[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6324932,"mediaKeyId","2335268-c002d83690ced486487558440869098d","parentId",2335268,"title","Transit leaders and advocates push for MTA state-of-good-repair funding as DLS outlines capital and staffing details","audioSeconds",5814,"startMs",3639000,"endMs",9453000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335268-c002d83690ced486487558440869098d&start=3639&end=9453","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335268-c002d83690ced486487558440869098d/thumbnail_3639000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6324932/Maryland/Transit-leaders-and-advocates-push-for-MTA-state-of-good-repair-funding-as-DLS-outlines-capital-and-staffing-details","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324932-a1814fddad14702865097960dac9e082/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212245&Signature=dqzivM5jks20nqE5NE~Cfv-zmZPz2MoL~LqeL3jePainPBguw5-0nZI5HiGSmieFzVSn98XQyPJ8rIJBuk0YmruWcC9r~m1Tb4hcFP9CyU0~FK4Mu2L~05yweycI2faNGj5sFj60WMszGQe17MFAolziUaQxuTTJ3hMKaxryjtDA~BC9uglSVmBtzX5WRuesq37rWy5ZlTEkGrlNQp3xn1--NrWHC3nRlcu8BeX~pFQNvHG16GTq~8fZJ3d4aAhZJbIsfLiaVakrGEDnaD6JxX7ici59NltKbSSTtx3KRrp-va3h3tP3NugRzs8TZIhAMqqxrZvpBPPF2sLGjB0qeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MGA - APP","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","The House Appropriations Committee Transportation and Environment Subcommittee heard the Department of Legislative Services’ analysis of the Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) fiscal 2026 budget and public testimony urging the General Assembly to approve full funding for state-of-good-repair and capital modernization.

DLS presented an overview of the MTA operating and capital allowances and highlighted areas the subcommittee asked the agency to clarify, including staffing figures, capital cash-flow changes and timelines for major projects such as the Purple Line and the evolving Red Line alternatives.

The most consequential numbers

DLS told the committee the fiscal 2026 operating allowance grows by about $71 million to roughly $1.3 billion and the capital budget increases to roughly $753.8 million. The DLS presentation showed ridership returning toward, but still below, pre‑pandemic levels: fiscal 2024 ridership was about 68 million passenger trips, approximately 68% of fiscal 2019 totals. DLS also reported that MTA has secured more than $7.2 billion in federal discretionary awards for major projects (for FFY21–24), with large shares directed to the Frederick Douglass Tunnel and the Susquehanna River bridge work.

Why it matters

Lawmakers and witnesses said failure to fund state-of-good-repair needs would lead to more service disruptions, greater operating costs and regional economic harm, particularly for riders who lack alternative transportation. Testimony ranged from labor unions to health systems and business groups arguing that safer, more reliable service supports jobs, health-care access and regional economic development.

Staffing, positions and a noted inconsistency

DLS and MTA officials described several staffing increases tied to reliability, operations and safety. DLS summarized new positions in the FY26 allowance but the transcript records inconsistent counts: DLS listed “71 new positions total across operating and capital” while contemporaneously referencing “167 new positions” in operating for service reliability and MTA Police hires. Committee members and DLS asked MTA to reconcile those numbers in its written follow‑up.

Purple Line, hiring timeline and police positions

Administrator Holly Arnold and Secretary Paul Wiedefeld told the committee the Purple Line construction is about 75% complete and that revenue service remains scheduled for winter 2027, subject to systems work and testing. MTA asked for a multi-year hiring ramp to staff transit police for the Purple Line: Arnold explained that recruiting, academy training and on-the-job training typically require roughly a year to 18 months. “We want to make sure that we have the time to get folks on, get them through the academy, have them trained,” Arnold said, describing the timeline and retention challenges in competitive county markets.

Capital priorities and program changes

MTA and DLS discussed several capital items that affect near-term cash flows, including a $1.2 billion central light-rail modernization program, replacement of rail vehicles and a communications-based train-control rollout. Two notable legislative changes in the BRFAA addressed MTA: a delay in the statewide requirement to procure only zero‑emission buses from FY27 to FY32, and a statutory change to allow GARVEE bond proceeds to help fund light-rail rehabilitation.

