EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*sb0345*
SENATE BILL 345
R2, R1 4lr0916
CF HB 344
By: Senator Waldstreicher
Introduced and read first time: January 15, 2024
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings
Committee Report: Favorable
Senate action: Adopted with floor amendments
Read second time: February 27, 2024
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Transportation – Vision Zero Advisory Commission – Establishment 2
FOR the purpose of establishing the Vision Zero Advisory Commission; and generally 3
relating to the Vision Zero Advisory Commission. 4
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 5
Article – Transportation 6
Section 8–1001, 8–1002, and 8–1003 7
Annotated Code of Maryland 8
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 9
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 10
Article – Transportation 11
Section 8–1007 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 14
BY adding to 15
Article – Transportation 16
Section 8–1008 17
Annotated Code of Maryland 18
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 19
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 20
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 21 2 SENATE BILL 345
Article – Transportation 1
8–1001. 2
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 3
(b) “Coordinator” means the individual designated by the Department to oversee 4
the implementation of Vision Zero throughout the State. 5
(c) “Vision Zero” means a program for planning and developing a State roadway 6
system that has zero vehicle–related deaths or serious injuries. 7
8–1002. 8
There is a program within the Department known as Vision Zero. 9
8–1003. 10
(a) The purpose of Vision Zero is to develop strategies to make roadways safer for 11
drivers and passengers of motor vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. 12
(b) The goal of Vision Zero is to have zero vehicle–related deaths or serious 13
injuries on roadways by the year 2030. 14
8–1007. 15
(a) On or before December 31 each year, the Department shall submit a report 16
[on the status of Vision Zero] to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 17
Government Article, the General Assembly THAT INCLUDES : 18
(1) THE STATUS OF VISION ZERO; AND 19
(2) THE FINDINGS AND RECO MMENDATIONS OF THE VISION ZERO 20
ADVISORY COMMISSION ESTABLISHED UNDER § 8–1008 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 21
(b) The Department shall make the report required under subsection (a) of this 22
section available on its website. 23
8–1008. 24
(A) IN THIS SECTION, “COMMISSION” MEANS THE VISION ZERO ADVISORY 25
COMMISSION. 26
(B) THERE IS A VISION ZERO ADVISORY COMMISSION. 27
SENATE BILL 345 3
(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT ON 1
BEST PRACTICES INTEN DED TO ELIMINATE DEA THS AND SERIOUS INJU RIES ON 2
ROADWAYS IN ALL MODE S OF GROUND TRANSPOR TATION USING DATA –DRIVEN 3
PREVENTION S TRATEGIES, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON A SAFE SYSTEM APPROACH . 4
(D) THE COMMISSION CONSISTS O F THE FOLLOWING MEMB ERS: 5
(1) ONE MEMBER OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAND, APPOINTED BY THE 6
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; 7
(2) ONE MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY THE 8
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; 9
(3) THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION , OR THE SECRETARY’S 10
DESIGNEE; 11
(4) THE SECRETARY OF STATE POLICE OR THE SECRETARY’S 12
DESIGNEE; 13
(5) THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 14
(6) THE SECRETARY OF PLANNING OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 15
(7) THE SECRETARY OF AGING OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 16
(8) THE SECRETARY OF DISABILITIES OR THE SECRETARY’S 17
DESIGNEE; 18
(9) THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS OR THE STATE 19
SUPERINTENDENT ’S DESIGNEE; 20
(10) THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS, APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY OF 21
TRANSPORTATION : 22
(I) THE COORDINATOR ; 23
(II) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND HIGHWAY 24
SAFETY OFFICE; 25
(III) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE HIGHWAY 26
ADMINISTRATION ; 27
(IV) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND TRANSIT 28 4 SENATE BILL 345
ADMINISTRATION ; 1
(V) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE 2
ADMINISTRATION ; AND 3
(VI) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND 4
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY; AND 5
(11) THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS , APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR: 6
(I) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND INSTITUTE FOR 7
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEMS; 8
(II) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E OFFICE OF THE CHIEF 9
MEDICAL EXAMINER; 10
(III) ONE CITIZEN MEMBER OF TH E MARYLAND PEDESTRIAN 11
AND BICYCLIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE; 12
(IV) ONE MEMBER OF THE STATE COORDINATING COMMITTEE 13
FOR HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ; 14
(V) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E MARYLAND ASSOCIATION 15
OF COUNTIES; 16
(VI) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E MARYLAND MUNICIPAL 17
LEAGUE; 18
(VII) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E MARYLAND SHERIFFS’ 19
