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EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0869*
HOUSE BILL 869
R4 6lr3315
CF SB 275
By: Delegates Holmes, Boafo, Taylor, and Turner
Introduced and read first time: February 4, 2026
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Vehicle Laws – Electric Vehicle Dealer Licenses – City of Bowie 2
FOR the purpose of increasing the number of dealer licenses available for certain 3
manufacturers or distributors that deal only in electric or nonfossil –fuel burning 4
vehicles; providing that the additional license authorized under this Act may be 5
issued onl y for the operation of a dealership in the City of Bowie; and generally 6
relating to dealer licenses for the sale of electric and nonfossil–fuel burning vehicles 7
and the City of Bowie. 8
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 9
Article – Transportation 10
Section 15–305(b) and (f) 11
Annotated Code of Maryland 12
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 13
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 14
Article – Transportation 15
Section 15–305(e)(2) 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 18
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 19
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 20
Article – Transportation 21
15–305. 22
(b) A license to deal in new vehicles may be issued only for a dealer in new vehicles 23
who holds a franchise from: 24
2 HOUSE BILL 869
(1) The manufacturer of the vehicles; or 1
(2) A distributor who is authorized by the manufacturer or the 2
manufacturer’s authorized importer of the vehicles. 3
(e) (2) (i) Notwithstanding subsections (b) and (f) of this section and 4
subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a manufacturer or distributor may be 5
licensed as a dealer if: 6
1. The manufacturer or distributor deals only in electric or 7
nonfossil–fuel burning vehicles; 8
2. No dealer in the State holds a franchise from the 9
manufacturer or distributor; 10
3. The manufacturer or distributor, or a subsidiary, an 11
affiliate, or a controlled entity of the manufacturer or distributor, does not hold a controlling 12
interest in another manufacturer or distributor, or a subsidiary, an affiliate, or a controlled 13
entity of the other manufacturer or distributor, that is licensed as a dealer under this 14
paragraph; and 15
4. No other manufacturer or distributor, or subsidiary, 16
affiliate, or controlled entity of the other manufacturer or distributor, that is licensed as a 17
dealer under this paragraph, holds a controlling interest in the manufacturer or distributor, 18
or a subsidiary, an affiliate, or a controlled entity of the manufacturer or distributor. 19
(ii) 1. [No] SUBJECT TO SUBSUBPARAGR APH 2 OF THIS 20
SUBPARAGRAPH, NOT more than [four] FIVE licenses may be issued under this 21
paragraph. 22
2. ONE LICENSE UNDER THI S PARAGRAPH MAY BE 23
ISSUED ONLY FOR THE OPERATION OF A DEALERSHIP IN THE CITY OF BOWIE. 24
(iii) The Adminis tration shall adopt regulations to implement this 25
paragraph. 26
(f) A manufacturer or distributor, or a person who is acting for a partnership or 27
corporation that is owned or controlled by or under common control with a manufacturer 28
or distributor, may not sell a new vehicle to a retail buyer. 29
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 30
October 1, 2026. 31