sunset on student transportation rules for non-standard vehicles, ensuring continuity of current policy under vehicle regulations90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Student Health Driver Licensing