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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
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*hb0253*
HOUSE BILL 253
R7 6lr0164
(PRE–FILED) CF SB 149
By: Chair, Environment and Transportation Committee (By Request –
Departmental – Transportation)
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 26, 2026
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Vehicle Laws – Heavy Weight Port Corridor Permits – Regulations 2
FOR the purpose of altering the requirements for regulations related to the issuance of a 3
heavy weight port corridor permit; and generally relating to heavy weight port 4
corridor permits. 5
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 6
Article – Transportation 7
Section 24–113.3 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 10
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 11
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 12
Article – Transportation 13
24–113.3. 14
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the Secretary, by regulation, 15
may determine that a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting manifested 16
international freight as the only load of the vehicle or combination of vehicles in a sealed, 17
2 HOUSE BILL 253
seagoing container on a semitrailer is transporting an indivisible load, provided that the 1
vehicle or combination of vehicles is issued a permit under this section and: 2
(1) Is carrying not more than 100,000 pounds gross maximum vehicle 3
weight; 4
(2) Has the minimum number of axles required by the permit; 5
(3) Does not exceed the maximum axle weight or axle spacing 6
requirements, as established by regulation or specified on the permit; 7
(4) Is traveling only during the hours as established by regulation or 8
specified on the permit; 9
(5) Adheres to a unique maximum speed limit specified on the permit; and 10
(6) Is traveling only on State or county highways that are[: 11
(i) On] ON the specific route established by regulation and specified 12
IDENTIFIED on the permit between the Seagirt Marine Terminal and a destination 13
authorized by the Secretary, with no deviation from the specific route[; and 14
(ii) Specifically designated by the Secretary as being part of a “heavy 15
weight port corridor”]. 16
(b) (1) The Secretary shall adopt regulations, consistent with this section, for 17
the issuance of permits for vehicles described under subsection (a) of this section. 18
(2) The regulations adopted under this subsection: 19
(i) May set permit fees; [and] 20
(ii) Shall establish axle and gross weight requirements , routes, and 21
other necessary criteria; AND 22
(III) SHALL ESTABLISH THE D ESTINATIONS TO WHICH A 23
VEHICLE OR COMBINATION OF VEHICLES MAY TRAVEL FROM THE SEAGIRT MARINE 24
TERMINAL UNDER A PERMIT. 25
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 26
1, 2026. 27