Maryland Senate Bill SB210

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/24
• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/24
• Refer: 1/8/25
• Report Pass: 2/10/25
• Engrossed: 2/13/25
• Refer: 2/14/25
• Report Pass: 3/28/25
• Enrolled: 3/31/25
• Chaptered: 4/8/25
• Passed: 4/8/25

Caption

Maryland Transportation Authority - Tolls, Fees, and Other Charges - Temporary Adjustments

Summary

SB 210 amends Maryland transportation law governing the Maryland Transportation Authority’s ability to adjust tolls, fees, and other charges on its facilities. The bill does not change the Authority’s general power to set and collect tolls and fees, but it revises the emergency-adjustment provision that allows temporary changes when the Authority needs to act quickly to stay in compliance with bond-related agreements or to avoid disruptions to operations. Under the bill, if the Authority declares an emergency status and adopts temporary toll or fee adjustments, that emergency period may now last up to 300 days instead of 180 days. During that period, the temporary adjustments take effect immediately, while the Authority must still begin the public notice and comment process for the underlying proposal. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Impact

The bill amends Section 4-312 of the Transportation Article, extending the maximum duration of an emergency status determination from 180 days to 300 days. This change affects the Maryland Transportation Authority’s toll-setting procedures for fixed toll and variably priced transportation facilities projects, including the timing of temporary toll, fee, mileage rate, pricing period, and toll zone adjustments. It preserves existing public notice and comment requirements but gives the Authority more time to keep temporary adjustments in place while it completes those procedures or addresses bond covenant and operational concerns.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been broadly supported in both chambers, passing the Senate 44-0 and the House 97-35. The vote totals suggest clear overall approval, though the House vote indicates a meaningful minority of opposition. No committee transcripts were provided, so the available record shows support in the final votes but does not identify detailed arguments made during committee review.

Contention

The main point of contention is the extension of the emergency adjustment window from 180 to 300 days, which could be viewed as giving the Maryland Transportation Authority more flexibility to maintain temporary toll or fee changes without completing the full public process within the shorter timeframe. Supporters likely viewed the change as necessary to preserve compliance with bond agreements and operational continuity, while opponents may have been concerned about prolonged temporary charges and reduced pressure to finalize permanent decisions. The bill does not eliminate public notice and comment, but it does lengthen the period during which emergency adjustments can remain in effect.