Bill > SB198

This bill reforms Maryland's transportation planning and project selection processes, with several key provisions. It revises the composition of the Maryland Transportation Commission by reducing the number of members from 17 to 12, with the Secretary serving as chair and members now including eight gubernatorial appointees (at least four from urban areas and two from rural areas), two members appointed by the House Speaker, and two appointed by the Senate President. The bill introduces a new project-based scoring system for major surface transportation projects, requiring the Department of Transportation to evaluate projects using objective, quantifiable measures across six policy goals: safety, accessibility and mobility, climate change and environment, social equity, economic development, and land use and transportation demand management. The scoring will consider a project's benefits relative to its cost, and projects must be evaluated to be included in the Consolidated Transportation Program. The bill also establishes new requirements for the Maryland Transportation Plan, including developing performance measures, considering equity in transportation, and creating more transparent reporting on transportation investments. Additionally, the legislation mandates the development of asset management practices for both transit and highway systems, including establishing long-term performance targets for infrastructure conditions. The bill aims to make transportation planning more systematic, transparent, and aligned with broader state policy goals.

Budget and Finance

Budget and Taxation (Senate)

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0198?ys=2025RS