HB 1375 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Vehicle Equipment - Portable Variable Messaging Signs - Authorization

HB 1375 allows tow trucks in Maryland to display portable digital message signs while at the scene of accidents or disabled vehicles. The bill requires these signs to follow state traffic control device standards and only show messages approved by the State Highway Administration. This change specifically applies to tow truck operations and does not affect other vehicle types. The law will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Vehicle Equipment - Portable Variable Messaging Signs - Authorization → Third - Vehicle Equipment - Portable Variable Messaging Signs - Authorization · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was moved from first reading to third reading and adopted by the House, with amendments that expanded the types of incidents where tow trucks can display portable variable messaging signs. The changes also added formatting instructions and signatures for approval.

Scope change

The bill's scope was slightly expanded to include 'a crash' in addition to 'an accident' as a valid scenario for displaying portable variable messaging signs.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligible scenarios for displaying portable variable messaging signs from 'accident or a disabled vehicle' to 'accident a crash or a disabled vehicle'

TECHNICAL

Added House action status showing the bill was adopted and read second time on March 6, 2025

Added committee report indicating favorable action with amendments

Added additional sponsors to the bill (Delegates Addison, Foley, Healey, and Terrasa)

Added signature lines for Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate

Removed original bill title page formatting and replaced with chapter placeholder

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 8, 2025

How they voted

46–0

Passed

Total votes 46

Mar 24, 2025

D Democratic33

33 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 13, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 459

executive

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 24, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (46-0)

senate

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 8, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (136-0-3)

house of delegates

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

First Reading Environment and Transportation

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors