Vehicle Laws - Transfer of Used Vehicles - Repeal of Notarized Bill of Sale Requirement
HB 251 repeals the requirement for a notarized bill of sale when transferring ownership of used vehicles in Maryland. It specifically removes Section 13-809(d)(2) of the Maryland Vehicle Law, which previously mandated this notarization for private sales where the purchase price was $500 or more below the national used car value. This change directly affects private sellers (non-dealers) selling used vehicles, simplifying the transfer process by eliminating the notarization step. The bill does not alter tax rates, fair market value calculations, or other existing requirements for vehicle transfers. The repeal takes effect October 1, 2026.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Sep 26, 2025
Signed Apr 14, 2026
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First - Vehicle Laws - Transfer of Used Vehicles - Repeal of Notarized Bill of Sale Requirement
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Third - Vehicle Laws - Transfer of Used Vehicles - Repeal of Notarized Bill of Sale Requirement
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3 edits
MINOR
This bill removes the requirement for a notarized bill of sale when transferring used vehicles in Maryland. Previously, buyers had to get a bill of sale notarized to prove the vehicle's value if the purchase price was significantly below market rates. This change simplifies the transfer process by eliminating the need for notarization while keeping the existing rules about how vehicle value is calculated for tax purposes.
Scope change
The bill applies to all used vehicle transfers between private parties, removing a specific procedural requirement (notarization) that previously applied to these transactions.
REQUIREMENT
Eliminated the mandate that a bill of sale must be notarized to verify a vehicle's purchase price during title transfers.
DEFINITION
Reorganized the definitions of 'fair market value' to clarify how value is determined for licensed dealers versus private sellers, though the core calculation methods remained largely the same.
TECHNICAL
Added administrative status updates indicating the bill was favorably reported by the committee and adopted by the House.
Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 5, 2026
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Apr 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 118
executive
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
upper
Apr 8, 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
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
Sep 26, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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