Sen. Steve Hershey (R-36-Upper Shore) recently introduced Senate Bill 900 before the Senate Finance Committee.  If enacted the bill would require Maryland’s State Highway Administration to plan and design a four-lane highway for any county not currently bisected by one.  Maryland Route 404 would qualify under this legislation. 

“Route 404 through Caroline, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties is one of the state’s most dangerous roads.  Senate Bill 900 would require the state to complete the design and planning stages of its dualization,” said Hershey.

The legislation stems from a November 14, 2013 Consolidated Transportation Program meeting attended by officials from the Maryland Department of Transportation and Caroline County officials.  During that meeting Sen. Hershey questioned why there was no funding for Route 404 improvements beyond the current 1.5 mile expansion.

Speaking on the state’s piecemeal approach to 404’s dualization, Hershey said, “There is a stark contrast in how the state is handling certain transportation projects.  On one hand, Montgomery County’s Purple line and Baltimore City’s Red line are to be constructed in one fell swoop, on the other, Caroline County will watch the state’s mile by mile approach for the next 50 years before it has a completed four lane highway.”

During the testimony of SB900 Hershey stated, “Caroline officials have long stressed the dualization of Route 404 as a priority, it’s a part of the County’s Master Plan.  But if there is any doubt by the officials at SHA as to whether expanding Route 404 was a Caroline County priority, this bill should clear it up.”

Caroline County Commissioner Wilbur Levengood, who joined Sen. Hershey in testifying in support of the bill said, “There have been over 90 fatalities since the county has kept records on it.  This road has changed lives.”

John Fiastro Jr.
Chief of Staff
Office of Senator Stephen S. Hershey, Jr.
11 Bladen Street, Office #416
Annapolis, MD, 21401

410-841-3639

 

Senator Steve Hershey (R-36-Upper Shore) today told the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee that approval of his bill (SB 903) will “protect home and business owners from losing their property as a consequence of the $103 million in annual fees levied on property owners though the implementation of the rain tax.”

“I am fighting for approval of this bill to offer protection to businesses and property owners that have not been able to budget for these unexpected fees,” said Hershey.

There have been several bills this session aimed at repeal of the Stormwater Management Fee or “rain tax” as it is commonly known.  Sen. Hershey has sponsored SB 464 to mandate a full repeal the Stormwater Management Watershed Protection and Restoration Program which passed the General Assembly in 2012.

“Although I support an absolute repeal of this tax, I recognize the chance of repeal is slim,” Hershey said prior to the bill hearing.

Senate Bill 903 does two things: In the event a property owner is unable to pay the stormwater remediation fee or any portion of that fee, a county is prohibited from collecting interest or penalties on the unpaid amount of the fee if the amount is paid in full before July 1, 2023.  In addition, if the unpaid taxes on the property are attributed solely to the stormwater remediation fee, the county may not initiate a tax sale of the property before July 1, 2023.

“The measure does not exempt a property owner from paying the rain tax,” Hershey said.  “But what it does allow is ample time for a property owner to pay these unanticipated fees without fear of penalties, interest or the threat of losing the property to a tax sale.”

In preparation for this bill, Hershey obtained a letter for the Attorney General’s office that established the fees paid as a result of the 2012 legislation are indeed a tax.  Hershey stressed, “As it now stands, the Attorney General has confirmed that inability to pay the stormwater management fee can lead to a tax lien or tax sale of the property and eventual loss of the property.”

“While I am certain that the loss of property was not the intent of the rain tax, unless the law is corrected, it could easily become an unintended consequence.  My bill makes sure that home and business owners will not lose their properties as a result of the rain tax,” said Hershey.

Sen. Stephen Hershey represents Maryland’s 36th District, the counties of Kent, Caroline, Cecil and Queen Anne’s.

Contact:

John Fiastro

Chief of Staff

410-841-3639