HB 162
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2020 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader - Revised
House Bill 162 (Chair, Environment and Transportation Committee)(By
Request - Departmental - Transportation)
Environment and Transportation Finance
Transportation - Potomac River Bridges Towing Compact - Inclusion of
Additional Bridges
This departmental bill includes the Governor Harry W. Nice/Senator Thomas “Mac”
Middleton Bridge, the Sandy Hook Bridge, the Brunswick Bridge, the Point of Rocks
Bridge, and the Arland D. Williams, Jr. Memorial Bridge in the State’s Potomac River
Bridges Towing Compact with the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of
Columbia. The bill takes effect June 1, 2020, but is contingent on a similar Act being
enacted by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill does not materially affect State operations or finances.
Local Effect: The bill does not materially affect local operations or finances.
Small Business Effect: The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has
determined that this bill has minimal or no impact on small business (attached). The
Department of Legislative Services concurs with this assessment. (The attached assessment
does not reflect amendments to the bill.)
Analysis
Current Law: The Potomac River Bridges Towing Compact generally authorizes law
enforcement officers from each of the signatory jurisdictions (Maryland, Virginia, and
Washington, DC) to order the removal of disabled and abandoned vehicles from the bridges
specified in the compact.
The compact applies to the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, the Rochambeau
Memorial Bridge, the George Mason Memorial Bridge, the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial
Bridge, the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the Chain Bridge, and the American Legion Bridge.
Each of the listed bridges passes through at least two of the jurisdictions’ territories.
Background: MDOT advises that the compact addresses the need for concurrent law
enforcement jurisdiction on the listed bridges between Maryland and Virginia to facilitate
the quick clearance of disabled vehicles that would otherwise cause significant traffic
problems. The compact expedites the resolution of these issues, as a police officer from
either side of an affected bridge can get to the scene and take corrective action, even if the
scene is technically not in the officer’s jurisdiction.
The bill expands the compact to apply to (1) four additional bridges between Maryland and
Virginia and (2) one additional bridge between Virginia and Washington, DC. MDOT
advises that Virginia has already passed the legislation necessary to enact the compact
change for the bridges between Maryland and Virginia and that Washington, DC, is
currently considering the necessary legislation. MDOT also advises that the bill essentially
codifies current practice with respect to the bridges between Maryland and Virginia, as law
enforcement already treats those bridges as being part of the compact.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Maryland Department of Transportation; Department of State
Police; Charles and Frederick counties; Maryland Association of Counties; Department of
Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - January 28, 2020
rh/lgc Third Reader - March 15, 2020
Revised - Amendment(s) - March 15, 2020
Analysis by: Richard L. Duncan Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 162/ Page 2
 ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES
TITLE OF BILL: Transportation - Potomac River Bridges Towing Compact -
Inclusion of Additional Bridges
BILL NUMBER: HB 162
PREPARED BY: Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway
Administration/ Maryland Transportation Authority
PART A. ECONOMIC IMPACT RATING
This agency estimates that the proposed bill:
X WILL HAVE MINIMAL OR NO ECONOMIC IMPACT ON MARYLAND SMALL
BUSINESS
OR
WILL HAVE MEANINGFUL ECONOMIC IMPACT ON MARYLAND SMALL
BUSINESSES
PART B. ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
See attached fiscal note.
IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
By expanding the bridges impacted by the current towing compact, faster clearance by
law enforcement officials will free up clogged arteries for easier movement in and out of
business and residential areas.
HB 162/ Page 3


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Transportation - Potomac River Bridges Towing Compact - Inclusion of Additional Bridges: 25-301 Transportation
Text - Third - Transportation - Potomac River Bridges Towing Compact - Inclusion of Additional Bridges: 25-301 Transportation, 25-301 Transportation