EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0288*
HOUSE BILL 288
R1 5lr0228
(PRE–FILED) CF SB 210
By: Chair, Environment and Transportation Committee (By Request –
Departmental – Transportation)
Requested: October 9, 2024
Introduced and read first time: January 8, 2025
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Maryland Transportation Authority – Tolls, Fees, and Other Charges 2
– Temporary Adjustments 3
FOR the purpose of increasing the maximum duration of an emergency status 4
determination authorizing the temporary adjustment of tolls, fees, or other charges 5
by the Maryland Transportation Authority; and generally relating to temporary 6
adjustment of tolls, fees, and other charges by the Maryland Transportation 7
Authority. 8
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 9
Article – Transportation 10
Section 4–312(a) 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 13
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 14
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 15
Article – Transportation 16
4–312. 17
(a) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3, § 20 and Section 4, § 16 of 18
Chapter 608 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1976, tolls may continue to be charged 19
on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway and any project constructed under the 20
provisions of Section 3 (Bridge, Tunnel, and Motorway Revenue Bonds) of Chapter 608 of 21
the Acts of the General Assembly of 1976. 22
2 HOUSE BILL 288
(2) As to all or any part of any transportation facilities project, the 1
Authority may: 2
(i) Fix, revise, charge, and collect rentals, rates, fees, tolls, and other 3
charges and revenues for its use or for its services; and 4
(ii) Contract with any person who desires its use for any purpose and 5
fix the terms, conditions, rentals, rates, fees, tolls, or other charges or revenues for this use. 6
(3) (i) Before the Authority adopts an increase in tolls, fees, or other 7
charges on any part of a fixed toll transportation facilities project or adopts an increase in 8
mileage rate ranges, pricing periods, toll zones, fees, or other charges on a variably priced 9
toll transportation facilities project, the Authority shall provide an opportunity for public 10
review and comment on the proposed increase at one or more meetings held at a time and 11
place of convenience to the public in each county in which the increase is proposed to be 12
implemented. 13
(ii) At least 10 working days before the start of the first meeting 14
under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the Authority shall provide to the public on the 15
Authority’s official website the proposed increase in tolls, fees, mileage rate ranges, pricing 16
periods, toll zones, or other charges and information and studies used in its analysis to 17
justify the proposed increase. 18
(iii) For a period of at least 10 working days after the last scheduled 19
meeting for public review and comment under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the 20
Authority shall provide the public with an opportunity to submit additional written 21
comments on the proposal. 22
(iv) Within 10 days after the close of the written comment period 23
under subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, the Authority shall provide to the public on its 24
official website and to the members of the Authority a summary and analysis of the 25
comments received from the public on the proposal. 26
(4) Before the Authority votes on any proposal to increase tolls, fees, or 27
other charges on any part of a fixed toll transportation facilities project or votes on an 28
increase in mileage rate ranges, pricing periods, toll zones, fees, or other charges on any 29
part of a variably priced toll transportation facilities project, the Authority shall: 30
(i) Provide in writing to all of the members of the Authority and, on 31
request, to the public any recommendation of the Authority regarding the proposal; 32
(ii) For a period of at least 10 working days after making any 33
recommendation on the proposal, provide an opportunity for public review and written 34
comment on the recommendation; 35
(iii) Provide to the public on its official website: 36
HOUSE BILL 288 3
1. Any recommendation of the Authority regarding the 1
proposal; and 2
2. The time, place, and date of the meeting at which the 3
Authority will vote on the proposal; and 4
(iv) Provide to each member of the Authority and provide to the 5
public on its official website a summary and analysis of any public comments received 6
under item (ii) of this paragraph by the Authority regarding the Authority’s 7
recommendation. 8
(5) (i) At any meeting in which a recommendation to increase tolls, fees, 9
or other charges on a fixed toll transportation facilities project or a recommendation to 10
increase mileage rate ranges, pricing periods, toll zones, fees, or other charges on a variably 11
priced transportation facilities project is scheduled for consideration, the Authority shall 12
provide the public a reasonable amount of time to comment on the recommendation before 13
the Authority votes on the recommendation. 14
(ii) If the Authority amends its recommendation after receiving 15
public comment at the meeting under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph and then votes on 16
the amended recommendation at that meeting, the Authority is not required to provide an 17
additional opportunity for public comment under paragraph (4) of this subsection. 18
(6) (i) If the Authority determines that it must increase tolls, fees, 19
mileage rate ranges, pricing periods, toll zones, or other charges within a time period or in 20
a manner that will not permit compliance with paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection to 21
remain in compliance with the provisions of any trust agreement, escrow deposit 22
agreement, or resolution that provides for the payment of bonds issued by the Authority, 23
or to ensure that unforeseen circumstances do not adversely affect the continuity of 24
operations at one or more transportation facilities projects, the Authority shall determine 25
that an emergency status exists. 26
(ii) If the Authority determines that an emergency status exists 27
under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the Authority shall adopt temporary adjustments 28
to tolls, fees, mileage rate ranges, pricing periods, toll zones, or other charges that shall 29
take effect immediately on adoption by the Authority or on the effective date established 30
by the Authority. 31
(iii) If the Authority adopts any temporary adjustments to tolls, fees, 32
mileage rate ranges, pricing periods, toll zones, or other charges under subparagraph (ii) of 33
this paragraph, the Authority shall: 34
1. Provide notice to the public on the Authority’s official 35
website of any temporary adjustment adopted under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph; 36
and 37
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2. Commence the public notice and comment procedures 1
under paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection immediately. 2
(iv) An emergency status determination may not exceed [180] 300 3
days and may be subject to one or more additional conditions imposed by the Authority. 4
(v) When the emergency status expires, the temporary adjustments 5
adopted under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph shall end. 6
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 7
October 1, 2025. 8