Bill > HB916

This bill establishes three regional transportation authorities: the Baltimore Region Transportation Authority, the Capital Region Transportation Authority, and the Southern Maryland Region Transportation Authority, each responsible for developing and implementing transportation plans within their respective areas, which are defined as Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, and Howard Counties for the Baltimore Region; Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties for the Capital Region; and Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's Counties for the Southern Maryland Region. To fund these initiatives, the bill imposes new surcharges: a 0.5% transportation authority surcharge on retail sales and uses of tangible property and taxable services, and a 1% transportation authority hotel surcharge on transient guest room rentals within these regions. Additionally, a 0.15% transportation authority transfer tax surcharge is imposed on property transfers recorded within these regions. The revenue generated from these surcharges will be directed to dedicated "special, nonlapsing" funds for each region's transportation authority, with 70% of the collected revenue going to the respective regional transportation fund and 30% distributed to local counties and municipalities within that region, specifically for transportation purposes. The bill also outlines the structure, powers, and duties of these authorities, including their ability to issue bonds to finance transportation projects, and specifies that these bonds will not be considered a debt of the state or local governments. The provisions of this bill, particularly the new surcharges and the establishment of the authorities, are set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0916?ys=2026RS