ASSOCIATION; 20
(VIII) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E MARYLAND CHIEFS OF 21
POLICE ASSOCIATION; 22
(IX) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E COUNTY ENGINEERS 23
ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND; 24
(X) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF A MARYLAND INSTITUTION OF 25
HIGHER EDUCATION WIT H EXPERTISE IN TRANS PORTATION SAFETY OR SYSTEMS; 26
(XI) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF A MARYLAND INSTITUTION OF 27
HIGHER EDUCATION WIT H EXPERTISE IN EVALU ATING HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAMS 28
OR CAMPAIGNS ; 29 SENATE BILL 345 5
(XII) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF TH E MARYLAND HOSPITAL 1
ASSOCIATION; 2
(XIII) TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF O RGANIZATIONS THAT 3
ADVOCATE FOR BICYCLI STS OR PEDESTRIANS ; 4
(XIV) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT 5
ADVOCATES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES; 6
(XV) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT 7
REPRESENTS THE TRUCK ING INDUSTRY; AND 8
(XVI) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWIN G 9
METROPOLITAN PLANNIN G ORGANIZATION S WHO ARE CITIZENS O F MARYLAND: 10
1. NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION TRANSPORTATION 11
PLANNING BOARD; 12
2. BALTIMORE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION BOARD; 13
3. CUMBERLAND AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING 14
ORGANIZATION; 15
4. HAGERSTOWN /EASTERN PANHANDLE 16
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION; 17
5. WILMINGTON AREA PLANNING COUNCIL; 18
6. SALISBURY/WICOMICO METROPOLITAN PLANNING 19
ORGANIZATION; AND 20
7. CALVERT–ST. MARY’S METROPOLITAN PLANNING 21
ORGANIZATION. 22
(E) TO THE EXTENT PRACTIC ABLE, THE MEMBERSHIP OF TH E COMMISSION 23
SHALL REFLECT THE RA CIAL, ETHNIC, GEOGRAPHIC , GENDER, AND ECONOMIC 24
DIVERSITY OF THE STATE. 25
(F) THE GOVERNOR SHALL DESIGN ATE THE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION. 26
(G) (1) A VACANCY IN THE OFFIC E OF AN APPOINTED ME MBER SHALL BE 27
PROMPTLY FILLED BY T HE PERSON WHO APPOIN TED THE VACATING MEM BER. 28 6 SENATE BILL 345
(2) THE GOVERNOR MAY REMOVE A N APPOINTED MEMBER F OR 1
INCOMPETENCE , MISCONDUCT , OR FAILURE TO PERFOR M THE DUTIES OF THE 2
POSITION. 3
(2) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION SERVES AT THE PLEASURE OF 4
THE PERSON WHO APPOI NTED THE MEMBER TO T HE COMMISSION. 5
(3) AT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE COMMISSION THAT OCCUR S ON 6
OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2024, THE COMMISSION SHALL VOTE TO ADOPT A CODE OF 7
CONDUCT PROVIDING FO R THE ACCEPTABLE CON DUCT OF COMMISSION MEMBERS . 8
(H) (1) THIS SUBSECTION APPLI ES ONLY TO COMMISSION MEMBERS 9
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UNDER SUBSEC TION (D)(11) OF THIS SECTION. 10
(2) EXCEPT FOR THE INITIA L TERMS OF THE COMMISSION MEMBE RS, 11
THE TERM OF A MEMBER IS 4 YEARS. 12
(3) THE TERMS OF MEMBERS ARE STAGGERED AS REQ UIRED BY THE 13
TERMS PROVIDED FOR M EMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 1, 2024. 14
(4) AT THE END OF A TERM , A MEMBER CONTINUES T O SERVE UNTIL 15
A SUCCESSOR IS APPOI NTED AND QUALIFIES. 16
(5) A MEMBER WHO IS APPOIN TED AFTER A TERM HAS BEGUN SERVES 17
ONLY FOR THE REST OF THE TERM AND UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINT ED AND 18
QUALIFIES. 19
(6) A MEMBER MAY BE REAPPO INTED, BUT AFTER SERVING TW O 20
CONSECUTIVE TERMS , A MEMBER MAY NOT BE REAPPOINTED UNTIL AT LEAST 1 21
YEAR AFTER THE END O F THE MEMBER ’S SECOND TERM . 22
(I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE STAFF FOR THE COMMISSION. 23
(J) A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION: 24
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPE NSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 25
COMMISSION; BUT 26
(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES UNDER THE 27
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 28
(K) THE COMMISSION SHALL : 29 SENATE BILL 345 7
(1) ADVISE THE GOVERNOR AND STATE AGENCIES ON : 1
(I) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VISION ZERO; 2
(II) POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES AFFECTI NG TRAFFIC 3
SAFETY FOR PEDESTRIA NS, BICYCLISTS, AND DRIVERS AND PASS ENGERS OF MOTOR 4
VEHICLES; AND 5
(III) PRIORITIES AND NEEDS FOR ROADWAY SAFETY ; 6
(2) IDENTIFY STATE AND LOCAL LAWS , POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS 7
THAT HINDER THE DEVE LOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTA TION OF VISION ZERO; 8
(3) REVIEW SAFETY DEFICIE NCIES AT CRASH SITES WHERE THERE 9
HAVE BEEN THREE OR M ORE FATALITIES WITHI N 12 MONTHS, INCLUDING 10
DEFICIENCIES IDENTIF IED BY INFRASTRUCTUR E REVIEWS CONDUCTED UNDER § 11
8–204.2 OF THIS TITLE; AND 12
(4) PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON A NY OTHER ISSUE DIREC TLY RELATED TO 13
ROADWAY SAFETY . 14
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the terms of the initial 15
members of the Vision Zero Advisory Commission appointed by the Governor under § 16
8–1008(d)(11) of the Transportation Article, as enacted by Section 1 of this Act, shall expire 17
as follows: 18
(1) eight members in 2026; 19
(2) eight members in 2027; and 20
(3) seven members in 2028. 21
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 22
October 1, 2024. 23