MD
Maryland House Bill HB1507

Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB1507 Compare Versions

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1- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 649
21
3-– 1 –
4-Chapter 649
5-(House Bill 1507)
62
7-AN ACT concerning
3+EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4+ [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5+ Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6+ Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7+amendment.
8+ *hb1507*
89
9-Transportation – Major Change in Bus Service – Impacts Report Publication on
10-Website
10+HOUSE BILL 1507
11+R2 4lr3422
12+ CF SB 70
13+By: Delegate Addison Delegates Addison, Lehman, Ruth, and Terrasa
14+Introduced and read first time: February 21, 2024
15+Assigned to: Rules and Executive Nominations
16+Re–referred to: Environment and Transportation, March 5, 2024
17+Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
18+House action: Adopted
19+Read second time: March 17, 2024
1120
12-FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Transit Administration, before announcing any
13-reduction or cancellation of an existing bus route or line, to compile a report on the
14-impacts of the proposed service reduction or cancellation; requiring the
15-Administration to publish the report on its website at least a certain number of days
16-before the required public hearing on the proposed service change altering the
17-information that the Maryland Transit Administration is required to publish on its
18-website before holding a public hearing on a major service change; requiring the
19-Administration to distribute the report a certain report on proposed major service
20-changes to certain officials and entities; and generally relating to service reductions
21-or cancellations of major service changes for existing bus routes.
21+CHAPTER ______
2222
23-BY adding to repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
24- Article – Transportation
25-Section 7–508 7–716
26- Annotated Code of Maryland
27- (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
28- (As enacted by Chapters 583 and 584 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2023)
23+AN ACT concerning 1
2924
30- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
31-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
25+Transportation – Major Change in Bus Service – Impacts Report Publication on 2
26+Website 3
3227
33-Article – Transportation
28+FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Transit Administration, before announcing any 4
29+reduction or cancellation of an existing bus route or line, to compile a report on the 5
30+impacts of the proposed service reduction or cancellation; requiring the 6
31+Administration to publish the report on its website at least a certain number of days 7
32+before the required public hearing on the proposed service change altering the 8
33+information that the Maryland Transit Administration is required to publish on its 9
34+website before holding a public hearing on a major service change; requiring the 10
35+Administration to distribute the report a certain report on proposed major service 11
36+changes to certain officials and entities; and generally relating to service reductions 12
37+or cancellations of major service changes for existing bus routes. 13
3438
35-7–508.
39+BY adding to repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 14
40+ Article – Transportation 15
41+Section 7–508 7–716 16
42+ Annotated Code of Maryland 17
43+ (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 18
44+ (As enacted by Chapters 583 and 584 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2023) 19
3645
37- (A) IN THIS SECTION, “ROUTE” MEANS A BUS ROUTE OR BUS LINE.
46+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 20
47+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 21
48+ 2 HOUSE BILL 1507
3849
