Bill Positions

Bill Number: HB 572

Bill Title: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority - Finance and Governance

Bill Sponsor(s): Chair, ENV by request (MDOT)

Subject: Transportation

Committee: ENV

Bill Summary: This bill amends the WMATA Compact to add two federally appointed, voting board members; require an Office of the Inspector General at WMATA; and requires Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to make payments from a dedicated funding source to match up to $1.5 billion in federal funds for WMATA capital and preventive maintenance projects. The bill designates the Transportation Trust Fund as Maryland’s dedicated funding source for matching specified federal funds. The bill takes effect upon enactment of similar legislation by Virginia and the District of Columbia and approval by the U.S. Congress.

History: This bill passed the General Assembly, and was vetoed by the Governor as a duplicative bill. The crossfile SB 915 was enacted as Chapter 111.

Chamber Position: Support

Position Summary: The Maryland Chamber supported Maryland's efforts to comply with the federal requirements in order to provide a dedicated funding sources for the regional Metro system.

Position Statement: Click here (pdf)

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.