EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTING LA W.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1203*
HOUSE BILL 1203
R1 5lr2429
By: Delegate R. Long
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2025
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Maryland Transportation Authority – Replacement for the Francis Scott Key 2
Bridge – Suspension of Tolls 3
FOR the purpose of prohibiting the Maryland Transportation Authority from charging a 4
toll for the use of the new bridge to replace the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge 5
for a certain duration following the opening of the bridge; and generally relating to 6
toll bridges. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
Article – Transportation 9
Section 4–312(a)(2) and (b) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Transportation 14
Section 4–312(c) 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
Article – Transportation 20
4–312. 21
(a) (2) As to all or any part of any transportation facilities project, the 22
Authority may: 23
2 HOUSE BILL 1203
(i) Fix, revise, charge, and collect rentals, rates, fees, tolls, and other 1
charges and revenues for its use or for its services; and 2
(ii) Contract with any person who desires its use for any purpose and 3
fix the terms, conditions, rentals, rates, fees, tolls, or other charges or revenues for this use. 4
(b) The rentals, rates, fees, tolls, and other charges and revenues designated as 5
security for any bonds issued under this subtitle shall be fixed and adjusted from time to 6
time, either with respect to a particular transportation facilities project or in respect of the 7
aggregate of the charges and revenues from other transportation facilities projects under 8
the control of the Authority, as may be specified by law or in any applicable resolution or 9
trust agreement, so as to provide funds that, together with any other available revenues, 10
are sufficient as long as the bonds are outstanding and unpaid to: 11
(1) Pay the costs of maintaining, repairing, and operating the 12
transportation facilities project or projects financed in whole or in part by one or more series 13
of outstanding and unpaid bonds, to the extent that payment is not otherwise provided; 14
(2) Pay the principal of and the interest on these bonds as they become due 15
and payable; 16
(3) Create reasonable reserves that are anticipated will be needed for these 17
purposes; and 18
(4) Provide funds for paying the cost of replacements, renewals, and 19
improvements. 20
(c) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the rentals, rates, fees, 21
tolls, and other charges and revenues are not subject to supervision or regulation by any 22
instrumentality, agency, or unit of this State or any of its political subdivisions. 23
(2) This subtitle does not permit the exercise of any power or the 24
undertaking of any activity that would conflict with the provisions and limitations of the 25
federal Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964. 26
(3) Tolls for the use of the bridge carrying the John F. Kennedy Memorial 27
Highway over the Susquehanna River may not be less than the comparable tolls charged 28
for the use of the Susquehanna River Bridge. 29
(4) THE AUTHORITY MAY NOT CHARGE A TOL L FOR THE USE OF THE 30
NEW BRIDGE OVER THE PATAPSCO RIVER BUILT AS A REPL ACEMENT FOR THE 31
COLLAPSED FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE FOR THE FIRST 5 YEARS FOLLOWING THE 32
OPENING OF THE BRIDGE TO PAS SENGER TRAFFIC . 33
[(4)] (5) Prior to fixing or revising tolls on any part of any transportation 34
facilities project, the Authority shall provide, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 35
Government Article, to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, Senate Finance 36 HOUSE BILL 1203 3
Committee, House Appropriations Committee, and House Ways and Means Committee 1
information on the proposed toll charges, including: 2
(i) The annual revenues generated by the toll charges; 3
(ii) The proposed use of the revenues; and 4
(iii) The proposed commuter discount rates. 5
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 6
October 1, 2025. 7