39- (B) BEFORE ANNOUNCING ANY SERVICE REDUCTION OR CANCELLATION OF
40-AN EXISTING ROUTE , THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL COMPILE A REPORT ON THE
41-IMPACTS OF THE PROPO SED SERVICE REDUCTIO N OR CANCELLATION TH AT
42-INCLUDES:
4350
44- (1) INFORMATION ON THE ROUTE , INCLUDING A DESCRIPT ION OF:
51+Article – Transportation 1
4552
46- (I) THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF :
53+7–508. 2
4754
48- 1. THE RIDERS ON THE ROU TE; AND Ch. 649 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
55+ (A) IN THIS SECTION, “ROUTE” MEANS A BUS ROUTE OR BUS LINE. 3
4956
50-– 2 –
57+ (B) BEFORE ANNOUNCING ANY SERVICE REDUCTION OR CANCELLATION OF 4
58+AN EXISTING ROUTE , THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL COMPILE A REPORT ON THE 5
59+IMPACTS OF THE PROPO SED SERVICE REDUCTION OR CANCELL ATION THAT 6
60+INCLUDES: 7
5161
52- 2. THE SERVICE AREA ;
62+ (1) INFORMATION ON THE RO UTE, INCLUDING A DESCRIPT ION OF: 8
5363
54- (II) THE SCHOOLS IN THE SE RVICE AREA;
64+ (I) THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF : 9
5565
56- (III) THE TYPES OF BUSINESS ES IN THE SERVICE AR EA;
66+ 1. THE RIDERS ON THE ROU TE; AND 10
5767
58- (IV) THE MONTHLY RIDERSHIP ON THE ROU TE; AND
68+ 2. THE SERVICE AREA ; 11
5969
60- (V) THE EFFECT THAT THE S ERVICE REDUCTION OR
61-CANCELLATION WOULD H AVE ON THE COMMUTES OF RIDERS ON THE ROU TE;
70+ (II) THE SCHOOLS IN THE SE RVICE AREA; 12
6271
63- (2) A DESCRIPTION OF THE C ONTENTS OF ANY MINUT ES, RECORDS,
64-OR DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE SERVICE REDUC TION OR CANCELLATION ; AND
72+ (III) THE TYPES OF BUSINESSES IN THE SERVICE AREA; 13
6573
66- (3) A BRIEF STATEMENT EXPL AINING THE REASON FO R THE SERVICE
67-REDUCTION OR CANCELL ATION.
74+ (IV) THE MONTHLY RIDERSHIP ON THE ROUTE ; AND 14
6875
69- (C) AT LEAST 30 DAYS BEFORE THE PUBL IC HEARING REQUIRED UNDER §
70-7–506 OF THIS SUBTITLE , THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL :
76+ (V) THE EFFECT THAT THE S ERVICE REDUCTION OR 15
77+CANCELLATION WOULD H AVE ON THE COMMUTES OF RIDERS ON THE ROU TE; 16
7178
72- (1) PUBLISH THE REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S WEBSITE WITH
73-A VISIBLE LINK IDENT IFYING THE IMPACTED ROUTE ON THE PRIMARY PAGE; AND
79+ (2) A DESCRIPTION OF THE C ONTENTS OF ANY MINUT ES, RECORDS, 17
80+OR DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE SERVICE REDUC TION OR CANCELLATION ; AND 18
7481
75- (2) DISTRIBUTE THE REPORT TO:
82+ (3) A BRIEF STATEMENT EXPL AINING THE REASON FO R THE SERVICE 19
83+REDUCTION OR CANCELL ATION. 20
7684
77- (I) THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION ; AND
85+ (C) AT LEAST 30 DAYS BEFORE THE PUBL IC HEARING REQUIRED UNDER § 21
86+7–506 OF THIS SUBTITLE , THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL : 22
7887
79- (II) IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE
80-GOVERNMENT ARTICLE:
88+ (1) PUBLISH THE REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S WEBSITE WITH 23
89+A VISIBLE LINK IDENT IFYING THE IMPACTED ROUTE ON THE PRIMARY PAGE; AND 24
8190
82- 1. THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE;
91+ (2) DISTRIBUTE THE REPORT TO: 25
8392
84- 2. THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE;
93+ (I) THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION ; AND 26
94+ HOUSE BILL 1507 3
8595
86- 3. THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE;
8796
88- 4. THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION
89-COMMITTEE; AND
97+ (II) IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE 1
98+GOVERNMENT ARTICLE: 2
9099
91- 5. EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE
92-DISTRICT WOULD BE IM PACTED BY THE PROPOSED SERVICE RED UCTION OR
93-CANCELLATION OF THE ROUTE.
94- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 649
100+ 1. THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; 3
95101
96-– 3 –
97-7–716.
