Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration

2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

HIGHLIGHTS

 

2020 Proposed Legislation

Senate Bills

House Bills

Total Bills

# Introduced in the 2020 Session

1,087

1,675

2,762

# Passed both sides

323

357

680

# Monitored by the MDOT MVA

134

199

333

# Supported by the MDOT MVA

1

6

7

# Opposed by the MDOT MVA

0

0

0

# Letters of Information by the MDOT MVA

8

11

19

# Monitored by MDOT MVA that passed

37

35

72

 


The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) monitored over 300 bills during the 2020 Maryland General Assembly session.  This figure represents approximately 25% of the 2,762 bills introduced, and 48% of the 696 bills tracked by MDOT.  Thirty-five bills that passed both houses of the General Assembly will have a direct impact on MDOT MVA.


The following highlights the bills that have passed and will have a direct impact on MDOT MVA, our customers, or other transportation-related issues.



VEHICLE BILLS


Chapter 68 (HB 0133) Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program – Deployed Military Personnel – Exemption

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0133

This Administration bill provides an exemption from mandatory Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) requirements for motor vehicles owned by at least one active-duty member of the armed services if the owner has order for deployment outside of the United States or to a duty station in a jurisdiction not subject to a vehicle emissions control inspection and maintenance program. All owners of the vehicle must certify that the conditions have been met, and the exemption does not apply if prohibited by federal law.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 72 (SB 0134) & Chapter 71 (HB 0139) – Consumer Protection – Electronic Transactions – Sale and Lease of Vehicles

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0134

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0139

This bill alters the Maryland Uniform Electronic Transaction Act to establish that dealers and certain non-dealer entities may contract for the sale and delivery of a vehicle by electronic means.  The bill provides that a consumer is only deemed to have agreed to enter into an electronic transaction for vehicle sale or lease if they have been provided by the dealer with a clear and readable copy of each document requiring consumer signature in an electronic or written form, and reasonable opportunity to review the documents before electronically signing.  If not delivered to the dealership, the dealer is required to deliver the vehicle to the consumer’s physical address at an agreed upon date and time within seven days after the contract is finalized, unless the consumer agrees to additional time.  The bill does not apply retroactively.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 83 (HB 0154) Motor Vehicles – Electronic Inspection Certificates for Used Vehicles – Sunset Extension

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0154

This bill authorizes the Automotive Safety Enforcement Division of the Department of State Police to require the electronic submission of an inspection certificate for the purposes of vehicle titling and registration.  The bill removes the authorization for use of an inspection certificate form for the submission of the inspection certificate, and removes the sunset provision in current law, making the bill permanent.

Effective Date – June 1, 2020


Chapter 86 (HB 0158) Vehicle Laws – Equipment and Inspections – Standards and Requirements

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0158

This bill alters certain vehicle equipment and safety standards to reflect technology advancements, industry standards, and confirm with federal law.   The bill amends standards for windshields, lighting equipment and brakes; clarifies the applicability of current law with respect to use of additional parts and accessories; provides for the use of certain signs by transportation network services; and revises inspection provisions for the licensing of inspection stations and mechanics.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 115 (SB 0199) & Chapter 114 (HB 0230) Vehicle Laws – Overtaking and Passing Bicycles

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0199

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0230

This bill authorizes the driver of a vehicle to cross the left side of the roadway in a no-passing zone in order to overtake and pass a bicycle.  The driver must yield the right of way to the bicycle and oncoming traffic.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 146 (HB 0271) Vehicle Laws – Certificate of Title Fee – Trailer Gifted to Family Member

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0271

This bill reduces the certificate of title fee from $100 to $50 for a class G trailer or semitrailer with a gross vehicle weight of 3,000 pounds or less that is transferred to a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, sibling, grandparent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law of the transferor, or a niece or nephew of the transferor if the transferor is at least 65 years old at the time of the transfer.  The transfer must be made as a gift without monetary or other valuable considerations in exchange.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 286 (HB 0646) Vehicle Registration – Special Plates for Veterans – Fees

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0646

This bill establishes that the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund also consists of certain fees from special registration plates for recipients of individually earned, combat-related armed forces medals.  The bill requires that a certain portion of the fee from the issuance of new registration plates be credited to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund.

