MD
Maryland Senate Bill SB70

Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB70 Compare Versions

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1- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 650
21
3-– 1 –
4-Chapter 650
5-(Senate Bill 70)
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+ Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
9+ *sb0070*
810
9-Transportation – Major Change in Bus Service – Impacts Report Publication on
10-Website
11+SENATE BILL 70
12+R2 (4lr0586)
13+ENROLLED BILL
14+— Finance/Environment and Transportation —
15+Introduced by Senator McCray
1116
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.
17+Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
2218
23-BY adding to
24- Article – Transportation
25-Section 7–508
26- Annotated Code of Maryland
27- (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
19+_______________________________________________
20+Proofreader.
21+_______________________________________________
22+Proofreader.
2823
29-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
30- Article – Transportation
31-Section 7–715 7–716
32- Annotated Code of Maryland
33- (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
34- (As enacted by Chapters 583 and 584 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2023)
24+Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
3525
36- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
37-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
26+_______ day of _______________ at _________________ _______ o’clock, ________M.
3827
39-Article – Transportation
28+______________________________________________
29+President.
4030
41-7–508. 7–715.
31+CHAPTER ______
4232
43- (A) The Administration shall develop transit equity analysis policies and
44-guidelines, including thresholds for when a reduction or cancellation of a capital expansion
45-project in the construction program of the Consolidated Transportation Program requires
46-analysis.
47- Ch. 650 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
33+AN ACT concerning 1
4834
49-– 2 –
50- (A) (B) (1) IN THIS SECTION SUBSECTION, “ROUTE” MEANS A BUS
51-ROUTE OR BUS LINE, OR THE CORRESPONDING PARATRANSIT SERVICE AREA.
35+Transportation – Major Change in Bus Service – Impacts Report Publication on 2
36+Website 3
5237
53- (B) (2) BEFORE ANNOUNCING ANY SERVICE REDUCTION OR
54-CANCELLATION OF AN E XISTING ROUTE, THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL COMPILE A
55-REPORT ON THE IMPACT S OF THE PROPOSED SE RVICE REDUCTION OR
56-CANCELLATION THAT IN CLUDES:
38+FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Transit Administration, before announcing any 4
39+reduction or cancellation of an existing bus route or line, to compile a report on the 5
40+impacts of the proposed service reduction or cancellation; requiring the 6
41+Administration to publish the report on its website at least a certain number of days 7
42+before the required public hearing on the proposed service change altering the 8
43+information that the Maryland Transit Administration is required to publish on its 9
44+website before holding a public hearing on a major service change; requiring the 10
45+Administration to distribute the report a certain report on proposed major service 11
46+changes to certain officials and entities; and generally relating to service reductions 12
47+or cancellations of major service changes for existing bus routes. 13
5748
58- (1) (I) INFORMATION ON THE RO UTE, INCLUDING A DESCRIPT ION
59-OF:
49+BY adding to 14 2 SENATE BILL 70
6050
61- (I) 1. THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF :
6251
63- 1. A. THE RIDERS ON THE ROUTE; AND
52+ Article – Transportation 1
53+Section 7–508 2
54+ Annotated Code of Maryland 3
55+ (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 4
6456
65- 2. B. THE SERVICE AREA ;
57+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 5
