On February 7, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 200- Counties- Construction of Sidewalks and Crosswalks- Safe Alternative Routes to Public Schools. This bill requires counties to compile an annual report identifying safe pathways students may use to travel to school. The county must review the report each year and fund the construction of new sidewalks or crosswalks on routes the reports identify as the best for walking to schools.
Of particular concern are logistical issues related to the bill’s mandate that county governments fund, construct, and maintain sidewalks and crosswalks, even if they are on roads owned by municipalities or the State. Additionally, the bill’s fiscal note indicates that complying with the legislation would be very costly.
Counties agree with the merit of SB 200 and that the information it seeks to collect is important in understanding the needs of Maryland students, but this legislation goes too far in mandating county resources of an unknown amount, all while neglecting the logistical capacities of counties to implement it.
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