Locally operated transit (LOTS) formula and reporting

MTA described a new formula for LOTS apportioned funding adopted for FY25 grants: the formula weights boardings, revenue vehicle miles and revenue vehicle hours (30% each) and population in poverty (10%); MTA said it also adopted a three‑year glide path to avoid sudden operating cuts for jurisdictions. The committee asked MTA for additional detail on implementation and distribution changes.

Testimony and stakeholder views

More than a dozen witnesses — including labor unions (Amalgamated Transit Union locals), business groups (Greater Baltimore Committee, Central Maryland Transportation Alliance), health systems (University of Maryland Medical Center) and civic organizations — urged the panel to approve the governor’s proposed funding package or to consider even greater investment. Common themes were reliability, equity and the economic role of transit. Ray Baker of the Building Trades Council and Lester Davis of CareFirst cited job creation and health‑access benefits linked to reliable transit; community advocates recounted missed medical appointments and lost work caused by breakdowns and cut service.

DLS recommendations and follow-up requests

DLS recommended concurrence with the governor’s allowance on capital and asked MTA for additional committee narrative — specifically bimonthly status updates for the Purple Line and clarification on route selection and NEPA for the Red Line’s Baltimore alignment. DLS also recommended releasing restricted funds linked to a December report on proposed bus-route changes in Baltimore because the report met required items.

Next steps

MTA committed to provide the committee written clarifications on the staffing counts, timelines for police hiring and updated information on planned capital cash flows. Committee members indicated they will follow up in writing on specific items not resolved during the hearing.

Ending note

Witnesses and agency leaders framed the budget as more than maintenance: they said the package is an investment in reliability, equity and economic opportunity and argued that underinvestment would result in worsening service and higher long-term costs. The committee requested detailed follow‑up on staffing counts, specific capital cash flows and Purple/Red Line schedules so lawmakers can weigh FY26 budget and financing decisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","T&E Committee Session, 2/17/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","The House Appropriations Committee Transportation and Environment Subcommittee heard the Department of Legislative Services’ analysis of the Maryland Transit Administration’s fiscal 2026 budget and broad public testimony urging sustained investment in state-of-good-repair and capital modernization.","taxTitle","Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee, Appropriations Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",78565,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6324937,"Maryland agriculture officials defend new LEAF program, seek clarity on reimbursements and IT accounting during appropriations hearing",2963,758000,3721000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335268-c002d83690ced486487558440869098d&start=758&end=3721","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335268-c002d83690ced486487558440869098d/thumbnail_758000.jpg","/articles/6324937/Maryland/Maryland-agriculture-officials-defend-new-LEAF-program-seek-clarity-on-reimbursements-and-IT-accounting-during-appropriations-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324937-d65c917220eb8ea44c943578d98b9f74/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212245&Signature=mwFUAedN57xNKSvYnDjRTaSiAgIGuUVbBSngbGQ8GKNTzEu-eZ7yoyqieEmbjYrP1NjKI6EZ5KSOY3Mdn4l12xAEEV9v8Lx2roiNo18RYKinm1caewZrahN0q-Kf74Z~C5MZnNTBavFvcyzvVp81gu-zxSDWlHWxAd3csq0IUs7W2MxLkbBfO38eVe7tqR6d1gx3XMRTluI2cHL9SL~KT7Avk8VZfRfdseln4l4ndSqd~0mvg2oFk4jVBarj6UnRjQZgoIcW3-1tCr8H~vrVeNFLAxvLIr5AM-pnAFy8Td1S6-Ol9k2tHmkRVzrEDCSn1cRB9EHxW4s8VYibWDLj3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee Transportation and Environment Subcommittee heard detailed review and questioning of the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) fiscal 2026 operating budget, with agency leaders urging clarification on federal reimbursements and workability of new programs while defending staff hiring and IT project costs.

