On February 20, 2024, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of SB 785- Public Nuisance- Common Carriers- Damage to Public Infrastructure. This bill prohibits private transportation companies from damaging public infrastructure, labeling such action as a public nuisance and making such violation subjected to civil action.
Local governments in Maryland own and maintain roughly 5 of every 6 road miles across the state. Counties maintain the bulk of this public infrastructure, whether it be in urban areas found within the greater Baltimore-Washington region, or in the rural sections of Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore. When common carriers, such as private bus or other transit companies, operate in a way that continuously damages this infrastructure, it is largely counties who are forced to pay for repairs.
By giving counties additional tools to encourage common carriers to operate in less destructive ways, the General Assembly would be implementing a low-cost policy which will save already stretched transportation dollars.
SB 785’s cross-file, HB 1126, was heard on February 28, 2024 in the House Judiciary Committee. Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony in support of this bill.
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