Bill > HB780

This bill modifies Maryland's transportation laws regarding speed limits on urban highways, specifically empowering the State Highway Administration (SHA) to decrease speed limits by 5 miles per hour on certain urban highways without conducting a prior engineering and traffic investigation. An "urban highway" is defined as a highway with specific characteristics, such as being constructed with curb and gutter, located within urban boundaries, or within a municipal corporation, and part of the state highway system. The bill requires the SHA to publish notice of any proposed speed limit reduction on its website and in a local newspaper at least 30 days before implementation. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of speed monitoring systems to enforce the new reduced speed limits for 6 months after the decrease unless an engineering and traffic investigation is performed. The new provisions aim to provide the SHA with more flexibility in adjusting speed limits while ensuring public transparency and maintaining safety considerations. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, giving local authorities time to prepare for the potential changes.

Justice, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0780?ys=2025RS