The Department of Legislative Services’ analyst, Andrew Gray, told the subcommittee the MDA budget falls about $6.9 million (5.2%) to $125.9 million and flagged multiple items that need further explanation, including a $2.2 million reversion tied to tree-planting funding, a proposed new Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming program (LEAF), and several large information-technology cash-flow changes. “The agency is not able to use the full $2,500,000 and therefore there's actually a buffer provision to reduce that amount by $2,000,000,” Gray said during his presentation.

Why it matters

Committee members pressed the agency on program intent and the limits of state authority, particularly for new programs and outbreaks that carry federal reimbursement questions. The session laid out possible conditional budget actions the legislature could take — including restricting or reducing new program money — and asked the agency for written follow-up on funding sources, vacancy rates and federal communications.

Key details and agency answers

- Avian influenza reimbursements: The committee pressed MDA about federal reimbursement for work on highly pathogenic avian influenza. Heather Barthel, MDA assistant secretary for administration, described the federal process: a pre-award preserves funds while the emergency cooperative agreement is reviewed. Barthel said the department’s emergency cooperative agreement with USDA had been approved after submission, and urged continued coordination with federal partners on eligible costs.

- LEAF (Maryland Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming): Secretary Kevin Addick (for the record: Kevin Addick, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Agriculture) described LEAF as an incentive program to reward farmers who “stack” conservation and community-engagement practices and to connect producers to institutional buyers. DLS noted inconsistencies between the administration’s fiscal note and the budget reconciliation financing act (BRFAA) reductions; DLS recommended reducing the initial appropriation and making part of the FY26 funding contingent on the policy bill creating the program. Addick said LEAF builds on prior policy work and is designed to increase farmer engagement across multiple programs.

- Vacancies and personnel: Gray told the committee that, as of Dec. 31, 2024, DLS recorded about 45 vacancies and recommended reducing six newly requested positions because existing vacancies could be used to meet staffing needs. Secretary Addick said MDA has since reduced its vacancy rate through active hiring and estimated a 4.68% vacancy rate going forward. Addick defended four positions tied to a food-processing-residuals (sludge) oversight program and one lab pathologist position tied to avian influenza response; another requested position would support the LEAF program.

- Information technology accounting and modernization projects: MDA officials said an apparent spike in prior-year IT costs resulted from an accounting correction by the state DoIT office that reallocated earlier shared project expenses (work on the OneStop platform) to agency projects. Heather Barthel told the panel, “we did not even realize until last week that the cost… was showing us having this ballooned amount of money for prior years.” Gray and MDA staff asked the committee to treat some IT cash flows conservatively when judging year-to-year changes.

- Electric vehicle (EV) charging station inspection authority and equipment needs: DLS and committee members questioned who would regulate reliability and uptime for EV chargers (as opposed to accuracy). Rachel Jones, MDA director of government relations, said the interim work group left the ultimate assignment to the Legislature and observed that MDA’s weights-and-measures division already has authority over accuracy but lacks the equipment and staff to test reliability. MDA estimated the needed test equipment at roughly $600,000–$650,000, a figure the agency said did not make it through an earlier appropriations process.

What DLS recommended during the hearing

DLS recommended a set of contingencies and reporting requirements, including: (1) reducing or restricting six new positions and related funding given the previously reported vacancy pool; (2) reducing the FY26 LEAF appropriation from the proposed $900,000 to $500,000 and making up to $100,000 contingent on a required program report; and (3) deleting a proposed $2.0 million federal grant appropriation that DLS expects will not be received. The department agreed to provide written follow-up on several of these items.

Context and next steps

Public witnesses representing the Rural Maryland Council and five regional councils told the subcommittee that reductions to pass-through grants would reduce awards for rural economic and small-business development. Charlotte Davis, executive director of the Rural Maryland Council, said last year the council received requests for roughly $20 million in grants and awarded a little more than $6 million.

The committee asked MDA for more detail on the LEAF program design (contracts vs. grants, number of staff positions), documentation of federal communications about avian influenza reimbursement, and updated vacancy and IT-cost accounting information. DLS said it will include requested follow-up in the agency’s fiscal file and asked the committee to withhold any final budget actions until outstanding issues are clarified.

