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Infrastructure

Community Voice

Transit authority eminent domain powers

A 2026 Maryland ballot amendment would authorize the state legislature to allow the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to acquire property deemed necessary for transportation purposes, compensating owners at fair market value. The measure expands the MTA's eminent domain powers and is part of a broader push to improve public transit infrastructure in Maryland.

Should Maryland authorize the Transit Administration to acquire private property for transit projects at fair market value?

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Sources

Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Maryland_2026_ballot_measures
Maryland Transit Administration Authority to Take Property for Transit Purposes Amendment (2026) — Authorize the state legislature to acquire property the Maryland Transit Administration determines is necessary for transportation purposes by paying the owners fair value of said property.
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Strongly support — robust eminent domain powers are essential for building equitable, modern public transit systems.
  2. Support — the MTA needs reliable land acquisition tools to deliver transit projects efficiently at fair compensation.
  3. Support with strong oversight — allow property acquisition but require independent review of necessity and fair value.
  4. Limit the power — require supermajority legislative approval for each property acquisition to protect owners' rights.
  5. Oppose — expanding government eminent domain powers risks abuse and unfairly burdens property owners.

Transit eminent domain authority

A proposed 2026 constitutional amendment would authorize the legislature to acquire property the Maryland Transit Administration deems necessary for transportation purposes by paying owners fair value. It raises questions about expanding eminent domain for transit projects versus property-owner protections.

Should Maryland expand authority to take private property for transit projects at fair value?

Tap a point along the line below to show where you stand.

How important is this to you?

Sources

Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Maryland_2026_ballot_measures
Maryland Transit Administration Authority to Take Property for Transit Purposes Amendment (2026) ... Authorize the state legislature to acquire property the Maryland Transit Administration determines is necessary for transportation purposes by paying the owners fair value of said property
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Broadly empower fast transit takings with strong relocation aid and public-interest priority
  2. Allow MTA-needed takings at fair value with clear public process and owner safeguards
  3. Permit limited transit eminent domain only after exhausting voluntary purchase options
  4. Keep strict limits on new eminent-domain power and require supermajority or local consent
  5. Reject expanded transit takings authority to fully protect private property rights