Effective Date July 1, 2020


Chapter 404 (HB 1013) Vehicle Laws – Rental Vehicles – Driver’s License Verification and Records

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1013

This bill prohibits a person from renting a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to any person who the lessor, or designated agent, has not verified has an unexpired license.  The bill further allows that the verification may be done through electronic or digital means and specifies that if a lessor rents a vehicle to a person and the person is able to take possession without making direct contact with the lessor, then the lessor is deemed to have met the requirements for rental if the lessee is required to enter into a master program agreement or memberships.  The bill further requires that a lessor destroy personal data within 60 days after an individual terminates a membership or master program agreement.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 412 (SB 0778) & Chapter 411 (HB 1033) Vehicle Laws – Liens – Electronic Recording

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0778

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1033

This bill requires a lien release pertaining to a motor vehicle to be filed electronically with the MDOT MVA within five business days.  It further requires the MDOT MVA to develop and implement an electronic system for recording and releasing security interests, and allows that the system may be used for the transmission of publicly available vehicle records, but exempts from these requirements a lienholder not regularly engaged in financing motor vehicles.  Finally, the bill requires a lienholder to electronically file liens and lien releases

Effective Date – January 1, 2021


Chapter 504 (SB 0041) Baltimore County – Vehicle Height Monitoring Systems

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0041

This bill authorizes Baltimore County to place vehicle height monitoring systems on

highways in Baltimore County if authorized by local law after notice and public hearing, and establishes that the registered owner of a vehicle does not include a leasing company or holder of an interchangeable registration.  The bill establishes certain conditions to be met prior to the placement of a vehicle height monitoring system in Baltimore County, including but not limited to the convening of a working group with specified makeup, adoption of local law limiting the number of devices, and subsequent recommendations by the working group to the Baltimore County Council.  The bill requires that a first violation result in a warning, establishes maximum penalties for violations, and establishes other requirements for the issuance and processing of these civil citations. 

Effective Date – October 1, 2021



DRIVER BILLS


Chapter 427 (HB 1118) Motor Vehicle Administration – Records – Voluntary Disclosure of Developmental Disability

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1118

This bill requires the MDOT MVA to develop and make available by January 1, 2021 a card for the voluntary self-disclosure of a developmental disability.  The bill establishes that the card shall be approximately the same size as a driver’s license, be printed on blue paper, include space for details on the individual’s disability, and include written guidance on effective communication between law enforcement and people with developmental disabilities.  The bill further requires that the Administration consult with specified organizations to develop the form; requires that a card issued to a minor be provided to a parent or guardian; and prohibits the maintenance of records related to the issuance of a card, except as required by law.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 514 (SB 0077) Important Documents and Identification Cards – Inmates

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0077​

This bill requires the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS)

to obtain an inmate’s birth certificate and Social Security card at the earliest date possible after taking custody of an inmate, and requires local correctional facilities to develop and implement a policy for assisting inmates to obtain a state identification card, either before or after their release from confinement.  Under the bill, MVA is required to issue an ID card at no cost to an applicant who presents their DOC-issued ID card and Social Security card. The bill establishes certain reporting requirements for DPSCS related to the issuance of ID cards under these provisions.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020



PENALTY BILLS


Chapter 150 (SB 0234) & Chapter 149 (HB 0280) Vehicle Laws – Suspension of Driver's License or Registration – Unpaid Citations or Judgments

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0234

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0280

This bill restricts the Motor Vehicle Administration’s ability to suspend a driver’s license for nonpayment of a traffic citation or judgement.  The bill repeals the provision that permits the court to certify a failure to pay to MVA and for MVA to suspend the driving privileges of the person until the fine has been paid.  Instead the bill allows that if a defendant fails to pay a fine or enter into an installment plan, the court may refer the amount owed to the Central Collections Unit (CCU) or process the unpaid fine as any other fine owed to the court.  The bill reduces the fine threshold for payment plan eligibility from $300 to $150 if a defendant certifies inability to pay, allows that any defendant who has failed to pay fines for traffic offenses is eligible, and removes the requirement that installment payments constitute 10% of the total fine amount each month.  The bill allows that if a defendant fails to pay a fine as required by their payment plan (default), the court may refer to fine to CCU or process as a fine owed to the court.  The bill further repeals the requirement that MVA suspend the license and vehicle registrations of a judgement debtor and allows that a judgement debtor may make payments on a payment plan if it is not in default.  Additionally, the bill requires that traffic citations advise a recipient that if the citation is payable, the person may enter into a payment plan and allows that a notice to appear may be satisfied by entering into an installment plan agreement.  The bill requires the Department of Legislative Services to study installment plans and applies retroactively to any driver’s license or driving privilege actively suspended under a provision of law affected by the bill.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 40 (SB 0177) & Chapter 39 (HB 0046) Motor Vehicle Administration – Authority to Suspend Registration for Violations Recorded by Traffic Control Signal Monitoring Systems – Repeal

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0177

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0046

This bill repeals the authority of the Motor Vehicle Administration to suspend the registration of a motor vehicle if the owner (or driver) of the vehicle fails to pay the penalty assessed for a violation recorded by a traffic control signal monitoring system or a speed monitoring system.  

