The state Senate Finance Committee moved forward a proposal to study the feasibility of a third bridge span crossing the Chesapeake Bay. The associated bill is sponsored by Senate Minority Leader E.J. Pipkin, R-36-Upper Shore, who was pleased with the news his proposal received a favorable report by the Finance Committee, of which he is a member. The bill still requires full General Assembly approval and the governor’s signature. The bill does not mean a third span will be built for the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge, or that another bridge will be built across the Bay. It only requires the state to prepare an environmental impact statement as required by the National Environmental Policy Act for a new bridge.