Video Tolls - Class G (Trailer) Vehicles - Liability

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb0246*

HOUSE BILL 246
R4, R5 6lr0154
(PRE–FILED) CF 6lr0153
By: Chair, Environment and Transportation Committee (By Request –
Departmental – Transportation) and Delegate Odom
Requested: September 29, 2025
Introduced and read first time: January 14, 2026
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: February 22, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Video Tolls – Class G (Trailer) Vehicles – Liability 2

FOR the purpose of establishing that the registered owner of a Class G (trailer) vehicle is 3
liable under certain circumstances to the Maryland Transportation Authority for 4
payment of a video toll assessed at the time of passage through a toll collection 5
facility, subject to certain standards and procedures for the transfer of liability; and 6
generally relating to liability for the payment of video tolls. 7

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
Article – Transportation 9
Section 13–927(a)(1) 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 12

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Transportation 14
Section 21–1414 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 17
(As enacted by Chapters 448 and 460 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2022) 18

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 19
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 20
2 HOUSE BILL 246

Article – Transportation 1

13–927. 2

(a) (1) When registered with the Administration, every trailer and semitrailer 3
is a Class G (trailer) vehicle. 4

21–1414. 5

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 6

(2) “Authority” means the Maryland Transportation Authority 7

(3) “Electronic toll collection” means a system in a toll collection facility 8
that is capable of collecting information from a motor vehicle OR CLASS G (TRAILER) 9
VEHICLE for use in charging tolls. 10

(4) “Notice of toll due” or “notice” means an administrative notice of a video 11
toll transaction. 12

(5) “Person alleged to be liable” means: 13

(i) The registered owner of a motor vehicle OR CLASS G (TRAILER) 14
VEHICLE involved in a video toll transaction; or 15

(ii) A person to whom a registered owner of a motor vehicle OR 16
CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE has transferred liability for a video toll transaction in 17
accordance with this section and the regulations of the Authority. 18

(6) “Recorded image” means an image of a motor vehicle OR CLASS G 19
(TRAILER) VEHICLE passing through a toll collection facility recorded by a video 20
monitoring system: 21

(i) On: 22

1. One or more photographs, micrographs, or electronic 23
images; 24

2. Videotape; or 25

3. Any other medium; and 26

(ii) Showing either the front or rear of the motor vehicle OR CLASS 27
G (TRAILER) VEHICLE on at least one image or portion of tape and clearly identifying the 28
HOUSE BILL 246 3

[license] REGISTRATION plate number and state of the motor vehicle OR CLASS G 1
(TRAILER) VEHICLE. 2

(7) “Registered owner” means, with respect to a motor vehicle OR CLASS 3
G (TRAILER) VEHICLE, the person or persons designated as the registered owner in the 4
records of the government agency that is responsible for motor vehicle OR CLASS G 5
(TRAILER) VEHICLE registration. 6

(8) “Toll collection facility” means any point on an Authority highway 7
where a toll is incurred and is required to be paid. 8

(9) “Toll violation” means the failure to pay a video toll within the time 9
prescribed by the Authority in a notice of toll due. 10

(10) “Video monitoring system” means a device installed to work in 11
conjunction with a toll collection facility that produces a recorded image when a video toll 12
transaction occurs. 13

(11) “Video toll” means the amount assessed by the Authority when a video 14
toll transaction occurs. 15

(12) “Video toll transaction” means any transaction in which a motor vehicle 16
OR CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE does not or did not pay a toll at the time of passage 17
through a toll collection facility with a video monitoring system. 18

(b) (1) Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, the registered owner 19
of a motor vehicle OR, IF THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE CANNOT 20
BE DETERMINED , CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE shall be liable to the Authority for 21
payment of a video toll as provided for in the regulations of the Authority. 22

(2) The Authority shall send the registered owner of a motor vehicle OR 23
CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE that has incurred a video toll a notice of toll due. 24

(3) Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, the person alleged 25
to be liable who receives a notice of toll due shall have at least 30 days to pay the video toll. 26

(4) To mail the notice of toll due, the Authority shall use: 27

(i) The current mailing address on file with the Administration; or 28

(ii) If a mailing address is unavailable, the current residential 29
address on file with the Administration. 30

(c) (1) Failure of the person alleged to be liable to pay the video toll under a 31
notice of toll due by the date stated on the notice shall constitute a toll violation subject to 32
4 HOUSE BILL 246

a civil citation and a civil penalty, which shall be assessed 15 days after the toll violation 1
occurs, as provided for in the regulations of the Authority. 2

(2) A registered owner of a motor vehicle [shall] OR CLASS G (TRAILER) 3
VEHICLE MAY not be liable for a civil penalty imposed under this section if the operator of 4
the motor vehicle OR MOTOR VEHICLE TOWING THE CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE has 5
been convicted of failure or refusal t o pay a toll under § 21 –1413 of this subtitle for the 6
same violation. 7

(d) (1) (i) The Authority or its duly authorized agent shall send a citation 8
via first–class mail, no later than 60 days after the toll violation, to the person alleged to 9
be liable under this section. 10