58+ Article – Transportation 6
59+Section 7–715 7–716 7
60+ Annotated Code of Maryland 8
61+ (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 9
62+ (As enacted by Chapters 583 and 584 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2023) 10
6663
67- (II) 2. THE SCHOOLS IN THE SE RVICE AREA;
64+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
65+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 12
6866
69- (III) 3. THE TYPES OF BUSINESS ES IN THE SERVICE AR EA;
67+Article – Transportation 13
7068
71- (IV) 4. THE MONTHLY RIDERSHIP ON THE ROUTE ; AND
69+7–508. 7–715. 14
7270
73- (V) 5. THE EFFECT THAT THE S ERVICE REDUCTION OR
74-CANCELLATION WOULD H AVE ON THE:
71+ (A) The Administration shall develop transit equity analysis policies and 15
72+guidelines, including thresholds for when a reduction or cancellation of a capital expansion 16
73+project in the construction program of the Consolidated Transportation Program requires 17
74+analysis. 18
7575
76- A. THE COMMUTES OF RIDERS O N THE ROUTE;
76+ (A) (B) (1) IN THIS SECTION SUBSECTION, “ROUTE” MEANS A BUS 19
77+ROUTE OR BUS LINE, OR THE CORRESPONDING PARATRANSIT SERVICE AREA. 20
7778
78- B. THE CORRESPONDING PAR ATRANSIT SERVICE ARE A;
79-AND
79+ (B) (2) BEFORE ANNOUNCING ANY SERVICE REDUCTION OR 21
80+CANCELLATION OF AN E XISTING ROUTE, THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL COMPILE A 22
81+REPORT ON THE IMPACT S OF THE PROPOSED SE RVICE REDUCTION OR 23
82+CANCELLATION THAT IN CLUDES: 24
8083
81- C. THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PARATRANSIT RIDER S
82-IMPACTED;
84+ (1) (I) INFORMATION ON THE RO UTE, INCLUDING A DESCRIPT ION 25
85+OF: 26
8386
84- (2) (II) A DESCRIPTION OF THE C ONTENTS OF ANY MINUT ES,
85-RECORDS, OR DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE SERVICE REDUC TION OR
86-CANCELLATION ; AND
87+ (I) 1. THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF : 27
8788
88- (3) (III) A BRIEF STATEMENT EXPL AINING THE REASON FO R THE
89-SERVICE REDUCTION OR CANCELLATION .
89+ 1. A. THE RIDERS ON THE ROUTE; AND 28
9090
91- (C) (3) AT LEAST 30 DAYS BEFORE THE PUBL IC HEARING REQUIRED
92-UNDER § 7–506 OF THIS SUBTITLE, THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL :
93- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 650
91+ 2. B. THE SERVICE AREA ; 29
9492
95-– 3 –
96- (1) (I) PUBLISH THE REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S
97-WEBSITE WITH A VISIB LE LINK IDENTIFYING THE IMPACTED ROUTE O N THE
98-PRIMARY PAGE ; AND
93+ (II) 2. THE SCHOOLS IN THE SE RVICE AREA; 30
9994
100- (2) (II) DISTRIBUTE THE REPORT TO:
95+ (III) 3. THE TYPES OF BUSINESS ES IN THE SERVICE AR EA; 31
96+ SENATE BILL 70 3
10197
102- (I) 1. THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION ; AND
10398
104- (II) 2. IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE
105-GOVERNMENT ARTICLE:
99+ (IV) 4. THE MONTHLY RIDERSHIP ON THE ROUTE ; AND 1
106100
107- 1. A. THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE;
101+ (V) 5. THE EFFECT THAT THE S ERVICE REDUCTION OR 2
102+CANCELLATION WOULD H AVE ON THE: 3
108103
109- 2. B. THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE;
104+ A. THE COMMUTES OF RIDERS O N THE ROUTE; 4
110105
111- 3. C. THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE;
106+ B. THE CORRESPONDING PAR ATRANSIT SERVICE ARE A; 5
107+AND 6
112108
113- 4. D. THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION
114-COMMITTEE; AND
109+ C. THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PARATRANSIT RIDER S 7
110+IMPACTED; 8
115111
116- 5. E. EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE
117-DISTRICT WOULD BE IM PACTED BY THE PROPOS ED SERVICE REDUCTION OR
118-CANCELLATION OF THE ROUTE.
112+ (2) (II) A DESCRIPTION OF THE C ONTENTS OF ANY MINUT ES, 9
113+RECORDS, OR DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE SERVICE REDUC TION OR 10
114+CANCELLATION ; AND 11
119115
120-7–716.
