HB 1374 replaces the existing annual surcharge for zero-emission and plug-in electric vehicles with a new annual highway use fee for owners of alternative fuel vehicles, fuel-efficient vehicles (25+ MPG), and plug-in electric drive vehicles. It requires these owners to pay the annual fee instead of the previous $100-$125 surcharge, with fees deposited into a dedicated Highway Use Fee Account. The bill also establishes a voluntary mileage-based user fee program administered by the Department of Transportation, allowing vehicle owners to opt into this program instead of paying the annual fee. All funds in the Highway Use Fee Account must be used solely for Maryland’s regional commuter rail service, with strict rules prohibiting diversion to the general fund or other departmental purposes.
HB 1447 requires Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to create a system verifying vehicle owners' addresses. If the MVA finds a Maryland resident driving a vehicle registered in another state, it can investigate and issue a $150 penalty for failing to properly register the vehicle within 60 days of notice. If registration remains unaddressed after 60 days, a second $500 penalty applies. All penalties collected fund Maryland's Transportation Trust Fund. This bill directly affects Maryland residents who improperly register vehicles, primarily targeting out-of-state registrations of in-state residents.
SB 965 requires local governments operating automated traffic enforcement systems (like speed cameras or red-light cameras) to submit quarterly reports to Maryland’s Vision Zero coordinator about citations issued to vehicles registered in other states. The reports must include the out-of-state license plate number, whether the ticket was paid, and whether it remains overdue. Local governments must track these citations cumulatively over time, showing total issued, paid, and overdue tickets. This bill creates a data collection system for out-of-state traffic citations but does not change traffic enforcement rules or penalties.
SB 173 allows Maryland to create agreements with other states to share automated traffic violation records (like camera-issued speeding or red-light tickets) between jurisdictions. It authorizes the Motor Vehicle Administrator to refuse vehicle registration or renewal for owners with unpaid violations recorded by traffic cameras or speed monitoring systems in partner states. The bill specifically targets violations captured by traffic control signal monitoring and speed monitoring systems, enabling reciprocal enforcement. This affects out-of-state vehicle owners with unresolved Maryland traffic fines and Maryland residents with unpaid fines from other states. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
SB 206 allows Prince George's County to use speed monitoring systems on Maryland Route 210 (Indian Head Highway) and requires the Motor Vehicle Administration to suspend vehicle registration for owners who repeatedly fail to pay speeding fines. Specifically, registration must be suspended if a vehicle owner doesn’t pay the civil penalty or contest the violation for at least three overdue speeding citations within 90 days, or for any number of overdue citations totaling $500 or more in fines. The suspension applies only to vehicles involved in violations recorded by these systems on MD Route 210 in Prince George's County. Vehicle owners can request a hearing before suspension and must pay all overdue fines plus a $30 administrative fee to restore registration. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 8 establishes Maryland's Dangerous Driver Abatement Program to address repeat traffic violations captured by automated systems. It directly affects drivers who accumulate three or more violations (e.g., running red lights, ignoring stop signs, or speeding near schools) within 12 months, as recorded by traffic cameras or speed monitoring devices. The program requires the Motor Vehicle Administration to send written notices detailing violations, list approved safety courses online, and mandate that repeat offenders complete a course within 30 days - or face suspension of their vehicle registration. Low-income offenders (with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level) are exempt from the course requirement but must still receive the notice.
HB 510 requires Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration to partner with Virginia to obtain data on Maryland residents who own vehicles improperly registered in Virginia. The bill creates a searchable database of this information, making it available to law enforcement for automated speed enforcement citations. It increases penalties for drivers or owners of such vehicles, raising the maximum fine for speeding violations from $40 to $250 for offenses recorded by automated systems. This directly affects Maryland residents who register vehicles in Virginia instead of Maryland, impacting how speed violations are enforced and fined for these specific vehicles.
HB 559 revises how Maryland distributes highway user revenue funds for capital grants to Baltimore City, counties, and municipalities. It changes the percentage allocations from the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account across specific fiscal years: Baltimore City’s share increases to 12.2% for 2026-2027 (down to 9.5% after 2028), counties’ share rises to 4.8% for 2026-2027 (then 3.7%), and municipalities’ share grows to 3.0% for 2026-2027 (then 2.4%). These adjustments apply to funds calculated annually based on highway user revenues like fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees. The bill directly affects local governments receiving these state-funded transportation grants.
HB 210 requires Maryland counties and municipalities with automated traffic enforcement programs (like speed cameras or red-light cameras) to submit quarterly reports to the Vision Zero coordinator. These reports must include specific details for each citation issued to out-of-state vehicles, such as license plate numbers, payment status, and whether the citation is past due. The bill, set to take effect October 1, 2026, creates a standardized reporting process to track enforcement against non-resident drivers without changing traffic laws or enforcement practices.
HB 249 allows Maryland to create formal agreements with other states to enforce automated traffic violations (like camera-recorded speeding or red-light tickets) across state lines. It authorizes the Motor Vehicle Administrator to enter reciprocal enforcement agreements, meaning out-of-state violations recorded by traffic cameras or speed systems could affect a vehicle's registration in Maryland. The bill directly affects vehicle owners, as it permits refusing registration or renewal for vehicles with unresolved violations in partner jurisdictions. This policy change streamlines cross-state enforcement of automated traffic laws without specifying new penalties or safety outcomes.
