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.
HB 253 updates Maryland's rules for heavy-weight truck permits used by carriers transporting sealed international freight containers. It requires vehicles to stay under 100,000 pounds, follow specific routes between Seagirt Marine Terminal and authorized destinations, travel only during permitted hours, and adhere to speed limits set on the permit. The bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish permit fees, axle weight limits, designated "heavy weight port corridor" routes, and approved destinations. This primarily affects trucking companies moving international cargo through the Seagirt Marine Terminal. The changes would take effect on June 1, 2026.
SB 395 clarifies insurance requirements for peer-to-peer car sharing programs (like Turo) in Maryland. It makes the program's liability insurance primary coverage for drivers using shared vehicles, rather than secondary, and prevents insurers from canceling a vehicle owner's personal insurance solely because the car is shared. The bill also stops the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund from covering drivers for non-replacement vehicles used in sharing programs and allows programs to charge drivers for tolls or fines incurred during trips. These changes aim to standardize liability rules and reduce insurance complications for both sharing platforms and users.
This bill authorizes the installation and use of speed monitoring systems on U.S. Route 301 in Queen Anne's County, Maryland, specifically at or between the intersections of Maryland Route 405 and Maryland Route 19. The legislation defines these systems as devices that capture images of vehicles traveling at least 12 miles per hour over the posted speed limit and requires local government approval through a public hearing before deployment. It expands existing state law that currently allows similar systems on Maryland Route 200 and certain high-risk roads in Montgomery County to include this specific stretch of Route 301. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and applies only to violations recorded by systems meeting the specified placement and operational requirements.
HB 1614 authorizes the Maryland Transportation Authority Police to use lane direction control signal monitoring systems on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to enforce violations of red lane direction signals. It requires District Courts to remit civil penalties collected from these violations directly to the Maryland Transportation Authority instead of the state. The bill amends existing traffic law sections to clarify that penalties from these automated enforcement systems must be paid to the Authority and that recorded images from the systems are admissible as evidence without authentication. This affects drivers using the Chesapeake Bay Bridge who enter lanes with red signals, enabling automated enforcement of lane direction rules.
HB 210 requires Maryland counties and municipalities with automated traffic enforcement programs (like speed cameras or red-light cameras) to submit quarterly reports to the Vision Zero coordinator. These reports must include specific details for each citation issued to out-of-state vehicles, such as license plate numbers, payment status, and whether the citation is past due. The bill, set to take effect October 1, 2026, creates a standardized reporting process to track enforcement against non-resident drivers without changing traffic laws or enforcement practices.
SB 283 authorizes Maryland to borrow $1.824 billion through a new 2026 capital bond loan, updating previous bond programs from 2015-2025. The funds will finance state construction, renovations, equipment, and grants to local governments for infrastructure projects, requiring matching local funds and strict spending deadlines. It modifies prior bond law provisions to clarify eligible uses, extend project timelines, and adjust budget allocations for ongoing capital projects. This bill primarily affects state agencies, local governments receiving grants, and public infrastructure projects across Maryland.
HB 1370 authorizes the use of stop sign monitoring systems (camera systems that capture vehicles failing to stop completely at stop signs) on State highways within the Town of Rising Sun. It requires approval from the Cecil County Council for specific locations and mandates public notice through local government websites and newspapers. The bill modifies existing traffic law to clarify that these systems can only be deployed on State highways in Rising Sun with local council authorization, not in other areas. It does not create new penalties but formalizes the process for using these systems in the Town of Rising Sun. This directly affects drivers in Rising Sun who may receive citations for stop-sign violations captured by the systems.
HB 1381 prohibits drivers from stopping, standing, or parking vehicles in bike lanes or bicycle paths in Maryland, directly affecting all drivers using public roads. The bill adds a new provision (Section 21-1003(gg)) to Maryland law, allowing exceptions for emergency vehicles, transit buses, vehicles assisting people with disabilities, disabled vehicles, and delivery vehicles under specific conditions (e.g., 30-minute limit with hazard lights or a local permit). It amends existing transportation code sections to clarify these restrictions and exceptions. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and aims to improve safety for cyclists by keeping bike lanes clear of parked vehicles.
HB 1567, the "Pass Pedestrians Safely Act," requires bicycle, motor scooter, and electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD) operators to maintain at least 3 feet of distance when passing pedestrians or vehicles if practicable, and to give an audible warning (like a bell or horn) before passing pedestrians. It directly affects riders of these devices in Maryland by adding specific safety obligations to existing traffic laws. Violations are treated as secondary offenses (only enforceable if another traffic violation is suspected) and carry a $25 civil penalty. The bill amends Maryland’s vehicle code to prioritize pedestrian safety during overtaking maneuvers.
