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*sb0111*
SENATE BILL 111
R4 (6lr0776)
ENROLLED BILL
— Judicial Proceedings/Environment and Transportation —
Introduced by Senator McCray
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at __ ______________________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
President.
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Vehicle Laws – Out–of–State Vehicles – Improper Registration 2
FOR the purpose of authorizing the Motor Vehicle Administration and agents and 3
employees of State agencies and political subdivisions to take possession of certain 4
vehicle registration plates under certain circumstances; altering a certain policy of 5
the State; authorizing the Motor Vehicle Administrator to enter into reciprocal 6
agreements, arrangements, or declarations to provide for reciprocal enforcement of 7
certain automated enforcement violations; exempting certain vehi cles from the 8
requirement to be registered in the State; exempting certain vehicles from a certain 9
tax under certain circumstances ; prohibiting a title service agent from selling or 10
offering for sale a certain vehicle registration; establishing a certain p rocess for 11
bringing vehicles owned by State residents that are improperly registered in another 12
state into compliance with the Maryland Vehicle Law; and generally relating to 13
improperly registered out–of–state vehicles. 14
2 SENATE BILL 111
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 1
Article – Transportation 2
Section 12–110(a), 12–402, 13–402(a) and (c), 15–109, 15–606, and 26–301(b) 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 5
BY adding to 6
Article – Transportation 7
Section 12–411.1, 13–810(a)(26), and 26–301(b–1) 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 10
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 11
Article – Transportation 12
Section 13–402(a) and (c)(7) and 26–301(b) 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 15
BY adding to 16
Article – Transportation 17
Section 26–301(b–1) 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 20
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 21
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 22
Article – Transportation 23
12–110. 24
(a) (1) The Administration may take possession of any certificate of title, 25
registration card, permit, license, or registration plate: 26
[(1)] (I) That is fictitious; 27
[(2)] (II) That is issued by it and that: 28
[(i)] 1. Has expired; 29
[(ii)] 2. Has been canceled, suspended, or revoked; or 30
[(iii)] 3. Was issued unlawfully or erroneously; or 31
[(3)] (III) That has been issued by another jurisdiction but is being illegally 32
used or displayed. 33
SENATE BILL 111 3
(2) THE ADMINISTRATION MAY TA KE POSSESSION OF ANY 1
REGISTRATION CARD OR REGISTRATION PLATE T HAT HAS BEEN ISSUED BY 2
ANOTHER JURISDICTION BUT IS BEING USED OR DISPLAYED: 3
(I) BY A PERSON WHO HAS B EEN A RESIDENT OF TH E STATE 4
FOR MORE THAN 60 DAYS; AND 5
(II) 1. BY A PERSON WHO HAS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH TWO 6
OR MORE TRAFFIC CITATIONS, INCLUDING CITATIONS GENERATED BY AUTOMATED 7
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS; 8
2. BY A PERSON WHOSE LIC ENSE OR PRIVILEGE TO 9
DRIVE IN THE STATE IS SUSPENDED UNDER § 16–203 OF THIS ARTICLE; OR 10
3. ON A MOTOR VEHICLE WHOSE REGISTRATION HAS, AT 11
ANY POINT, BEEN SUSPENDED UNDER § 17–106(A) OF THIS ARTICLE FOR A PERIOD 12
OF 6 MONTHS OR MORE. 13
12–402. 14
It is the policy of this State to promote and encourage the fullest p ossible use of its 15
highway system by authorizing vehicle reciprocal or proportional registration agreements, 16
arrangements, and declarations with other jurisdictions as to vehicles registered in this 17
State and in those other jurisdictions, thus contributing to the SAFETY AND THE economic 18
and social development and growth of this State. 19
12–411.1. 20
(A) THE ADMINISTRATOR MAY MAKE AN AGREEMENT , AN ARRANGEMENT, 21
OR A DECLARATION WIT H THE AUTHORIZED REP RESENTATIVE OF ANY O THER 22
JURISDICTION TO PROV IDE FOR RECIPROC AL ENFORCEMENT OF VI OLATIONS 23
RECORDED BY TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGN AL MONITORING SYSTEM S AND SPEED 24
MONITORING AUTOMATED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS BETWEEN THE STATE 25
AND THE OTHER JURISDICTION. 26
(B) AN AGREEMENT, AN ARRANGEMENT, OR A DECLARATION MADE UNDER 27
THIS SECTION MAY AUTHORIZE THE ADMINISTRATION TO REFUSE TO REGISTER OR 28
REREGISTER A MOTOR VEHICLE. 29
13–402. 30
(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section or elsewhere in the 31
Maryland Vehicle Law, each motor vehicle , trailer, semitrailer, and pole trai ler driven on 32
a highway shall be registered under this subtitle. 33
4 SENATE BILL 111
(2) If a motor vehicle required to be registered under this subtitle is not 1