102+ 2. THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; 4
98103
99- (a) Before announcing any service change that would constitute a major service
100-change under the Federal Transit Administration’s Title VI Requirements and Guidelines
101-for Federal Transit Administration Recipients, the Department, in collaboration with the
102-Administration, shall:
104+ 3. THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE; 5
103105
104- (1) Conduct a transit equity analysis in accordance with the federal
105-Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act and the federal Rehabilitation Act of
106-1973 as amended to determine whether the change will create a disparate impact on
107-persons with disabilities;
106+ 4. THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION 6
107+COMMITTEE; AND 7
108108
109- (2) Conduct a transit equity analysis in accordance with the Title VI
110-Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients to determine
111-whether the change will create a disparate impact or a disproportionate burden;
109+ 5. EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE 8
110+DISTRICT WOULD BE IM PACTED BY THE PROPOS ED SERVICE REDUCTION OR 9
111+CANCELLATION OF THE ROUTE. 10
112112
113- (3) Perform a cost–benefit analysis, including an analysis of impacts on:
113+7–716. 11
114114
115- (i) Economic development;
115+ (a) Before announcing any service change that would constitute a major service 12
116+change under the Federal Transit Administration’s Title VI Requirements and Guidelines 13
117+for Federal Transit Administration Recipients, the Department, in collaboration with the 14
118+Administration, shall: 15
116119
117- (ii) Employment;
120+ (1) Conduct a transit equity analysis in accordance with the federal 16
121+Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act and the federal Rehabilitation Act of 17
122+1973 as amended to determine whether the change will create a disparate impact on 18
123+persons with disabilities; 19
118124
119- (iii) Education;
125+ (2) Conduct a transit equity analysis in accordance with the Title VI 20
126+Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients to determine 21
127+whether the change will create a disparate impact or a disproportionate burden; 22
120128
121- (iv) Health; and
129+ (3) Perform a cost–benefit analysis, including an analysis of impacts on: 23
122130
123- (v) Environmental justice; and
131+ (i) Economic development; 24
124132
125- (4) Consult with members and leaders of affected communities, including
126-through community outreach to:
133+ (ii) Employment; 25
127134
128- (i) Racial minority communities;
135+ (iii) Education; 26
129136
130- (ii) Low–income communities;
137+ (iv) Health; and 27
131138
132- (iii) Disabled riders;
139+ (v) Environmental justice; and 28
133140
134- (iv) Riders with limited English proficiency;
141+ (4) Consult with members and leaders of affected communities, including 29
142+through community outreach to: 30 4 HOUSE BILL 1507
135143
136- (v) Transit–reliant riders; and
137144
138- (vi) Senior riders.
139145
140- (b) (1) If a transit equity analysis reveals disparate impact or disproportionate
141-burden, the Administration shall:
142- Ch. 649 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
146+ (i) Racial minority communities; 1
143147
144-– 4 –
145- (i) Develop alternatives that would meet the goals of the proposed
146-service change; and
148+ (ii) Low–income communities; 2
147149
148- (ii) Conduct a transit equity analysis on the alternatives.
150+ (iii) Disabled riders; 3
149151
150- (2) If a disparate impact can be avoided through use of one of the
151-alternatives analyzed, the Administration shall proceed with that alternative as the
152-primary proposed service change.
152+ (iv) Riders with limited English proficiency; 4
153153
154- (3) If there is no alternative that would avoid a disparate impact or
155-disproportionate burden, the Administration:
154+ (v) Transit–reliant riders; and 5
156155
157- (i) May not implement the proposed service change unless a
158-substantial justification exists that necessitates the change; and
156+ (vi) Senior riders. 6
159157
160- (ii) Shall implement the alternative that causes the least disparate
161-impact or disproportionate burden.
