HB467, the Metro Funding Modification Act of 2025, changes how Maryland calculates and requires its annual state budget contribution for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) capital costs. The bill replaces the prior fixed-dollar approach with a formula tied to Maryland’s proportionate share of a $500 million base amount, adjusted for inflation from fiscal year 2019 and then increased by 3% each year. It also keeps the existing requirement that the Governor include a separate appropriation for WMATA capital costs from the Transportation Trust Fund, but revises the amount and calculation method.
The bill also strengthens reporting and accountability conditions for WMATA funding. Maryland’s appropriation can be withheld if WMATA receives a modified audit opinion and has not submitted a satisfactory corrective action plan, and the Governor may reduce the appropriation if Virginia or the District of Columbia reduce their dedicated capital funding. The measure is contingent on both Virginia and the District of Columbia enacting comparable legislation that provides dedicated WMATA capital funding using the same formula structure and annual increase.
In practical terms, HB467 would amend Section 10-205 of the Transportation Article of the Maryland Code and affect the State’s budget obligations to the Washington Suburban Transit District for WMATA capital expenses. It would also link Maryland’s funding commitment to parallel action by neighboring jurisdictions, making the new formula effective only after those conditions are met and the Department of Transportation notifies legislative services. The bill preserves the use of Transportation Trust Fund revenues for these grants and appropriations.
The general sentiment around the bill appears favorable in the House, as reflected by the committee report and the bill’s passage on third reading. The floor vote was decisive, with 99 yeas and 39 nays, suggesting broad support but not unanimity. A proposed floor amendment was rejected before final passage, indicating some disagreement over the bill’s details or structure.
The main points of contention are likely the size and formula of the required state contribution, the automatic annual increase, and the contingency on Virginia and the District of Columbia adopting similar funding legislation. Another likely issue is the accountability trigger tied to WMATA audit findings and corrective plans, which may be viewed either as necessary oversight or as an added condition on transit funding.
Impact
HB467 would amend Maryland Transportation Article § 10-205 to change the State’s required WMATA capital funding calculation from a fixed appropriation amount to a formula based on Maryland’s proportionate share of an inflation-adjusted $500 million base, with annual 3% growth. It would also preserve and modify the separate grant/appropriation structure funded from the Transportation Trust Fund, add audit-based withholding and corrective-action requirements, and make the new funding scheme contingent on comparable legislation in Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have generally favorable support in the House, with a favorable committee report and passage on third reading by a substantial margin. The rejection of a floor amendment and the 39 opposing votes show that there was meaningful opposition, but the overall trajectory suggests the chamber was willing to advance the measure.
Contention
The likely areas of dispute are the increased and formula-based funding obligation for WMATA, the annual 3% escalation, and the requirement that Maryland’s changes depend on Virginia and the District of Columbia enacting similar laws. Some members may also have objected to the audit-triggered withholding mechanism or to the bill’s effect on future Transportation Trust Fund commitments. The rejected floor amendment suggests at least one attempt to alter the bill’s approach was not accepted.
To provide a per diem allowance for Members of Congress for the costs of lodging, meals, and incidental expenses incurred because of travel to and from the Washington Metropolitan Area in order to cast votes in Congress, and for other purposes.