Bill > HB860

This bill establishes new legal provisions for addressing damage to public infrastructure by common carriers (transportation companies that transport people for hire by land, such as car, bus, and railroad companies). The bill defines "common carrier" to include various transportation entities like car companies, motor vehicle companies, railroad companies, and transit companies, while explicitly excluding state or local government-owned entities. It prohibits common carriers and their employees from causing damage to public infrastructure that requires closure, classifying such damage as a public nuisance. The bill allows the State (for state-owned infrastructure) or local government counsel (for locally-owned infrastructure) to bring civil actions against common carriers for such violations. In these actions, the State or local government can seek injunctive and declaratory relief, as well as compensatory damages for infrastructure repair or replacement. Additionally, the bill permits imposing civil penalties of $1,000 per day for each day the public nuisance continues until the infrastructure is sufficiently repaired or replaced. The legislation will take effect on October 1, 2025, and provides a legal mechanism for holding transportation companies accountable for infrastructure damage they cause.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0860?ys=2025RS