Transportation

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 856: Motor Vehicles - Driver's Licenses - Eligibility

SB 856 amends Maryland's driver's license eligibility requirements for provisional and original licenses. It lowers the minimum age for provisional licenses from 16 years 6 months to 16 years (with a 9-month waiting period after obtaining a learner's permit), adjusts age thresholds from 19 to 18 years for certain requirements, and modifies driving practice rules - including reducing nighttime driving hours for some age groups. The bill directly affects teen drivers (under 18) and young drivers aged 18-24, requiring specific classroom instruction, supervised driving hours, and night driving practice. These changes apply to all applicants seeking their first driver's license through the standard pathway.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationModifies teen driving rules to enhance safety (reduced nighttime driving hours for young drivers).85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1522: Traffic Control Signal Monitoring and Speed Monitoring Systems - Exemptions From Liability - Vehicle Rental Companies

HB 1522 removes a legal exemption that previously protected vehicle rental companies from liability for traffic violations captured by traffic control signal or speed monitoring systems. The bill repeals specific sections of Maryland law (21-202.1 and 21-809) that excluded rental companies and special plate holders from receiving citations for red-light running or speeding violations recorded by these systems. As a result, rental companies will now be directly liable for such violations, facing the same civil penalties as individual vehicle owners. This change affects all vehicle rental companies operating in Maryland, requiring them to address violations recorded by municipal or state monitoring systems. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRemoves liability exemption for rental companies on traffic violations, enhancing road safety enforcement through direct accountability for red-light/speeding violations captured by monitoring systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 1169: Howard County - Highways - Speed Limits Ho. Co. 8-26

Howard County would gain authority to lower speed limits on county highways to a minimum of 15 mph after conducting a traffic and engineering study. The bill prohibits Howard County from implementing new speed monitoring systems (like cameras) to enforce these reduced limits on affected highways. This specifically applies to Howard County highways where speed limits were decreased under this law, with no changes to existing limits for other jurisdictions. The bill modifies Maryland’s transportation code to establish these requirements for Howard County only.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables Howard County to lower highway speed limits to 15 mph for safety, enhancing transportation safety standards per Maryland transport modifications.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1170: Howard County - Speed Monitoring Systems - Expansion of Authorization Ho. Co. 9-26

HB 1170 expands Howard County's authorization to deploy speed monitoring systems on specific roads. It adds Howard County to the list of jurisdictions allowed to use these systems on highways identified in safety plans as high-risk for serious crashes, and specifically includes U.S. Route 1 (Washington Boulevard) as a permitted location. The bill requires local law approval, public hearings, and adherence to engineering standards before deployment. This directly affects Howard County residents and drivers traveling on the specified routes. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands speed monitoring systems on high-risk highways (e.g., U.S. Route 1) to enhance road safety, directly advancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 622: Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - Required Uses - Building Electrification and Transportation Electrification

SB 622 requires the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide loans and grants specifically for building electrification (replacing gas appliances with electric ones) and transportation electrification (such as electric vehicle infrastructure). This policy change directly affects Maryland residents, businesses, and local governments seeking funding to switch to electric systems. The bill amends existing law to mandate these uses of the fund, redirecting resources from previous allocations. It becomes effective October 1, 2026, without creating new programs but altering how existing funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing fund resources to electrification projects, directing state budget toward specific infrastructure spending as mandated use of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates fund allocation for building/transportation electrification, replacing fossil fuel dependence with electric systems, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates fund allocation for building/transportation electrification, reducing fossil fuel dependence and emissions, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates fund allocation for transportation electrification (e.g., EV infrastructure), directly funding sustainable transportation projects per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1081: Maryland Transit Administration Reform Act

HB 1081 creates a new Board of Directors for Baltimore Core Transit Service (encompassing local buses, light rail, Metro Subway, and paratransit in Baltimore) within the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). The Board, composed of 9 voting members (including 5 governor-appointed members with specific rider, accessibility, and labor representation requirements, plus city/county appointees), must approve major service plans and policies for Baltimore transit. The bill repeals the existing Baltimore Regional Transit Commission, proposes a constitutional amendment to allow MTA to use land acquisition powers for projects, and exempts MTA capital construction from certain state procurement rules. It directly affects MTA operations in Baltimore and establishes new governance structures for regional transit services.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates new governance structure for Baltimore transit with rider/accessibility representation, aiming to improve service policies and oversight per bill summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 965: Motor Vehicles - Out-of-State Drivers - Automated Enforcement (Out-of-State Driver Accountability Act)

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.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires out-of-state citation reporting for automated enforcement systems to support Vision Zero safety goals, enhancing traffic safety compliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1338: Motor Vehicles - Driver's Licenses - Eligibility

HB 1338 modifies Maryland's driver's license eligibility rules for provisional licenses and first-time applicants. It adjusts minimum ages and waiting periods: applicants under 18 must wait 9 months after getting a learner's permit before testing, while those aged 18-24 now need only 3 months (down from 9 months), and those 25+ require just 45 days. The bill also standardizes driving practice requirements, mandating 60 hours of supervised driving (including 10 nighttime hours) for most applicants, with reduced hours (14 total, 3 nighttime) for those 25+. These changes directly affect new drivers seeking their first license, particularly teenagers and young adults. The bill updates existing provisions in Maryland's transportation code without altering core licensing categories.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates 60 hours supervised driving (including 10 night hours) for license applicants, strengthening safety standards under vehicle regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

Track

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 789: Motor Vehicle Administration - Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Repairs - Study

SB 789 requires automotive repair facilities performing advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) recalibrations - such as those needed after windshield replacement - to obtain a license from Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration. It mandates that facilities inform customers if ADAS recalibration is required, provide written confirmation that work meets manufacturer specs, and prohibits facilities from charging for unperformed services. The bill also bans insurance companies from withholding ADAS repair information in estimates and makes violations of these rules unfair trade practices under Maryland's Consumer Protection Act. This directly affects repair shops, insurance providers, and vehicle owners by standardizing ADAS recalibration procedures and increasing transparency in repair costs.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires ADAS recalibration licensing to ensure safety compliance, enhancing vehicle safety standards under transportation regulations.90% confidence

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 833: Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in Maryland - Reestablishment

HB 833 reestablishes Maryland's Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety with updated membership and a focused mandate. The commission, composed of 27+ members including state agencies, fire departments, battery manufacturers, recyclers, and industry representatives, will study key safety issues like preventing fires in consumer/transportation applications, recycling standards, port/rail risks, and insurance impacts. It must submit an interim report by December 1, 2026, with recommendations on best practices, training, and regulatory approaches. This bill directly affects state agencies, first responders, and industries handling lithium-ion batteries, but does not enact new laws - only directs the commission to study and advise.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used in renewable energy storage and EVs, supporting clean energy infrastructure adoption through mandatory safety studies and recycling standards.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFocus on battery recycling standards and safety prevents pollution, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates commission to study lithium-ion battery safety in transportation applications, including fire prevention in vehicles/transit systems, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Recycling Ports Rail