SB 281 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Transportation Equality for Service Members Act

SB 281, the Transportation Equality for Service Members Act, updates Maryland’s legal definitions to ensure transportation benefits apply consistently to all uniformed services. It expands the definition of "veteran" under state law to include members of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who meet federal veteran criteria, directly affecting these service members and veterans in transportation-related programs. The bill amends specific sections of Maryland’s transportation and state government codes (notably Section 1-117) to align definitions of "uniformed services," "service member," and "veteran" with federal standards, ensuring eligibility for transportation benefits like parking and transit access.

Issues: ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 10, 2025 Signed May 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Transportation Equality for Service Members Act → Enrolled - Transportation Equality for Service Members Act · 3 edits · May 6, 2025

MINOR

The bill was finalized as an enrolled act, meaning it is now ready for the Governor's signature. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a new provision exempting certain vehicles owned by licensed dealers from a specific excise tax, which was not present in the earlier draft. Other changes involve renumbering existing sections and updating the list of articles and sections the bill affects to ensure consistency with the final legislative text.

Scope change

The bill's scope was slightly expanded to include an exemption for vehicle dealers from an excise tax, while the overall focus on transportation equality for service members remains unchanged.

FISCAL

Added an exemption for certain vehicles owned by licensed dealers from a specific excise tax.

TECHNICAL

Updated the list of affected articles and sections to reflect the final enrolled version of the bill.

Renumbered specific sections within the Transportation Article to align with the final legislative structure.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 23, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2025

How they voted

45–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 46

Mar 23, 2025

D Democratic33

32 Yea 1

96% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 6, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 264

executive

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Enrolled

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

Senate Concurs House Amendments

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed with Amendments

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 24, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (138-0-1)

house of delegates

Mar 23, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (45-0-1)

senate

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Jan 10, 2025

Committee

First Reading Judicial Proceedings and Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

8 primary · 0 co-sponsors