MD HB437

Major highway capacity expansion projects exceeding $100 million must undergo greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled impact assessments, with the Department of Transportation required to develop multimodal transportation programs that fully offset emissions to achieve net-zero or negative emissions

Beginning with the FY2028-2033 Consolidated Transportation Program, all major capital projects must be evaluated annually for climate impact, with results published by October 1 each year

Multimodal offset programs must prioritize overburdened and underserved communities and may include transit improvements, pedestrian/bicycle facilities, transit-oriented development, roadway pricing, telecommuting initiatives, and micro-mobility options

Projects already funded for construction, in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, or that completed NEPA review by June 30, 2026 are exempt, as is the Bay Bridge replacement project including related US-50 construction between I-97 and MD-404

The Department must set annual statewide and regional declining greenhouse gas reduction targets consistent with Maryland's Climate Pollution Reduction Plan and allocate FY2028 funding for travel demand modeling including induced demand effects