158+ (b) (1) If a transit equity analysis reveals disparate impact or disproportionate 7
159+burden, the Administration shall: 8
162160
163- (c) Before holding a public hearing on a proposed service change, the
164-Administration shall publish on the Administration’s website WITH A VISIBLE LINK
165-IDENTIFYING THE PROP OSED SERVICE CHANGE ON THE PRIMARY PAGE , for the
166-routes [or lines], LINES, OR ANY CORRESPONDING PARATRANSIT SERVICE AREA
167-impacted by the service change[, an evaluation on the demographics of:
161+ (i) Develop alternatives that would meet the goals of the proposed 9
162+service change; and 10
168163
169- (1) The riders of the routes or lines; and
164+ (ii) Conduct a transit equity analysis on the alternatives. 11
170165
171- (2) The service area]:
166+ (2) If a disparate impact can be avoided through use of one of the 12
167+alternatives analyzed, the Administration shall proceed with that alternative as the 13
168+primary proposed service change. 14
172169
173- (1) A DESCRIPTION OF :
170+ (3) If there is no alternative that would avoid a disparate impact or 15
171+disproportionate burden, the Administration: 16
174172
175- (I) THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF :
173+ (i) May not implement the proposed service change unless a 17
174+substantial justification exists that necessitates the change; and 18
176175
177- 1. THE RIDERS ON THE AFF ECTED ROUTE , LINE, OR
178-PARATRANSIT SERVICE AREA; AND
176+ (ii) Shall implement the alternative that causes the least disparate 19
177+impact or disproportionate burden. 20
179178
180- 2. THE AFFECTED SERVICE AREA;
179+ (c) Before holding a public hearing on a proposed service change, the 21
180+Administration shall publish on the Administration’s website WITH A VISIBLE LINK 22
181+IDENTIFYING THE PROP OSED SERVICE CHANGE ON THE PRIMARY PAGE , for the 23
182+routes [or lines], LINES, OR ANY CORRESPONDING PARATRANSIT SERVICE AREA 24
183+impacted by the service change[, an evaluation on the demographics of: 25
181184
182- (II) THE SCHOOLS IN THE AF FECTED SERVICE AREA ;
185+ (1) The riders of the routes or lines; and 26
183186
184- (III) THE TYPES OF BUSINESS ES IN THE AFFECTED S ERVICE
185-AREA;
187+ (2) The service area]: 27
186188
187- (IV) THE MONTHLY RIDERSHIP FOR THE ROUTE , LINE, OR
188-SERVICE AREA; AND
189- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 649
189+ (1) A DESCRIPTION OF : 28
190+ HOUSE BILL 1507 5
190191
191-– 5 –
192- (V) THE EFFECT THAT THE P ROPOSED SERVICE CHAN GE
193-WOULD HAVE ON:
194192
195- 1. THE COMMUTES OF RIDER S ON THE ROUTE , LINE, OR
196-SERVICE AREA;
193+ (I) THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF : 1
197194
198- 2. THE CORRESPONDING PAR ATRANSIT SERVICE ARE A;
199-AND
195+ 1. THE RIDERS ON THE AFF ECTED ROUTE , LINE, OR 2
196+PARATRANSIT SERVICE AREA ; AND 3
200197
201- 3. THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PARATRANSIT RIDER S
202-IMPACTED;
198+ 2. THE AFFECTED SERVICE AREA; 4
203199
204- (2) A SUMMARY OF ANY PUBLI CLY AVAILABLE MINUTE S, RECORDS,
205-OR DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGE; AND
200+ (II) THE SCHOOLS IN THE AF FECTED SERVICE AREA ; 5
206201
207- (3) A BRIEF STATEMENT EXPL AINING THE REASON FO R THE
208-PROPOSED SERVICE CHA NGE.
202+ (III) THE TYPES OF BUSINESS ES IN THE AFFECTED S ERVICE 6
203+AREA; 7
209204
210- (d) (1) After completing the public hearings, the Administration shall:
205+ (IV) THE MONTHLY RIDERSHIP FOR THE ROUTE , LINE, OR 8
206+SERVICE AREA; AND 9
211207
212- (i) Publish the transit equity analysis and cost–benefit analysis on
213-the Administration’s website; and
208+ (V) THE EFFECT THAT THE P ROPOSED SERVICE CHAN GE 10
209+WOULD HAVE ON : 11
214210
215- (ii) Compile a report on the impacts of the proposed service change.
