Howard County - Illegal Dumping - Surveillance System Pilot Program Ho. Co. 6-26
HB 1116 authorizes Howard County to install surveillance systems at repeat illegal dumping sites and mail citations to vehicle owners captured by these systems. The bill requires the County to issue citations that give violators two options: pay a civil penalty or request a court trial. It also prohibits the Motor Vehicle Administration from registering or transferring vehicles linked to confirmed illegal dumping incidents. This pilot program applies specifically to Howard County and modifies existing Maryland law to implement these enforcement mechanisms for litter disposal violations.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 11, 2026
Last action Apr 13, 2026
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First - Howard County - Illegal Dumping - Surveillance System Pilot Program Ho. Co. 6-26
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Third - Howard County - Illegal Dumping - Surveillance System Pilot Program Ho. Co. 6-26
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4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was advanced from its first reading to adoption with a favorable committee report, moving it closer to becoming law. The text was reorganized to repeal and reenact specific sections of the Criminal Law and Courts and Judicial Proceedings articles, primarily to update citation procedures for illegal dumping in Howard County and Baltimore City. The changes clarify that citations issued via surveillance systems allow defendants to elect a trial by notifying the appropriate authority at least five days before payment, and they specify which county departments are authorized to manage these surveillance programs.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on authorizing surveillance systems for illegal dumping in Howard County and Baltimore City, but the procedural rules for citations and trial elections were modified to apply specifically to Howard County courts in the reenacted text.
ENFORCEMENT
Citation procedures were updated to allow defendants in Howard County to elect a trial by notifying the District Court at least five days before the payment date, whereas the previous version required notification to the Baltimore City Department of Public Works.
DEFINITION
The authorized departments for managing surveillance systems were explicitly defined as the Howard County Police Department or another department designated by the Howard County Executive.
TIMELINE
The bill was formally adopted and read a second time on March 3, 2026, advancing its legislative status.
TECHNICAL
Several repealed and reenacted articles were swapped or renumbered (e.g., moving from Criminal Law to Courts and Judicial Proceedings), likely to align with the latest statutory volumes and organizational structure.
Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 5, 2026
How they voted
134–0
Passed · 8 other
Total votes 142
Mar 5, 2026
D
Democratic103
96% Yea
R
Republican39
89% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
9
Key actions
5
Committee
5
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Committee
Referred Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 5, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (134-0-8)
house of delegates
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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