(ii) To mail the citation, the Authority or its duly authorized agent 11
shall use: 12

1. The current mailing address on file with the 13
Administration; or 14

2. If a mailing address is unavailable, the current residential 15
address on file with the Administration. 16

(2) Personal service of the citation on the person alleged to be liable shall 17
not be required, and a record of mailing kept in the ordinary course of business shall be 18
admissible evidence of the mailing of the notice of toll due and citation. 19

(3) A citation shall contain: 20

(i) The name and address of the person alleged to be liable under 21
this section; 22

(ii) The [license] REGISTRATION plate number and state of 23
registration of the motor vehicle OR CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE involved in the video 24
toll transaction; 25

(iii) The location where the video toll transaction took place; 26

(iv) The date and time of the video toll transaction; 27

(v) The amount of the video toll and the date it was due as stated on 28
the notice of toll due; 29

(vi) A copy of the recorded image; 30

(vii) A statement that the video toll was not paid before the civil 31
penalty was assessed; 32
HOUSE BILL 246 5

(viii) The amount of the civil penalty; and 1

(ix) The date by which the video toll and civil penalty must be paid. 2

(4) A citation shall also include: 3

(i) Information advising the person alleged to be liable under this 4
section of the manner and the time in which liability alleged in the citation may be 5
contested; 6

(ii) The statutory defenses described in subsection (g) of this section 7
that were originally included in the notice of toll due; and 8

(iii) A warning that failure to pay the video toll and civil penalty, to 9
contest liability in the manner and time prescribed, or to appear at a trial requested is an 10
admission of liability and a waiver of available defenses and may result in the refusal or 11
suspension of the motor vehicle OR CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE registration and 12
referral for collection. 13

(5) A person alleged to be liable receiving the citation for a toll violation 14
under this section may: 15

(i) Pay the video toll and the civil penalty directly to the Authority; 16

(ii) Request to pay the video toll and civil penalty through the 17
installment plan under § 21–1417 of this subtitle; or 18

(iii) Elect to stand trial for the alleged violation. 19

(6) (i) If the person alleged to be liable under this section fails to elect 20
to stand trial or to appear at trial after having elected to stand trial, fails to pay the 21
prescribed video toll an d civil penalty within 30 days after mailing of the citation or in 22
accordance with an installment payment plan approved by the Authority, or is adjudicated 23
to be liable after trial, the Authority or its duly authorized agent may: 24

1. Collect the video toll and the civil penalty by any means of 25
collection as provided by law; and 26

2. Notify the Administration of the failure to pay the video 27
toll and civil penalty in accordance with subsection (i) of this section. 28

(ii) No additional hearing or proc eeding is required before the 29
Administration takes action with respect to the motor vehicle OR CLASS G (TRAILER) 30
VEHICLE of the registered owner under subsection (i) of this section. 31

6 HOUSE BILL 246

(e) (1) A certificate alleging that a toll violation occurred and that the video 1
toll payment was not received before the civil penalty was assessed, sworn to or affirmed 2
by a duly authorized agent of the Authority, based upon inspection of a recorded image and 3
electronic toll collection records produced by an electronic toll collection video monitoring 4
system shall be evidence of the facts contained therein and shall be admissible in any 5
proceeding alleging a violation under this section without the presence or testimony of the 6
duly authorized agent who performed the requirements under this section. 7

(2) The citation, including the certificate, shall constitute prima facie 8
evidence of liability for the toll violation and civil penalty. 9

(f) Adjudication of liability under this section: 10

(1) Shall be based upon a preponderance of evidence; 11

(2) May not be deemed a conviction of a registered owner of a motor vehicle 12
OR CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE under the [Motor Vehicle Code] MARYLAND VEHICLE 13
LAW; 14

(3) May not be made part of the registered owner’s motor vehicle operating 15
record; and 16

(4) May not be considered in the provision of motor vehicle insurance 17
coverage. 18

(g) (1) If, at the time of a video toll transaction, a motor vehicle OR CLASS G 19
(TRAILER) VEHICLE is operated by a person other than the registered owner without the 20
express or implied consent of the registered owner, and if the registered owner by the date 21
stated on the notice of toll due provides the Authority or its duly authorized agent with a 22
notarized admission by the person accepting liability which shall include that person’s 23
name, address, and driver’s license identification number, then the person accepting 24
liability shall be liable under this section and shall be sent a notice of toll due. 25

(2) If the registered owner is a lessor of motor vehicl es OR CLASS G 26
(TRAILER) VEHICLES, and at the time of the video toll transaction the motor vehicle OR 27
CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE involved was in the possession of a lessee, and the lessor 28
by the date stated on the notice of toll due provides the Authority or its duly authorized 29
agent with a copy of the lease agreement or other documentation acceptable to the 30
Authority identifying the lessee, including the person’s name, address, and driver’s license 31
identification number or federal employer identification num ber, then the lessee shall be 32
liable under this section and shall be sent a notice of toll due. 33

