Vehicle Laws - Out-of-State Vehicles - Improper Registration
HB 212 creates a new process for new Maryland residents driving vehicles registered in another state. It requires these residents to either properly register their vehicle with Maryland within 60 days of moving or provide proof the vehicle isn't required to be registered in Maryland (like proof of ownership in another state). If they fail to comply within 60 days, a $7 daily civil fine begins until resolved, and after 120 days, local prosecutors may pursue civil action to immobilize the vehicle. The bill directly affects new Maryland residents who drive out-of-state registered vehicles, replacing automatic penalties with a warning and compliance period.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Sep 4, 2025
Last action Mar 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
First - Vehicle Laws - Out-of-State Vehicles - Improper Registration
→
Third - Vehicle Laws - Out-of-State Vehicles - Improper Registration
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4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was significantly rewritten to expand its scope from merely regulating improperly registered out-of-state vehicles to a comprehensive enforcement tool. It now authorizes the Motor Vehicle Administration to seize registration cards and plates from residents who fail to register their vehicles within 60 days, establishes a policy for reciprocal agreements with other states for automated enforcement, and adds strict prohibitions against title service agents misrepresenting facts.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a narrow focus on improper registration to include reciprocal enforcement agreements with other jurisdictions and new restrictions on title service agents.
ENFORCEMENT
Added authority for the Motor Vehicle Administration to take possession of registration cards and plates from residents who have lived in the state for more than 60 days but have not registered their vehicles.
REQUIREMENT
Established a new policy allowing the state to enter reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions for enforcing violations recorded by traffic monitoring systems.
Added new restrictions prohibiting title service agents from making material misrepresentations, misrepresenting facts to obtain licenses, or failing to remit fees to the state.
TECHNICAL
Updated the bill title and repealed sections to reflect the expanded scope and new statutory sections.
Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026
How they voted
115–20
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 142
Feb 27, 2026
D
Democratic103
95% Yea
R
Republican39
51% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
9
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Mar 12, 2026
Committee
Referred Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Feb 27, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (115-20-7)
house of delegates
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
Sep 4, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
lower
12 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Dana Stein
DDemocratic
P
Darrell Odom
DDemocratic
P
David Fraser-Hidalgo
DDemocratic
P
Dylan Behler
DDemocratic
P
Jackie Addison
DDemocratic
P
Linda Foley
DDemocratic
P
Marvin Holmes
DDemocratic
P
Michele Guyton
DDemocratic
P
Natalie Ziegler
DDemocratic
P
Nick Allen
DDemocratic
P
Regina Boyce
DDemocratic
P
Robbyn Lewis
DDemocratic
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