Maryland Port Administration - Acquisition of Land in Anne Arundel County - Notice of Public Hearing
HB0354 would amend Maryland Transportation law governing the Maryland Port Administration’s acquisition of land or improvements in Anne Arundel County. Under current law, the Port Administration may not acquire such property without prior county approval after a public hearing. The bill adds a new notice requirement: at least two weeks before the public hearing is announced, the Administration must provide written notice of the hearing to the Anne Arundel County Delegation to the General Assembly.
The bill does not change the underlying approval process for land acquisition, the county’s role in granting approval, or the existing 90-day deemed-approval provision if the county does not respond in writing. It is a procedural transparency measure focused on ensuring local legislators are informed before a hearing on Port Administration land acquisition in Anne Arundel County. The bill would take effect October 1, 2026.
HB0354 would modify Section 6-309 of the Transportation Article, which specifically governs Maryland Port Administration land acquisitions in Anne Arundel County. The practical effect is to impose an additional notice obligation on the Administration before a public hearing, while leaving the county approval framework intact. The affected parties are the Maryland Port Administration, Anne Arundel County, and the Anne Arundel County Delegation to the General Assembly, which would receive advance written notice of hearings related to proposed acquisitions.
Based on the available context, the bill appears to be procedural and informational rather than controversial, and there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes indicating opposition or support. The measure’s framing suggests a neutral-to-positive sentiment around improving communication and legislative awareness regarding Port Administration land purchases in Anne Arundel County. Because the bill had only a hearing scheduled and no recorded vote history in the provided materials, there is no clear evidence of broader debate.
The main point of potential contention is the added notice requirement for the Maryland Port Administration, which could be viewed as an extra administrative step before a hearing is announced. Any concern would likely come from the Port Administration or parties seeking to preserve flexibility in property acquisition timing, while supporters would likely include Anne Arundel County legislators and local stakeholders who want earlier notice and greater transparency. The bill does not appear to alter substantive approval authority, so any disagreement is likely limited to process and timing rather than the underlying policy.