(3) If the motor vehicle OR CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE involved in a 34
video toll transaction is operated using a dealer or transporter registration plate, and at 35
the time of the video toll transaction the motor vehicle OR CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE 36
was under the custody and control of a person other than the owner of the dealer or 37
HOUSE BILL 246 7

transporter registration plate, and if the owner of the dealer or transporter regis tration 1
plate by the date stated on the notice of toll due provides to the Authority or its duly 2
authorized agent a copy of the contractual agreement or other documentation acceptable to 3
the Authority identifying the person, including the person’s name, ad dress, and driver’s 4
license identification number, who had custody and control over the motor vehicle OR 5
CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE at the time of the video toll transaction, then that person 6
and not the owner of the dealer or transporter registration plate shall be liable under this 7
section and shall be sent a notice of toll due. 8

(4) IF A CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A VIDEO TOLL 9
TRANSACTION WAS BEING TOWED BY A MOTOR VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE VIDEO 10
TOLL TRANSACTION, AND IF THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE CLASS G (TRAILER) 11
VEHICLE BY THE DATE STATED ON THE NOTICE OF TOLL DUE PROVIDES TO THE 12
AUTHORITY OR ITS DULY AUTHORIZED AGENT A C OPY OF THE CONTRACTU AL 13
AGREEMENT OR OTHER D OCUMENTATION ACCEPTA BLE TO THE AUTHORITY 14
IDENTIFYING THE PERS ON OPERATING TH E TOW VEHICLE , INCLUDING THE 15
PERSON’S NAME, ADDRESS, AND DRIVER’S LICENSE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WHO 16
HAD CUSTODY AND CONTROL OVER THE CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE AT THE TIME 17
OF THE VIDEO TOLL TR ANSACTION, THEN THAT PERSON AND NOT THE OWNER OF 18
THE CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE SHALL BE LIA BLE UNDER THIS SECTI ON AND 19
SHALL BE SENT A NOTICE OF TOLL DUE. 20

(5) If a motor vehicle, CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE, or registration plate 21
[number] OF A MOTOR VEHICLE OR CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE is reported to a law 22
enforcement agency as stolen at the time of the video toll transaction, and the registered 23
owner by the date stated on the notice of toll due provides to the Authority or its duly 24
authorized agent a copy of the police report substantiating that the motor vehicle , CLASS 25
G (TRAILER) VEHICLE, OR REGISTRATION PLATE OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE OR CLASS 26
G (TRAILER) VEHICLE was stolen at the time of the video toll transaction, then the 27
registered owner of the motor vehicle OR CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE is not liable under 28
this section. 29

(h) (1) The Authority may refer a delinquent account for unpaid video tolls and 30
associated civil penalties to the Central Collection Unit for collection. 31

(2) The Authority may recall a delinquent account from the Central 32
Collection Unit if: 33

(i) The delinquent account exceeds $300 in unpaid video tolls and 34
associated civil penalties; 35

(ii) The video tolls in question were assessed within a 30–day period; 36
or 37

8 HOUSE BILL 246

(iii) Mitigating factors exist with respect to the assessment of the 1
unpaid video tolls and associated civil penalties, as determined by the Authority. 2

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, until the Authority refers 3
the debt to the Central Collection Unit or after the Authority has recalled a delinquent 4
account from the Central Collection Unit, the Authority: 5

(i) May waive any portion of the video toll due or civil penalty 6
assessed under this section; and 7

(ii) Shall: 8

1. Waive the civil penalty associated with a video toll on 9
payment of the video toll in accordance with the Authority’s Customer Assistance Plan as 10
approved on February 24, 2022; and 11

2. Reimburse any civil penalty paid in error under the Plan. 12

(i) (1) The Administration shall refuse or suspend the registration of a motor 13
vehicle OR CLASS G (TRAILER) VEHICLE that incurs a toll violation under this section if: 14

(i) The [Maryland Transportation ] Authority notifies the 15
Administration that a registered owner of the motor vehicle OR CLASS G (TRAILER) 16
VEHICLE has been served with a citation in accordance with this section and has failed to: 17

1. Pay the video toll and the civil penalty for the toll violation 18
by the date specified in the citation; [and] OR 19

2. Contest liability for the toll violation by the date identified 20
and in the manner specified in the citation; or 21

(ii) The [Maryland Transportation] Authority or the District Court 22
notifies the Administration that a person who elected to contest liability for a toll violation 23
under this section [has failed to]: 24

1. [Appear] HAS FAILED TO APPEAR for trial or has been 25
determined to be guilty of the toll violation; and 26

2. [Pay] HAS FAILED TO PAY the video toll and civil penalty. 27

(2) In conjunction with the [Maryland Transportation ] Authority, the 28
Administration may adopt regulations and develop procedures to carry out the refusal or 29
suspension of a registration under this subsection. 30

(3) The procedures in this subsection are in addition to any other penalty 31
provided by law for a toll violation under this section. 32
HOUSE BILL 246 9

(4) This subsection may be applied to enforce a reciprocal agreement 1
entered into by the State and another jurisdiction in accordance with § 21 –1415 of this 2
subtitle. 3

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 4
January 1, 2027. 5

Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.