SB 179

SENATE BILL 179
     R1  6lr1188
     SB 559/25 – FIN  (PRE–FILED)
     By: Senator Benson
     Requested: October 14, 2025
     Introduced and read first time: January 14, 2026
     Assigned to: Finance
  A BILL ENTITLED
1 AN ACT concerning
2     Transportation – Study on Speed Limits – Interstate 495 and Connected
3Highways
4 FOR the purpose of requiring the Department of Transportation to conduct a study on the
5      implications of requiring the speed limit to deviate by a certain number of miles per
6      hour at locations where a highway in the State connects to Interstate 495; and
7      generally relating to a study on speed limits on highways in the State that connect
8      to Interstate 495.
9SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
10 That:
11(a)   The Department of Transportation shall conduct a study on the implications
12 of speed limit changes on highways in the State that connect to I–495.
13(b)   The study shall:
14(1)    identify the highways in the State that connect to I–495;
15(2)    identify the speed limits on the highways in the State that connect to
16 I–495;
17(3)    analyze the traffic congestion over the past 5 years at locations where
18 highways in the State connect to I–495;
19(4)    analyze the prevalence of speeding tickets over the past 5 years at
20 locations where highways in the State connect to I–495;
21(5)    analyze the prevalence of accidents over the past 5 years at locations
22 where highways in the State connect to I–495;
     EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
  [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
  *sb0179*
2SENATE BILL 179
1(6)    analyze other hazards and incidents over the past 5 years at locations
2 where highways in the State connect to I–495;
3(7)    analyze existing speed limits on the highways in the State that connect
4 to I–495;
5(8)    analyze the feasibility of requiring the speed limit to deviate by only 5
6 miles per hour at locations where a highway in the State connects to I–495; and
7(9)    if feasible, recommend measures for requiring the speed limit to deviate
8 by only 5 miles per hour at locations where a highway in the State connects to I–495.
9(c)    In conducting the study required under subsection (a) of this section, the
10 Department shall consult with local officials and stakeholders that have expertise and
11 familiarity with traffic safety issues faced by drivers who use highways in the State that
12 connect to I–495.
13      (d)   On or before December 31, 2026, the Department shall report its findings and
14 recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State
15 Government Article, the General Assembly.
16SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
17 1, 2026. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and, at the end of June 30, 2027, this
18 Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no
19 further force and effect.