MD HB517

Establishes a Workgroup on the Reorganization of the Maryland Transit Administration to study potential restructuring of the Maryland Department of Transportation and MTA, including options for separating local Baltimore City transit services (light rail, subway, bus) from statewide services (MARC rail, Purple Line, commuter bus)

Workgroup membership includes chairs or designees from the Appropriations, Environment and Transportation, and Budget and Taxation committees, the Secretary of Transportation, MTA Administrator, Baltimore Region Transit Commission chair, a Baltimore City metropolitan planning organization representative, and two MTA riders appointed by the Governor

Requires the Workgroup to analyze alternative reorganization plans with cost-benefit analysis, provide cost estimates, assess impacts on federal funding and regulatory compliance, and ensure any plan does not reduce funding for local Baltimore City transit services

General Assembly intends to appropriate $150,000 in the FY 2027 budget for consulting services to support the Workgroup's efforts

Workgroup must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1, 2026, along with draft legislation to implement recommendations; the Act takes effect July 1, 2025 and sunsets June 30, 2027