HB 0201 Vehicle Laws - Special Registration Plates and Parking Placards for Individuals With Disabilities - Licensed Physical Therapists
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_76_hb0201T.pdf
This bill authorizes licensed physical therapists to certify certain medical conditions and disabilities for applicants for disability registration plates or placards.
Effective October 1, 2015
HB 0203 Vehicle Laws - Title Fees - Rental Vehicles
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_78_hb0203E.pdf
This bill permanently sets the title fee for rental vehicles at $50.
Effective June 1, 2015
HB 0233 Motor Vehicles - Calculation of Length - Loading Devices
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_80_hb0233T.pdf
This bill clarifies that the calculation of the total length of a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles, for purposes of maximum length requirements, does not include nonproperty carrying devices or their components that do not extend more than 24 inches beyond the rear of the vehicle and which are needed for loading or unloading cargo.
Effective October 1, 2015
HB 0313 / SB 0298 Vehicle Laws – Dealers – Financing or Leasing Agreements
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_157_hb0313E.pdf
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_156_sb0298E.pdf
This bill establishes certain consumer protections related to vehicle sales transactions where dealer-arranged financing or leasing has not been secured at the time of delivery of the vehicle to the prospective purchaser. The bill requires a dealer, when a vehicle is delivered to a prospective purchaser before financing terms are approved, to provide the prospective purchaser with written notice that the financing terms are not final and are subject to approval by a third-party financial institution. If the financing terms are not approved, the dealer must notify the prospective purchaser within 4 days that the terms were not approved and the prospective purchaser must return the vehicle to the dealer within 2 days of receiving the notice. If the financing terms are not approved, either the dealer or the prospective purchaser may cancel the deal and the dealer must return any vehicle traded-in and all monies paid to the dealer by the prospective purchaser. If the prospective purchaser fails to return the vehicle to the dealer after receiving notice that the financing terms were not approved, the dealer may repossess the vehicle in accordance with Maryland law. Finally, the bill requires the dealer to maintain insurance on the vehicle until the financing terms are approved.
Effective October 1, 2015
HB 0493 Motor Vehicles - Prohibition Against Unattended Motor Vehicle – Exceptions
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_252_hb0493T.pdf
This bill permits a vehicle not in motion to operate unattended for up to five minutes if the vehicle either has had the engine started using a remote keyless ignition system or is locked and on private property not open to the public.
Effective October 1, 2015
HB 0510 Montgomery County - Education - School Bus - Doors That Lock MC 27-15
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_427_hb0510T.pdf
This bill authorizes the Montgomery County Board of Education to utilize a school bus with locking doors to transport students if the locking system prevents operation of the school bus when any bus exit is locked.
Effective October 1, 2015
HB 0524 Vehicle Laws - Single Registration Plate - Class L (Historic) Vehicles and Class N (Street Rod) Vehicles
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_257_hb0524E.pdf
This bill requires the Motor Vehicle Administration to issue only one registration plate for Class L (historic) vehicles and Class N (street rod) vehicles that are at least 50 years old.
Effective October 1, 2015
HB 0812 Vehicle Laws - All-Terrain Vehicles - Access to Farms
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_281_hb0812T.pdf
This bill permits a local authority to authorize a person to cross a highway, at a right angle, on an all-terrain vehicle to access a farm or to move from one part of a farm to another part of the same farm.
Effective June 1, 2015
HB 1229 Commercial Motor Vehicles - Denial, Cancellation, Suspension, or Revocation of Registration
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_304_hb1229T.pdf
This bill gives the MVA the authority to deny, cancel, suspend or revoke a commercial motor vehicle registration if the motor carrier responsible for the safety of the vehicle is operating under an out-of-service (OOS) order. The bill includes the authority to deny, cancel, suspend or revoke the commercial motor vehicle registrations of motor carriers who are attempting to avoid various enforcement sanctions by obtaining a new Department of Transportation (DOT) number under a different name.
Effective October 1, 2015
HB 0846 Motor Vehicle Administration - Commercial Driver's License - Program for Veterans and Service Members (Troops to Trucks)
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_283_hb0846T.pdf
This bill requires the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to waive the commercial drivers’ skills test for veterans and members of the military who meet certain eligibility criteria established by the Administration. This bill also requires the MVA to coordinate and consult with certain appropriate parties to explore the feasibility of providing commercial driver education courses on military bases.
Effective October 1, 2015
HB 0430 Drunk Driving – Accidents Resulting in Death – Sanctions for Per Se Offenses
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_247_hb0430T.pdf
This bill alters the administrative penalties imposed for breath or blood test results showing an alcohol concentration of .08 or greater, where the driver tested was involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of another person. For a test result of .08 or higher, the driver’s license shall be suspended for 6 months for a first offense and 1 year for a second or subsequent offense. For a test result of .15 or higher, the driver’s license shall be suspended for 1 year for a first offense and revoked for a second or subsequent offense.
