Maryland House Bill HB1068

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/25
• Refer: 2/5/25

Caption

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Summary

HB1068, titled the Maryland Toll Rate Reform Act of 2025, would change how the Maryland Transportation Authority sets and uses toll revenue. The bill requires the Authority to set tolls, fees, and other charges at a “near optimal toll rate,” defined as a rate that produces at least 95% of the maximum revenue the Authority determines is possible for a facility. In determining that rate, the Authority must consider market forces, traffic patterns, demand elasticity, alternate routes, and time-based pricing factors such as time of day, season, weekends, and holidays. The bill also creates a new Transportation Facilities Overage Account in the Transportation Trust Fund. Revenue collected above the amounts needed under existing bond and operating requirements would be deposited into that account rather than remaining solely within the tolling structure for the facility. The Department of Transportation would then allocate those funds to highway and transit projects that support or relieve traffic around Maryland Transportation Authority facilities, including construction and maintenance of feeder highways, congestion-relief projects, and nearby alternative transportation options for commuters and cargo.

Impact

HB1068 would amend Maryland Transportation Article provisions governing the Maryland Transportation Authority’s toll-setting authority and the Transportation Trust Fund. It adds a new Transportation Facilities Overage Account, expands the list of Transportation Trust Fund accounts, and directs excess toll revenue to specified transportation projects near MDTA facilities. The bill would also require the Authority to consider targeted discounts for seniors, daily commuters, low-income residents, E-ZPass holders, and nearby residents when setting toll rates, and it preserves existing reporting requirements to legislative committees before toll changes are made.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text, the measure appears to be framed as a revenue-optimization and congestion-management proposal rather than a toll reduction bill. The inclusion of commuter and resident discounts suggests an effort to soften the impact on frequent users while still maximizing revenue. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition from hearings or floor action in the supplied materials.

Contention

The main points of contention are likely to be the bill’s mandate that MDTA maximize toll revenue and its creation of a new account to capture and redirect excess collections. Supporters may view this as a way to fund needed transportation improvements and congestion relief near toll facilities, while critics may argue it effectively normalizes higher tolls and could burden drivers, commuters, and nearby residents. Another likely issue is the bill’s reliance on the Authority’s discretion in determining the “optimal” toll rate and in allocating overage funds, which may raise concerns about transparency, accountability, and whether the promised discounts would be sufficient.