Maglev funding ban draws divided testimony as proponents warn it could foreclose future options

House Bill 400, sponsored by Delegate Nicole Williams, would prohibit Maryland from using appropriated state funds for a proposed magnetic levitation (Maglev) passenger rail system. The committee heard sharply divided testimony on the bill; proponents said the state should not commit taxpayer resources to an unproven, expensive private project, while opponents — including project proponents, contractors and some business and labor groups — said an outright ban could create unintended consequences and foreclose future state decisions.