Effective October 1, 2015
HB 0235 Vehicle Laws - Manufacturers and Distributors - Sale of Electric or Nonfossil-Fuel Burning Vehicles
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_231_hb0235E.pdf
This bill authorizes a manufacturer or distributor to obtain no more than four licenses as a vehicle dealer if the manufacturer or distributor deals only in electric or nonfossil-fuel burning vehicles, no dealer in the State holds a franchise from the manufacturer or distributor, and the manufacturer or distributor does not have a controlling-interest relationship with any other manufacturer or distributor licensed as a dealer under the bill.
Effective October 1, 2015
HB 0917 Motor Vehicles - Checkpoints - Prohibition on Targeting Motorcycles
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_287_hb0917T.pdf
This bill prohibits a police officer at a motor vehicle checkpoint from targeting only motorcycles for inspection or evaluation, except at a checkpoint established as part of a police search or investigation.
Effective October 1, 2015
SB 0044 Vehicle Laws - Maximum Speed Limits on Highways
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_320_sb0044T.pdf
This bill raises the maximum speed limit that may be established on an interstate highway or expressway from 65 to 70 miles per hour.
Effective October 1, 2015
SB 0086 Public Safety - Hit and Run Suspects - Yellow Alert Program
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_323_sb0086T.pdf
This bill requires the Department of State Police to establish a Yellow Alert Program to provide a system for rapid dissemination of information to assist in locating an individual suspected of hit and run in an accident that resulted in serious bodily injury or death of another.
Effective October 1, 2015
SB 0371 State Highway Administration - Bicycle and Pedestrian Priority Areas
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_28_sb0371T.pdf
This bill requires the State Highway Administration, if there is a State highway within the limits of an area that a local government has designated as a bicycle and pedestrian priority area, to make a determination on whether the Administration should also designate the area as a bicycle and pedestrian priority area, within one year after notification by the local government of such designation.
Effective October 1, 2015
SB 0410 Baltimore City - Vehicle Laws - Traffic Safety
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_168_sb0410T.pdf
This bill authorizes the City of Baltimore to impose weight and speed restrictions on vehicles passing over bridges or culverts within the City limits without approval from the State Highway Administration, if the City submits to the Administration a statement that a structural analysis has shown the necessity for the particular restrictions.
Effective October 1, 2015
SB 0415 State Donor Registry – Information and Methods of Registration - Clerks of Circuit Courts, Registers of Wills, and Motor Vehicle Administration (Enhancing Organ Donation Rates Act)
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_348_sb0415T.pdf
This bill requires the MVA to offer customers the choice of whether or not to have a donor designation (heart) indicator on their license if they decide to become a donor during the driver licensing and identification card application processes. If a customer wishes only to change their organ donation status or heart indicator on the license, the MVA will provide a corrected product without charge to the customer.
Effective October 1, 2015
SB 0553 Motor Clubs - Scope of Law – Fees
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_39_sb0553T.pdf
This bill alters the definition of “motor club service” to include the replacement of a lost, stolen, or inoperable motor vehicle key or key fob. The bill exempts motor vehicle manufacturers and distributors and their wholly owned subsidiaries who sell, furnish, or procure emergency road service, towing service, or other service as part of a mechanical repair contract from regulation as a motor club. The bill also exempts a licensed vehicle dealer or other person who sells, furnishes, or procures emergency road service, towing service, or other service as part of a mechanical repair contract from regulation as a motor club, if the service provider maintains adequate insurance reserves and the mechanical repair contract is offered in compliance with the Transportation Code. The bill requires a motor club to file with the Insurance Commissioner the fees to be charged to members of the club with the initial motor club license application, as well as with each renewal.
Effective October 1, 2015
SB 0714 Maryland Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council - Reporting and Sunset Extension
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_378_sb0714T.pdf
This bill extends the termination date for the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council (EVIC) from June 30, 2015 to June 30, 2020, and establishes new interim and final reporting deadlines for the Council.
Effective June 1, 2015
SB 0910 Motor Vehicle Insurance - Entry-Level Commercial Truck Driver's License Holders – Study
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/chapters_noln/Ch_208_sb0910T.pdf
This bill requires the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (DLLR) to study the availability, accessibility, and affordability of commercial motor vehicle insurance for motor carriers who want to employ entry-level commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders. Following its study, DLLR will make recommendations to the General Assembly on how to make commercial motor vehicle insurance for motor carriers employing entry-level CDL holders more available, accessible, and affordable.
Effective June 1, 2015