116+ (3) (III) A BRIEF STATEMENT EXPL AINING THE REASON FO R THE 12
117+SERVICE REDUCTION OR CANCELLATION . 13
121118
122- (a) Before announcing any service change that would constitute a major service
123-change under the Federal Transit Administration’s Title VI Requirements and Guidelines
124-for Federal Transit Administration Recipients, the Department, in collaboration with the
125-Administration, shall:
119+ (C) (3) AT LEAST 30 DAYS BEFORE THE PUBL IC HEARING REQUIRED 14
120+UNDER § 7–506 OF THIS SUBTITLE, THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL : 15
126121
127- (1) Conduct a transit equity analysis in accordance with the federal
128-Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act and the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973
129-as amended to determine whether the change will create a disparate impact on persons with
130-disabilities;
122+ (1) (I) PUBLISH THE REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION ’S 16
123+WEBSITE WITH A VISIB LE LINK IDENTIFYING THE IMPACTED ROUTE O N THE 17
124+PRIMARY PAGE ; AND 18
131125
132- (2) Conduct a transit equity analysis in accordance with the Title VI
133-Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients to determine
134-whether the change will create a disparate impact or a disproportionate burden;
126+ (2) (II) DISTRIBUTE THE REPORT TO: 19
135127
136- (3) Perform a cost–benefit analysis, including an analysis of impacts on:
128+ (I) 1. THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION ; AND 20
137129
138- (i) Economic development;
130+ (II) 2. IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE 21
131+GOVERNMENT ARTICLE: 22
139132
140- (ii) Employment; Ch. 650 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
133+ 1. A. THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; 23
141134
142-– 4 –
135+ 2. B. THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; 24
143136
144- (iii) Education;
137+ 3. C. THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE; 25
145138
146- (iv) Health; and
139+ 4. D. THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION 26
140+COMMITTEE; AND 27
141+ 4 SENATE BILL 70
147142
148- (v) Environmental justice; and
149143
150- (4) Consult with members and leaders of affected communities, including
151-through community outreach to:
144+ 5. E. EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE 1
145+DISTRICT WOULD BE IM PACTED BY THE PROPOS ED SERVICE REDUCTION OR 2
146+CANCELLATION OF THE ROUTE. 3
152147
153- (i) Racial minority communities;
148+7–716. 4
154149
155- (ii) Low–income communities;
150+ (a) Before announcing any service change that would constitute a major service 5
151+change under the Federal Transit Administration’s Title VI Requirements and Guidelines 6
152+for Federal Transit Administration Recipients, the Department, in collaboration with the 7
153+Administration, shall: 8
156154
157- (iii) Disabled riders;
155+ (1) Conduct a transit equity analysis in accordance with the federal 9
156+Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act and the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 10
157+as amended to determine whether the change will create a disparate impact on persons with 11
158+disabilities; 12
158159
159- (iv) Riders with limited English proficiency;
160+ (2) Conduct a transit equity analysis in accordance with the Title VI 13
161+Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients to determine 14
162+whether the change will create a disparate impact or a disproportionate burden; 15
160163
161- (v) Transit–reliant riders; and
164+ (3) Perform a cost–benefit analysis, including an analysis of impacts on: 16
162165
163- (vi) Senior riders.
166+ (i) Economic development; 17
164167
165- (b) (1) If a transit equity analysis reveals disparate impact or disproportionate
166-burden, the Administration shall:
168+ (ii) Employment; 18
167169
168- (i) Develop alternatives that would meet the goals of the proposed
169-service change; and
170+ (iii) Education; 19
170171
171- (ii) Conduct a transit equity analysis on the alternatives.
172+ (iv) Health; and 20
172173
173- (2) If a disparate impact can be avoided through use of one of the
174-alternatives analyzed, the Administration shall proceed with that alternative as the primary
175-proposed service change.
174+ (v) Environmental justice; and 21
176175
177- (3) If there is no alternative that would avoid a disparate impact or
178-disproportionate burden, the Administration:
176+ (4) Consult with members and leaders of affected communities, including 22
177+through community outreach to: 23
179178
180- (i) May not implement the proposed service change unless a
181-substantial justification exists that necessitates the change; and
179+ (i) Racial minority communities; 24
182180
183- (ii) Shall implement the alternative that causes the least disparate
184-impact or disproportionate burden.
