SB 578 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Public Safety - Department of State Police - Police-Initiated Towing - Alterations

SB 578 requires Maryland's Department of State Police to establish and publish approved rates for police-initiated towing services by January 2024, covering light-, medium-, and heavy-duty towing categories. It bans "per pound billing" by authorized towing companies on the Department's tow list after October 2023 and creates a new committee with industry representatives to set rates and handle complaints. The bill directly affects towing companies contracted by police, vehicle owners whose vehicles are towed, and the Department of State Police. Key provisions include standardizing pricing, prohibiting variable weight-based fees, and creating a formal process for resolving disputes over towing charges.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Public Safety - Department of State Police - Police-Initiated Towing - Alterations → Enrolled - Public Safety - Department of State Police - Police-Initiated Towing - Alterations · 3 edits · May 12, 2026

MINOR

The bill transitioned from a draft version to its final enrolled form, adding official signatures and proofreading marks. Substantively, the bill was amended to clarify that it applies specifically to 'light-duty' vehicles (under 10,000 lbs) rather than all vehicles, and it formally established a 'Committee on Rate Setting and Complaint Resolution' to oversee rate approvals and handle consumer complaints.

Scope change

The scope was narrowed by explicitly limiting the new rate-setting rules to light-duty towing, whereas the original draft text was less specific about vehicle weight categories in the summary section.

DEFINITION

The summary of the bill's purpose was updated to explicitly mention 'light-duty vehicles' and the creation of a new 'Committee on Rate Setting and Complaint Resolution'.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added for the Department to base approved rates on recommendations from the newly established Committee.

TECHNICAL

The header and front matter were updated to reflect the bill's status as 'Enrolled' with signatures and proofreader lines.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 30, 2026

How they voted

47–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 49

Mar 27, 2026

D Democratic36

35 Yea 1

97% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% 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 528

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Enrolled

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Introduced

Senate Concurs House Amendments

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 30, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (139-0-3)

house of delegates

Mar 27, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (47-0-2)

senate

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Referred Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

First Reading Judicial Proceedings

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors