On March 4, the Appropriations Committee heard HB 637 – Transportation – Highway User Revenues Capital Grants – Calculation.
Executive Director Michael Sanderson and MACo President Jack Wilson (Commissioner, Queen Anne’s) testified in support of this bill.
This bill fully restores Highway User Revenues (HUR) to local governments and finally corrects a long-standing imbalance in Maryland’s transportation funding. In Maryland, local governments do not have any own-source transportation revenue options, they are wholly reliant on these State funds, historically 30% of revenues on motor fuels, vehicle purchases, and other related streams.
Commissioner Wilson testified, “we are grateful for your work last year, to avoid cuts, but we’re here to tell you… we are not out of the woods yet.” The bill sponsor, Delegate Nick Allen, offered sponsor amendments to ensure that funding was not reduced to Baltimore City or municipal governments, which both MACo and MML supported.
This bill offers a permanent, responsible fix by restoring the historic funding partnership between the State and local governments. Counties do not have independent authority to raise dedicated transportation revenues − without a fair share of state resources, local road maintenance and improvements will continue to fall behind. A predictable, reliable revenue stream ensures local governments can invest in long-term infrastructure improvements, reduce costly emergency repairs, and provide safe and efficient roadways for Maryland’s residents and businesses.
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