181+ (ii) Low–income communities; 25
185182
186- (c) Before holding a public hearing on a proposed service change, the
187-Administration shall publish on the Administration’s website WITH A VISIBLE LINK
188-IDENTIFYING THE PROP OSED SERVICE CHANGE ON THE PRIMARY PAGE , for the routes WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 650
183+ (iii) Disabled riders; 26
189184
190-– 5 –
191-[or lines], LINES, OR ANY CORRESPONDING PARATRANSIT SERVICE AREA impacted by
192-the service change[, an evaluation on the demographics of:
185+ (iv) Riders with limited English proficiency; 27
193186
194- (1) The riders of the routes or lines; and
187+ (v) Transit–reliant riders; and 28
195188
196- (2) The service area]:
189+ (vi) Senior riders. 29 SENATE BILL 70 5
197190
198- (1) A DESCRIPTION OF :
199191
200- (I) THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF :
201192
202- 1. THE RIDERS ON THE AFFECTED ROUTE , LINE, OR
203-PARATRANSIT SERVICE AREA; AND
193+ (b) (1) If a transit equity analysis reveals disparate impact or disproportionate 1
194+burden, the Administration shall: 2
204195
205- 2. THE AFFECTED SERVICE AREA;
196+ (i) Develop alternatives that would meet the goals of the proposed 3
197+service change; and 4
206198
207- (II) THE SCHOOLS IN THE AF FECTED SERVICE AREA ;
199+ (ii) Conduct a transit equity analysis on the alternatives. 5
208200
209- (III) THE TYPES OF BUSINESS ES IN THE AFFECTED S ERVICE
210-AREA;
201+ (2) If a disparate impact can be avoided through use of one of the 6
202+alternatives analyzed, the Administration shall proceed with that alternative as the primary 7
203+proposed service change. 8
211204
212- (IV) THE MONTHLY RIDERSHIP FOR THE ROUTE , LINE, OR
213-SERVICE AREA; AND
205+ (3) If there is no alternative that would avoid a disparate impact or 9
206+disproportionate burden, the Administration: 10
214207
215- (V) THE EFFECT THAT THE P ROPOSED SERVICE CHAN GE WOULD
216-HAVE ON:
208+ (i) May not implement the proposed service change unless a 11
209+substantial justification exists that necessitates the change; and 12
217210
218- 1. THE COMMUTES OF RIDER S ON THE ROUTE , LINE, OR
219-SERVICE AREA;
211+ (ii) Shall implement the alternative that causes the least disparate 13
212+impact or disproportionate burden. 14
220213
221- 2. THE CORRESPONDING PAR ATRANSIT SERVICE ARE A;
222-AND
214+ (c) Before holding a public hearing on a proposed service change, the 15
215+Administration shall publish on the Administration’s website WITH A VISIBLE LINK 16
216+IDENTIFYING THE PROP OSED SERVICE CHANGE ON THE PRIMARY PAGE , for the routes 17
217+[or lines], LINES, OR ANY CORRESPONDING PARATRANSIT SERVICE AREA impacted by 18
218+the service change[, an evaluation on the demographics of: 19
223219
224- 3. THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PARATRANSIT RIDERS
225-IMPACTED;
220+ (1) The riders of the routes or lines; and 20
226221
227- (2) A SUMMARY OF ANY PUBLI CLY AVAILABLE MINUTE S, RECORDS, OR
228-DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGE; AND
222+ (2) The service area]: 21
229223
230- (3) A BRIEF STATEMENT EXPL AINING THE REASON FO R THE
231-PROPOSED SERVICE CHA NGE.
224+ (1) A DESCRIPTION OF : 22
232225
233- (d) (1) After completing the public hearings, the Administration shall:
234- Ch. 650 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
226+ (I) THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF : 23
235227
236-– 6 –
237- (i) Publish the transit equity analysis and cost–benefit analysis on
238-the Administration’s website; and
228+ 1. THE RIDERS ON THE AFF ECTED ROUTE, LINE, OR 24
229+PARATRANSIT SERVICE AREA; AND 25
239230
240- (ii) Compile a report on the impacts of the proposed service change.
231+ 2. THE AFFECTED SERVICE AREA; 26
241232
242- (2) The report shall include:
233+ (II) THE SCHOOLS IN THE AF FECTED SERVICE AREA ; 27
243234
244- (i) The transit equity analysis;
235+ (III) THE TYPES OF BUSINESS ES IN THE AFFECTED S ERVICE 28
236+AREA; 29
237+ 6 SENATE BILL 70
245238
246- (ii) The cost–benefit analysis;
247239
248- (iii) A community outreach report;
240+ (IV) THE MONTHLY RIDERSHIP FOR THE ROUTE , LINE, OR 1
241+SERVICE AREA; AND 2
249242
250- (iv) Any alternatives analyzed; and
243+ (V) THE EFFECT THAT THE P ROPOSED SERVICE CHAN GE WOULD 3
244+HAVE ON: 4
251245
252- (v) If applicable, the final alternative selected.
