Transportation (Roads & Highways)

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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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 12, 2026

SB 68: Driver’s Licenses – Driver Skills Examination – Motorcycle Safety Awareness (D. Torch Road Safety Act)

SB 68 requires Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration to add at least five motorcycle safety questions to the driver skills exam for all new or upgraded driver's licenses. These questions will cover specific topics like motorcycle visibility, proper lane positioning, safe following distances, and crash prevention around motorcycles. The bill directly affects every driver's license applicant in Maryland who takes the skills exam, including those seeking motorcycle licenses. It becomes effective on October 1, 2026, without altering existing vision or road test requirements.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAdds motorcycle safety questions to driver exams, enhancing road safety standards for all license applicants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 288: Transportation - Highway User Revenues Capital Grants - Calculation

SB 288 adjusts how Maryland calculates capital grants distributed from highway user revenues to local governments. It increases Baltimore City's share from 8.3% to 12.2% starting in fiscal year 2026, raises county allocations from 4.8% to 15.2% beginning in 2027, and modifies municipal percentages (to 3.0% then 2.4% after 2027). These changes apply to funds in the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account, which includes fuel taxes and vehicle-related fees. The bill directly affects Baltimore City, counties, and municipalities receiving transportation capital grants.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases Baltimore City and county allocations from highway user revenues for capital grants, directly funding transportation infrastructure projects through adjusted percentage distributions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 437: Transportation - Major Highway Capacity Expansion Projects and Impact Assessments (Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026)

HB 437, the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026, requires Maryland’s Department of Transportation to conduct impact assessments for major highway expansion projects costing over $100 million. These assessments must evaluate greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled, and the department must develop a multimodal transportation program (including transit, biking, and pedestrian improvements) to offset emissions from the project. The program must prioritize overburdened and underserved communities affected by the project, aiming for net-zero or negative greenhouse gas emissions when combined with the highway project. This applies to projects not already funded or reviewed before June 30, 2026, and affects highway planning decisions across the state.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires emissions assessments and multimodal programs to offset highway projects, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing climate-aligned transportation infrastructure85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires GHG assessments and multimodal programs to offset emissions from highway projects, directly advancing climate goals and reducing transportation-related pollution.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates emissions assessments for highway expansions and requires multimodal programs (transit/biking/pedestrian) to offset impacts, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 559: Transportation - Highway User Revenues Capital Grants - Calculation

HB 559 revises how Maryland distributes highway user revenue funds for capital grants to Baltimore City, counties, and municipalities. It changes the percentage allocations from the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account across specific fiscal years: Baltimore City’s share increases to 12.2% for 2026-2027 (down to 9.5% after 2028), counties’ share rises to 4.8% for 2026-2027 (then 3.7%), and municipalities’ share grows to 3.0% for 2026-2027 (then 2.4%). These adjustments apply to funds calculated annually based on highway user revenues like fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees. The bill directly affects local governments receiving these state-funded transportation grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReallocates existing highway user tax revenues to fund transportation capital grants, directly managing state budget allocations for infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRevises allocation percentages for highway user revenue capital grants, directly funding transportation infrastructure projects across Baltimore City, counties, and municipalities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 59: Transportation - Major Highway Capacity Expansion Projects and Impact Assessments (Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026)

SB 59 requires Maryland’s Department of Transportation to conduct impact assessments for major highway expansion projects costing over $100 million, measuring their effects on greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled. It mandates that projects include a multimodal transportation program (focusing on transit, bike paths, and pedestrian improvements) to offset emissions, with priority given to overburdened and underserved communities impacted by the project. The bill also requires the Department to evaluate all major capital projects in the Consolidated Transportation Program for climate impacts starting in 2028, aiming for net-zero or negative emissions from these projects. These requirements apply to projects not already funded or reviewed before 2026, aligning transportation planning with state climate goals.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires emissions assessments and multimodal offsets for highway projects, reducing transportation-related fossil fuel dependence.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires emissions impact assessments and mandates multimodal programs to offset greenhouse gas emissions from highway projects, aligning transportation with climate goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires emissions assessments and multimodal programs (transit/bike/pedestrian) for highway expansions, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure within the project requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 258: Real Property - Dedication - Roads

SB 258 establishes that private roads open to public travel for 20+ years are automatically considered offered for dedication to public use. If a state, county, or municipality maintains such a road like a public road (before or after the 20-year period), it is deemed accepted as a public road. The bill prohibits local governments from passing laws conflicting with these rules and clarifies that other dedication methods remain available. This directly affects property owners with long-used private roads and local governments responsible for road maintenance. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates automatic public dedication of private roads open to public travel for 20+ years, integrating them into public infrastructure and ensuring maintenance as public roads, strengthening transportation network management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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

HB 441: Prince George's County - Speed Monitoring Systems - Maryland Route 210 - Penalties PG 306-26

HB 441 modifies Maryland law to allow the Motor Vehicle Administration to suspend vehicle registrations for drivers who repeatedly ignore speed violations recorded by cameras on Maryland Route 210 (Indian Head Highway) in Prince George’s County. It requires registration suspension if a driver fails to pay fines for three or more overdue citations within 90 days, or for total fines exceeding $500. Vehicle owners must pay all overdue fines plus a $30 fee to restore registration. The bill also mandates annual reports to the legislature on suspension and reinstatement statistics, including geographic data. This applies only to violations captured by speed monitoring systems on this specific highway.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnforces speed camera penalties on highway to reduce speeding, directly enhancing road safety per transportation topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 2, 2026

HB 381: State Highway Administration - Urban Core and Urban Center Traffic Control Devices - No Turn on Red

HB 381 requires Maryland's State Highway Administration to install traffic control devices prohibiting right turns on red at specific intersections on state highways in urban cores and urban centers by July 1, 2029. It directly affects drivers at these intersections by changing the default rule from "turns on red are permitted unless prohibited" to "turns on red are prohibited unless allowed by a sign." The bill amends existing law to mandate these devices while allowing exceptions if installation would significantly impair public safety. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, with full implementation required by 2029.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates traffic control devices to prohibit right turns on red in urban areas, directly enhancing road safety at intersections per transportation safety indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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