Section 7-713 - Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project(a) In this section, "Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project" means a high-capacity, fixed-route rapid transit service, with light rail transit as the preferred option, operating in a dedicated, grade-separated, 18.7-mile transitway in the Maryland Route 5/U.S. Route 301 corridor from the Branch Avenue Metrorail Station in Prince George's County to Waldorf and White Plains in Charles County.(b) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the Department promptly shall undertake all steps necessary to complete the design, engineering, and National Environmental Policy Act process and secure a record of decision for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project.(c)(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, in each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027, the Governor shall include in the annual State budget an appropriation from the Transportation Trust Fund of at least $5,000,000, contingent on the receipt of federal funds to be used to provide matching funds needed to conduct an environmental impact study under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project.(2) An appropriation required under paragraph (1) of this subsection may be reduced by the amount of the total authorized in the prior fiscal year to conduct the NEPA study.Added by 2021 Md. Laws, Ch. 739,Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2021.Added by 2021 Md. Laws, Ch. 738,Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2021.