Ending note

MDA leaders emphasized the department’s dual needs to respond to near-term animal- and plant-health crises while building longer-term conservation and value-added agriculture supports. The committee closed the agriculture portion of the hearing after the agency agreed to provide the requested written follow-up materials and clarifications.

","Department of Agriculture officials answered questions about proposed fiscal 2026 budget cuts, the new ‘LEAF’ conservation program, highly pathogenic avian influenza reimbursements and an information-technology accounting correction, while Department of Legislative Services recommended contingency reductions and reporting requirements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6324927,"Committee approves amended Transportation and Climate Alignment Act (HB84) after two amendments",0,9830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335268-c002d83690ced486487558440869098d&start=9830&end=9830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335268-c002d83690ced486487558440869098d/thumbnail_9830000.jpg","/articles/6324927/Maryland/Committee-approves-amended-Transportation-and-Climate-Alignment-Act-HB84-after-two-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324927-447df3047b8281c8e901d65aaec9bee1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775212245&Signature=L0NCPAhjsOT1W9zD1v3MfEx6aNcd8tx~vw7wqFY4nZZogDPlireLCgYodqC7nIbbL07ktUlg~EiAq1lo25ISYUBd3Zoe4~v5E86di~yWRuo3tfB91pgbTTekwNOEUh39FjL0yJzRXp8XeJW7H0qxfdIxoNa1LxgKDbe4x07EGLqOtawt8zR9OAiJozDXrU1xCozIkcCUPK5dzvgzJX~gJ23XIHHmu7RTNZnB6V3yEf0CMbnSX7qFGm8fOU2~Q~HF34b6y7wuh0~5uyrLCbQSNTye6ynRoMhps37Ta8FJpgonQ4SoKCtvKGgrLMhl3wvvWCFnbScMY3~lzNPPC7TY1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee Transportation and Environment Subcommittee voted to adopt two amendments to House Bill 84, the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2025, and then approved the amended bill during the session’s voting period.

DLS summary and amendments

Samuel Quist of the Department of Legislative Services summarized HB84 for the committee: the bill would require the Maryland Department of Transportation to implement multimodal programs, undertake offsetting activities and conduct impact assessments to reduce or offset vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse‑gas emissions associated with major highway expansion projects. Quist said the bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

The committee adopted two amendments: the first was technical; the second raised the project-cost threshold for required impact assessments to $100 million and added clarifying reporting and eligibility language. The amendment also required MDOT to perform impact assessments in addition to multimodal program planning and added reporting requirements.

Vote

Committee members moved and seconded the amendments; the transcript records the committee approving the amendments unanimously. The amended bill then advanced on a committee vote the transcript records as 3 in favor and 2 opposed. The committee chair announced the bill as passed in the committee; next steps would follow the legislative process and any further floor consideration.

Context

HB84 ties transportation project review to greenhouse‑gas and vehicle‑miles‑traveled reduction strategies and sets thresholds and reporting requirements intended to direct MDOT to plan and mitigate climate impacts as part of major highway projects. The increase of the cost threshold to $100 million narrows the set of projects that would be subject to the assessments compared with lower thresholds.

Ending note

The committee’s action produced a durable committee record: two adopted amendments (technical and clarifying) and an amended bill approved in committee (vote recorded in the transcript as 3–2). The transcript indicates committee members may discuss HB84 further in subsequent legislative steps.","House Appropriations Transportation and Environment Subcommittee adopted two amendments to HB84 and approved the amended bill on a roll-call showing majority support (3–2 recorded in transcript); amendments tightened project eligibility and reporting and raised the project-cost threshold to $100 million.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Transit leaders and advocates push for MTA state-of-good-repair funding as DLS outlines capital and staffing details

Maryland agriculture officials defend new LEAF program, seek clarity on reimbursements and IT accounting during appropriations hearing

Committee approves amended Transportation and Climate Alignment Act (HB84) after two amendments