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 107 (SB 0859) & Chapter 106 (HB 0200) Vehicle Laws – Registrations Plate Frames and Borders – Enforcement

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0859

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0200

This bill makes a violation involving the placement of an object framing or bordering the edges of a registration plate a secondary offense, enforceable only when a driver has been detained for another suspected violation.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 610 (HB 0028) Vehicle Laws – Driver’s Licenses Confiscated for Real ID Compliance – Failure to Possess or Display

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0028

This emergency bill allows a person to satisfy the requirement that each individual driving a motor vehicle on a highway in the State carry and display a license to any uniformed police officer who demands, it by possessing (and displaying) a recall notice issued within the previous 60 days by a law enforcement officer.  The bill establishes that if a law enforcement officer confiscates a driver’s license for failure to submit documents required under MD TA § 15-106 the officer shall issue a written recall notice detailing the reason for confiscation, affirmation that driving privileges are not revoked, instructions for recovery and date of issuance.  The bill further requires the Administration to develop a form for the required recall notice and make it available to law enforcement agencies in the state.  The bill terminates December 31, 2024.

Effective Date – Emergency – Upon Enactment



MISCELLANEOUS BILLS


Chapter 418 (SB 0813) & Chapter 417 (HB 1064) Vehicle Laws -Manufacturers and Dealers

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0813

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1064

This bill requires an owner, partner, or stockholder of a vehicle dealership seeking to sell, assign, or otherwise transfer a franchise, or any rights under said franchise, to provide a written notice the vehicle manufacturer of the proposed transfer.  The bill further requires that a manufacturer provide the transferor with all forms and request for information necessary to evaluate the proposed transfer within 20 days.  Once the completed forms and requests are received by the manufacturer, they have 75 days to give consent or provide a written statement with the specific grounds for refusal within the existing requirements.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 63 (SB 0125) & Chapter 62 (HB 0118) Private Passenger Motor Vehicle Insurance – Prohibition on Cancellation Due to Towing or Emergency Roadside Coverage Claims

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0125

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0118

This bill prohibits a private passenger motor vehicle insurer from cancelling, refusing to renew, or otherwise terminating a private motor vehicle insurance policy based on claims made under towing and emergency roadside coverage.  Under the bill an insurer is permitted to increase a premium based on such claims, or to terminate towing coverage upon renewal.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 65 (SB 0171) & Chapter 64 (HB 0120) Motor Carriers and For-Hire Driving Services – Nonprofit Organizations and Volunteer Drivers

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0171?ys=2020RS

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0120

This bill establishes that transportation services that a nonprofit organization provides through a volunteer driver and that volunteer driver’s personal vehicle are exempt from the requirement to obtain a motor carrier permit, which is required for passenger vehicles used in the transportation of persons for hire.  The bill also establishes that those transportation services provided by a nonprofit through the use of volunteer driver and vehicle are not transportation network services.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 77 (HB 0144) Insurance – Uninsured or Enhanced Underinsured Motorist Coverage - Property Damage

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0144

This bill clarifies certain components in the uninsured motorist coverage or enhanced underinsured motorist coverage in a motor vehicle insurance policy.  The bill specifies that a policy must provide for recovery by insured from the owner or operator of an uninsured motor vehicle because of property damage, and provide minimum security required for bodily injury and property damage. 

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 85 (HB 0157) Vehicle Laws – Business or Occupational Licenses – Administrative Penalties

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0157

This Administration bill authorizes the Motor Vehicle Administration to immediately suspend a business or occupational license on an emergency basis if the MVA determines that the licensee is violating the used vehicle safety inspection requirements and there is immediate, substantial danger to the public if the license is continued pending a hearing.  The bill specifies that the MVA must grant a hearing within seven days of a request by the suspended licensee, and immediately render a decision to continue the suspension, revoke the license, or reinstate the license.

Effective Date – October 1, 2020


Chapter 90 (HB 0164) Harford County – Motorcycles – Sunday Sales

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0164

This bill authorizes a vehicle dealer in Harford County to sell, barter, deliver, give away, show, or offer for sale a motorcycle or certificate of title for a motorcycle on Sundays.  Existing county prohibitions against Sunday sales for other vehicles are otherwise unchanged.

Effective Date – June 1, 2020


Chapter 118 (HB 0232) Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council –Reporting, Membership, and Sunset Extension

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0232

This amends the membership requirements for the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council, extends the termination date for the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council to June 30, 2026, establishes new interim and final reporting deadlines, and alters membership of the council.

Effective Date – June 1, 2020


Chapter 270 (HB 0600) Baltimore County – Motorcycles – Sunday Sales

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0600

This bill authorizes a vehicle dealer in Baltimore County to sell, barter, deliver, give away, show, or offer for sale a motorcycle or certificate of title for a motorcycle on Sundays.  The existing prohibition against Sunday sales for other motor vehicles in the county is otherwise unchanged.

Effective Date June 1, 2020

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