2021 Priority Legislation

The Transit Caucus has identified 5 priority bills for the 2021 legislative session:

1) P3 Oversight & Reform Act (HB485 / SB361): Strengthens Maryland’s P3 laws to ensure oversight and predictability to protect the financial and environmental health of the state. 

2) Transit Safety and Investment Act (HB114 / SB199): Provides an average annual increase of $175 million for Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)’s capital needs for the next six years. 

3) Zero Emission Bus Transition Act (HB334 / SB137): Requires the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to transition its approximately 800 bus fleet to all electric over time, as the agency procures replacement buses. 

4) Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project Funding (HB414 / SB81): Requires the state to pay over the course of several years for the final environmental planning phase of the Southern MD Rapid Transit Project. 

5) Western Maryland MARC Expansion Study: Requires the Maryland Dept. of Transportation to study the feasibility of expanding commuter rail service to Western Maryland via the MARC Train line and/or currently inactive rail lines. 

Additionally, the caucus endorsed 9 other bills:

• Purple Line Tree Replacement (HB80 / SB359) 

• I-270 Commuter Buses (HB116 / SB242) 

• School Bus Safety – Occupant Capacity (HB87 / SB253) 

• School Pedestrian Safety Plan (HB487) 

• Workgroup on Statewide Vehicle Crash Data Collection & Reporting (HB285) 

• Baltimore City - Complete Streets Program Funding (HB226) 

• Dedicated Bus Lanes – Enforcement (HB284) 

• Prohibited Appropriations - Magnetic Levitation Transportation System (HB63 / SB188) 

• Private Sector Transportation Projects Ombudsman (HB510)