246+ 1. THE COMMUTES OF RIDER S ON THE ROUTE , LINE, OR 5
247+SERVICE AREA; 6
253248
254- (3) If a disparate impact or disproportionate burden exists in the final
255-alternative selected, the report shall include a substantial justification statement.
249+ 2. THE CORRESPONDING PAR ATRANSIT SERVICE ARE A; 7
250+AND 8
256251
257- (4) The report shall be:
252+ 3. THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PARATRANSIT RIDER S 9
253+IMPACTED; 10
258254
259- (i) Made available to the public on the Administration’s website,
260-with a visible link from the primary information page relating to the proposed service
261-change; and
255+ (2) A SUMMARY OF ANY PUBLI CLY AVAILABLE MINUTE S, RECORDS, OR 11
256+DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGE; AND 12
262257
263- (ii) Distributed to:
258+ (3) A BRIEF STATEMENT EXPL AINING THE REASON FO R THE 13
259+PROPOSED SERVICE CHA NGE. 14
264260
265- 1. The members of the Board of Public Works;
261+ (d) (1) After completing the public hearings, the Administration shall: 15
266262
267- 2. The Attorney General;
263+ (i) Publish the transit equity analysis and cost–benefit analysis on 16
264+the Administration’s website; and 17
268265
269- 3. The Secretary of Transportation;
266+ (ii) Compile a report on the impacts of the proposed service change. 18
270267
271- 4. Any elected officials whose districts would be impacted by
272-the proposed service change;
268+ (2) The report shall include: 19
273269
274- 5. Any community leaders consulted during the community
275-outreach process; and
270+ (i) The transit equity analysis; 20
276271
277- 6. In accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government
278-Article:
272+ (ii) The cost–benefit analysis; 21
279273
280- A. The President of the Senate;
274+ (iii) A community outreach report; 22
281275
282- B. The Speaker of the House; WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 650
276+ (iv) Any alternatives analyzed; and 23
283277
284-– 7 –
278+ (v) If applicable, the final alternative selected. 24
285279
286- C. The Senate Finance Committee; [and]
280+ (3) If a disparate impact or disproportionate burden exists in the final 25
281+alternative selected, the report shall include a substantial justification statement. 26
287282
288- D. The House Environment and Transportation Committee;
289-AND
283+ (4) The report shall be: 27
284+ SENATE BILL 70 7
290285
291- E. EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE
292-DISTRICT WOULD BE IM PACTED BY THE PROPOS ED SERVICE CHANGE .
293286
294- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
295-October 1, 2024.
287+ (i) Made available to the public on the Administration’s website, 1
288+with a visible link from the primary information page relating to the proposed service 2
289+change; and 3
296290
297-Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024.
291+ (ii) Distributed to: 4
292+
293+ 1. The members of the Board of Public Works; 5
294+
295+ 2. The Attorney General; 6
296+
297+ 3. The Secretary of Transportation; 7
298+
299+ 4. Any elected officials whose districts would be impacted by 8
300+the proposed service change; 9
301+
302+ 5. Any community leaders consulted during the community 10
303+outreach process; and 11
304+
305+ 6. In accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government 12
306+Article: 13
307+
308+ A. The President of the Senate; 14
309+
310+ B. The Speaker of the House; 15
311+
312+ C. The Senate Finance Committee; [and] 16
313+
314+ D. The House Environment and Transportation Committee; 17
315+AND 18
316+
317+ E. EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE 19
318+DISTRICT WOULD BE IM PACTED BY THE PROPOS ED SERVICE CHANGE . 20
319+
320+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 21
321+October 1, 2024. 22
322+
323+
324+
325+Approved:
326+________________________________________________________________________________
327+ Governor.
328+________________________________________________________________________________
329+ President of the Senate.
330+________________________________________________________________________________
331+ Speaker of the House of Delegates.