House panel approves Transportation and Climate Alignment Act (HB 84) after two amendments, 3‑2

The Transportation and Environment Subcommittee voted to advance House Bill 84, the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2025, after adopting two amendments and recording a 3‑2 roll on the final motion.

Analyst summary: Department of Legislative Services staff summarized the bill for the committee. DLS said HB 84 would require the Maryland Department of Transportation to implement multimodal transportation 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. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Amendments and committee action: The committee adopted two amendments. Amendment 1 was technical. Amendment 2 raised the project cost threshold for required assessment to $100 million, added a requirement that the department perform impact assessments in addition to multimodal program plans for eligible projects, expanded reporting obligations and made other clarifying changes to departmental duties. Members moved and seconded both amendments; the committee approved them unanimously.

Final vote: After the amendments were adopted, a motion to advance the amended bill passed on a recorded vote of 3 in favor and 2 opposed. The transcript records the outcome as 3–2 but does not list the division‑level roll call names on the record; committee staff noted the motion, a second, and the vote tally on the record.

What’s next: The bill as amended was reported favorably by the subcommittee and will proceed to the next committee or floor consideration according to the standard legislative calendar. Committee members indicated they may send follow‑up technical questions in writing to DLS staff or the bill sponsor.

Action summary: Motion to advance amended HB 84 (Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2025) — outcome: passed (3 yes, 2 no).