HB 226
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader
House Bill 226 (Delegate R. Lewis)
Environment and Transportation Judicial Proceedings
Baltimore City – Complete Streets Program Funding – Traffic and Vehicle
Monitoring Systems
This bill (1) expressly authorizes Baltimore City to use any fines collected by
Baltimore City as a result of violations from specified automated enforcement systems to
be used to administer the systems and (2) requires any remaining funds to be used for public
safety or transportation infrastructure improvements consistent with the purpose and goals
of the State Complete Streets Program and the city’s Complete Streets Transportation
System.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill does not directly affect State operations or finances.
Local Effect: The bill is not anticipated to materially affect Baltimore City operations or
finances, as discussed below.
Small Business Effect: Minimal.
Analysis
Bill Summary: Baltimore City may recover the costs of implementing and administering
fines collected by the city as a result of violations enforced by a traffic control signal
monitoring system, a speed monitoring system, a school bus monitoring camera, or a
vehicle height monitoring system. Any remaining funds from these sources must be spent
solely on public safety or transportation infrastructure improvements consistent with the
purpose and goals of the State Complete Streets Program and the city’s Complete Streets
Transportation System.
Current Law:
Complete Streets Program
Chapters 721 and 722 of 2018 established the Complete Streets Program as a competitive
matching local grant program within the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
The Acts did not mandate a specific appropriation for the program; instead, the Acts
required that funding be as provided by the Governor in the State budget. Under the
program, a local government that develops a complete streets policy and is certified by
MDOT may apply for matching grants to finance the design and planning of eligible
projects. The stated purpose of the program is to encourage local governments to, among
other things, adopt and utilize complete streets design elements in transportation projects.
The stated goals of the program include, among other things, improving safety, reducing
traffic congestion, promoting healthy communities, and providing health food and other
alternatives, especially in food deserts (added by Chapters 571 and 572 of 2019).
Once certified by MDOT, a local government may apply for matching grants from the
program. Grant funds may only be used for costs associated with the implementation of
the complete streets policy, as specified, and the design and planning of eligible projects,
which are specified projects that include the addition of or significant repair to facilities
that provide access for users of multiple modes of transportation. Chapters 721 and 722
also established a workgroup to assist MDOT in developing and reviewing the regulations
required to implement the program.
Baltimore City – Complete Streets Transportation System
Baltimore City’s version of the Complete Streets Program is called the Complete Streets
Transportation System. Broadly, the system requires the Baltimore City Department of
Transportation to construct a transportation system that enables access, mobility, economic
development, attractive public spaces, health, and well-being for all people. The system
must be designed and operated in ways that ensure the safety, security, comfort, access,
and convenience of all users of the streets, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit
users, emergency responders, transporters of commercial goods, motor vehicles, and
freight providers.
Automated Enforcements Systems
State law authorizes local governments to use certain types of automated systems to enforce
various traffic rules and laws. For example, red light cameras observe motor vehicles
passing through intersections and take a picture of a motor vehicle’s license plate when it
is in the intersection after running a red light.
HB 226/ Page 2
Penalties for automated enforcement systems generally accrue directly to the local
government operating the system. For speed monitoring systems and school bus
monitoring cameras, the local government may recover the costs of implementing and
administering the systems and cameras and must use the remaining funds for public safety
purposes. Specific to Baltimore City, fines collected as a result of vehicle height monitoring
systems may be used to implement and administer the systems, but the remaining funds
must be used for roadway improvements.
Local Fiscal Effect: Baltimore City did not respond to a request for information regarding
the fiscal effect of this bill. However, with respect to identical legislation considered during
the 2020 session, Baltimore City advised that it already uses revenues from violations
enforced by traffic control signal monitoring systems, speed monitoring systems, school
bus monitoring cameras, and vehicle height monitoring systems to administer those
systems. Thus, the bill’s authorization to do so is clarifying and codifies current practice.
Under the bill, any remaining funds collected from those systems must be used solely for
public safety or transportation infrastructure improvements consistent with the purpose and
goals of the State Complete Streets Program and the city’s Complete Streets Transportation
System. Under current law, the city is required to spend these funds on public safety and
roadway improvements. Because public safety continues to be an authorized use of the
funds under the bill, and because roadway improvements also likely continue to be an
eligible use of the funds under the bill, the bill is not anticipated to materially affect the
city’s operations or finances.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: HB 107 of 2020, as amended, passed the House and was referred to
the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee, but no further action was taken.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Baltimore City; Judiciary (Administrative Office of the Courts);
Maryland Department of Transportation; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - March 8, 2021
rh/lgc Third Reader - March 22, 2021
Analysis by: Richard L. Duncan Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
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Statutes affected:
Text - First - Baltimore City – Complete Streets Program Funding – Traffic and Vehicle Monitoring Systems: 7-302 Courts and Judicial Proceedings, 21-810 Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Text - Third - Baltimore City – Complete Streets Program Funding – Traffic and Vehicle Monitoring Systems: 7-302 Courts and Judicial Proceedings, 21-810 Courts and Judicial Proceedings