HB 1100 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Telecommunications Infrastructure - Protections

HB 1100 requires junk dealers, scrap metal processors, and antique dealers in Maryland to register with local law enforcement when purchasing telecommunications equipment and provide specific details like the seller's address and vehicle license number. It prohibits these dealers from buying such equipment except by mailing a check to the seller's address and bans selling or disposing of the equipment for 30 days after purchase. The bill also prohibits reckless or malicious damage to telecommunications infrastructure - including cell towers, fiber cables, and antennas - with violations punishable as felonies carrying up to six months in prison or $5,000 fines. These provisions directly affect businesses handling telecom equipment and aim to protect critical infrastructure from theft or destruction.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Telecommunications Infrastructure - Protections → Enrolled - Telecommunications Infrastructure - Protections · 4 edits · May 12, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, transitioning from a House draft to a version ready for the Governor's signature. The substantive policy changes include clarifying that certain documents (like bills of sale) can prove a seller has the right to sell telecom equipment, and expanding the list of specific telecom items (such as antennas and fiber optic cables) that are protected from being sold as scrap metal without proper authorization.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly list new categories of protected equipment and to clarify the documentation required for lawful sales, while also updating the specific code sections repealed and reenacted to reflect these changes.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific documentation types (bill of sale, receipt, letter of authorization) that establish lawful authority to sell telecommunications equipment as junk or scrap metal.

Updated the list of repealed and reenacted code sections to reflect amendments to Section 17-1009(d) regarding record-keeping and purchase restrictions.

DEFINITION

Expanded the list of protected items to include antennas, burned wires, busbars, cell tower batteries, fiber optic and copper cables, power inverters, materials with ownership markers, small cell facilities, and other public utility articles.

TECHNICAL

Removed draft metadata, committee reports, and placeholder text for chapter numbers and dates, replacing them with official enrolled bill formatting.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 26, 2026

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 20, 2026

D Democratic36

31 Yea 5

86% 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 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 546

executive

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Enrolled

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Introduced

House Concurs Senate Amendments

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Mar 26, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (132-0-10)

house of delegates

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion Special Order until Next Session (Delegate Grammer) Adopted

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion Special Order until Later This Session (Delegate Grammer) Adopted

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

First Reading Economic Matters

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors