HB 219 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Vehicle Laws - Out-of-State Vehicles - Improper Registration

HB 219 allows Baltimore City to tow, remove, or impound vehicles owned by new Maryland residents who fail to register with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and display valid Maryland license plates within 60 days of moving to the city. It directly affects new residents who do not comply with the existing 60-day registration grace period for out-of-state vehicles. The bill amends Maryland law to specifically authorize Baltimore City to enforce this requirement through towing or impoundment, rather than relying on general vehicle parking regulations. This change clarifies Baltimore City's authority to act during the 60-day registration window, aligning with current state law but specifying the city's enforcement power.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2024

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Aug 12, 2024 Last action Mar 19, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Baltimore City - Out-of-State Vehicles - Improper Registration → Third - Vehicle Laws - Out-of-State Vehicles - Improper Registration · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to expand its scope from only applying to new residents of Baltimore City to applying to all State residents who improperly register vehicles in another state. The changes add a warning system, civil fines, and civil actions in rem to enforce proper vehicle registration across the entire state, not just within Baltimore City.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from Baltimore City only to statewide application for improperly registered out-of-state vehicles owned by State residents.

SCOPE

Changed the bill title and purpose from focusing on Baltimore City to applying to all State residents who fail to register vehicles properly in another state.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a warning system requiring vehicle owners to properly register or provide proof of non-registration within 60 days of receiving a warning.

Added civil fines of $7 per day for up to 60 days for failure to comply with registration requirements after receiving a warning.

Added authority for the State's Attorney to bring civil actions in rem against improperly registered vehicles, including immobilization, towing, removal, impounding, or booting.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for the Administration to notify appropriate local jurisdictions if a vehicle owner fails to register within 120 days after receiving a warning.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligibility from new residents of Baltimore City to all State residents who fail to properly register vehicles with the Administration and display valid registration plates.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2025

How they voted

126–5

Passed · 8 other

Total votes 139

Feb 27, 2025

D Democratic100

95 Yea 5

95% Yea

R Republican39

31 Yea 5 Nay 3

79% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 7, 2025

Committee

Referred Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Feb 27, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (126-5-8)

house of delegates

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

First Reading Environment and Transportation

lower

Aug 12, 2024

Introduced

Pre-filed

lower

15 primary · 0 co-sponsors