Attorney General seeks reduced reporting frequency on port-bridge litigation; committee hears timeline for federal case

Jessica Finberg, representing the Office of the Attorney General, asked the Economic Matters Committee for a favorable report on House Bill 575, which would reduce the frequency of required reports from the Attorney General to the General Assembly about economic damages recovery efforts related to the Port of Baltimore closure and the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Finberg said current law requires monthly updates, but much of the litigation information is privileged attorney work product or involves confidential communications with counsel and witnesses. "We can only report on aspects of litigation that are known publicly such as decisions by the court," Finberg said, adding that many reports to date have been brief status updates stating that the office continues to engage in factual discovery.

Finberg outlined the litigation schedule in federal court: factual discovery is ongoing and was expected to continue until July of the current year; expert discovery is scheduled through February 2026; and the trial for phase one of the litigation is set for June 1, 2026. She noted the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland has ordered the litigation to proceed in two phases; the first phase will determine whether the vessel owner and manager are entitled to a limitation of liability.

Given the timeline and the limited reportable public developments, Finberg said the Attorney General's assessment is that a six-month reporting period will better serve the General Assembly. She also told the committee the Senate version of this bill had passed unanimously earlier the same day.

No committee vote is recorded in the hearing transcript excerpt. The Attorney General's representative urged that the six-month reporting cadence would balance legislative oversight with the protection of privileged litigation material.