211+ 1. THE COMMUTES OF RIDER S ON THE ROUTE , LINE, OR 12
212+SERVICE AREA; 13
216213
217- (2) The report shall include:
214+ 2. THE CORRESPONDING PAR ATRANSIT SERVICE ARE A; 14
215+AND 15
218216
219- (i) The transit equity analysis;
217+ 3. THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PARATRANSIT RIDER S 16
218+IMPACTED; 17
220219
221- (ii) The cost–benefit analysis;
220+ (2) A SUMMARY OF ANY PUBLICL Y AVAILABLE MINUTES , RECORDS, 18
221+OR DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE PROPOSED SERV ICE CHANGE; AND 19
222222
223- (iii) A community outreach report;
223+ (3) A BRIEF STATEMENT EXPL AINING THE REASON FO R THE 20
224+PROPOSED SERVICE CHA NGE. 21
224225
225- (iv) Any alternatives analyzed; and
226+ (d) (1) After completing the public hearings, the Administration shall: 22
226227
227- (v) If applicable, the final alternative selected.
228+ (i) Publish the transit equity analysis and cost–benefit analysis on 23
229+the Administration’s website; and 24
228230
229- (3) If a disparate impact or disproportionate burden exists in the final
230-alternative selected, the report shall include a substantial justification statement.
231+ (ii) Compile a report on the impacts of the proposed service change. 25
231232
232- (4) The report shall be:
233+ (2) The report shall include: 26
233234
234- (i) Made available to the public on the Administration’s website,
235-with a visible link from the primary information page relating to the proposed service
236-change; and Ch. 649 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
235+ (i) The transit equity analysis; 27
237236
238-– 6 –
237+ (ii) The cost–benefit analysis; 28 6 HOUSE BILL 1507
239238
240- (ii) Distributed to:
241239
242- 1. The members of the Board of Public Works;
243240
244- 2. The Attorney General;
241+ (iii) A community outreach report; 1
245242
246- 3. The Secretary of Transportation;
243+ (iv) Any alternatives analyzed; and 2
247244
248- 4. Any elected officials whose districts would be impacted by
249-the proposed service change;
245+ (v) If applicable, the final alternative selected. 3
250246
251- 5. Any community leaders consulted during the community
252-outreach process; and
247+ (3) If a disparate impact or disproportionate burden exists in the final 4
248+alternative selected, the report shall include a substantial justification statement. 5
253249
254- 6. In accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government
255-Article:
250+ (4) The report shall be: 6
256251
257- A. The President of the Senate;
252+ (i) Made available to the public on the Administration’s website, 7
253+with a visible link from the primary information page relating to the proposed service 8
254+change; and 9
258255
259- B. The Speaker of the House;
256+ (ii) Distributed to: 10
260257
261- C. The Senate Finance Committee; [and]
258+ 1. The members of the Board of Public Works; 11
262259
263- D. The House Environment and Transportation Committee;
264-AND
260+ 2. The Attorney General; 12
265261
266- E. EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE
267-DISTRICT WOULD BE IM PACTED BY THE PROPOS ED SERVICE CHANGE .
262+ 3. The Secretary of Transportation; 13
268263
269- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
270-October 1, 2024.
264+ 4. Any elected officials whose districts would be impacted by 14
265+the proposed service change; 15
271266
272-Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024.
267+ 5. Any community leaders consulted during the community 16
268+outreach process; and 17
269+
270+ 6. In accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government 18
271+Article: 19
272+
273+ A. The President of the Senate; 20
274+
275+ B. The Speaker of the House; 21
276+
277+ C. The Senate Finance Committee; [and] 22
278+
279+ D. The House Environment and Transportation Committee; 23
280+AND 24
281+
282+ E. EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE 25
283+DISTRICT WOULD BE IM PACTED BY THE PROPOS ED SERVICE CHANGE . 26
284+
285+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That t his Act shall take effect 27
286+October 1, 2024. 28 HOUSE BILL 1507 7
287+
288+
289+
290+
291+
292+
293+Approved:
294+________________________________________________________________________________
295+ Governor.
296+________________________________________________________________________________
297+ Speaker of the House of Delegates.
298+________________________________________________________________________________
299+ President of the Senate.