Committee advances MTA Reform Act, creating two new MTA boards and expanding eminent domain authority

The House Environment and Transportation Committee advanced House Bill 1081, the Maryland Transit Administration Reform Act, during its Friday, March 13 session, the committee clerk said.

"As amended, House Bill 1081 makes changes to the structure, authority, and responsibilities of the MTA with respect to procurement law, oversight of MTA operations by boards and commissions, tort liability, and eminent domain," the committee clerk summarized. The clerk said the bill creates a board of directors for Baltimore core transit service and a commuter services advisory board to advise on commuter rail and bus service.

The bill would also apply the Maryland Tort Claims Act to the Maryland Transit Administration, changing the agency’s tort liability rules to match those of other state agencies, and would give the MTA the ability to use quick-take eminent domain in certain cases. The clerk described other changes affecting procurement exemptions before the Board of Public Works and a requirement that top MTA management positions receive permission from the Maryland Transportation Commission.

Committee members moved and passed subcommittee amendments before voting on the bill. During the voice vote several members were recorded in opposition; the transcript lists Delegates Jacobs, Baker, Anderson, Naraki and Morgan as recorded opposing the measure. The amendments themselves were passed earlier in the proceeding.

Supporters characterized the measure as creating parity between the Transit Administration and other state agencies on liability and certain authorities; opponents who registered opposition in the record did not speak at length in the transcript excerpt.

The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript excerpt; the transcript shows a voice vote with named members recorded as opposed. The clerk noted multiple cosponsors were added during the session.

The committee recessed for a short break after completing the voting list and planned to reconvene at 1:25 p.m.

Next steps: The transcript records the committee action and cosponsor changes; the bill was advanced out of committee and would proceed according to the General Assembly's calendar.