registered, a person may not park the unregistered motor vehicle on any: 2
(i) Public alley, street, or highway; or 3
(ii) Private property used by the public in general, including parking 4
lots of shopping centers, condominiums, apartments, or town house developments. 5
(3) The provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection do not apply to a 6
motor vehicle that is exempt from registration under this section or § 13 –402.1 of this 7
subtitle. 8
(c) Registration under this subtitle is not required for: 9
(7) A vehicle owned by a new resident of this State during the first 60 days 10
of residency provided the vehicle displays valid registration issued by the jurisdiction of the 11
resident’s former domicile; 12
(1) A vehicle that is driven on a highway: 13
(i) In conformity with the provisions of this title relating to 14
manufacturers, transporters, dealers, secured parties, owners or operators of special mobile 15
equipment, or nonresidents; or 16
(ii) Under a temporary registration card issued by the 17
Administration; 18
(2) A vehicle owned and used by the United States, unless an authorized 19
officer or employee of the United States requests registration of the vehicle; 20
(3) A farm tractor or any farm equipment; 21
(4) A vehicle the front or rear wheels of which are lifted from the highway; 22
(5) A towed vehicle that is attached to the towing vehicle by a tow bar and 23
for which no driver is necessary; 24
(6) A vehicle owned by and in the possession of a licensed dealer for purpose 25
of sale; 26
(7) A vehicle owned by a new resident of this State during the first 60 days 27
of residency provided the vehicle displays valid registration issued by the jurisdiction of the 28
resident’s former domicile; 29
SENATE BILL 111 5
(8) New vehicles being operated as part of a shuttle, as defined in § 13–626 1
of this title, while following a registered vehicle displaying a shuttle permit issued by the 2
Administration; 3
(9) A vehicle operated in connection with maritime commerce exclusively 4
within any terminal owned or leased by the Maryland Port Administration; 5
(10) A snowmobile that is operated on highways and roadways as prescribed 6
by § 25–102(a)(14) of this article; 7
(11) A golf cart that is operated on a highway in accordance with § 21–104.2 8
of this article; 9
(12) A golf cart that is operated on an Allegany County highway as allowed 10
by the county under § 25–102(a)(16) of this article; 11
(13) A vehicle o wned by an accredited consular or diplomatic officer of a 12
foreign government and operated for official or personal purposes when the vehicle displays 13
a valid diplomatic license plate issued by the United States government; [or] 14
(14) A personal delivery device that is operated on a roadway, sidewalk, 15
shoulder, or crosswalk in accordance with § 21–104.3 of this article; OR 16
(15) A TRAILER, SEMITRAILER, OR POLE TRAILER THAT DISPLAYS 17
VALID REGISTRATION ISSUED BY ANOTHER JURISDICTION. 18
13–810. 19
(a) On issuance in this State of an original or subsequent certificate of title for a 20
vehicle, the vehicle is exempt from the excise tax imposed by this part, if it is: 21
(26) A ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2026, A VEHICLE THAT: 22
(I) WAS PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN THE STATE; 23
(II) WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REGI STERED IN ANOTHER 24
JURISDICTION DESPITE THE OWNER OF THE VEH ICLE CONTINUING TO B E A 25
RESIDENT OF THE STATE; AND 26
(III) IS BEING REGISTERED IN THE STATE TO COMPLY WITH THE 27
REQUIREMENTS OF § 13–402 OF THIS TITLE. 28
15–109. 29
(A) [In] SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION , IN addition to any 30
other grounds specified in this title for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license, the 31
6 SENATE BILL 111
Administration may refuse to grant a license under this title to any person and may 1
suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license of any person if it finds that: 2
(1) The person has violated or is attempting to violate any provision of this 3
title or any rule or regulation adopted under this title; 4
(2) The person has violated or is attempting to violate any of the other 5
provisions of the Maryland Vehicle Law that relate to the business or activity of that 6
person; or 7
(3) Any officer, manager, agent, or employee of the person has violated or 8
is attempting to violate any provision of this title, any rule or regulation adopted under this 9
title, or any of the other provisions of the Maryland Vehicle Law that relate to the business 10
or activity of the person, unless the Administration is satisfied that the individuals engaged 11
in the management of the business or activity: 12
(i) Had no knowledge of the wrongful conduct; or 13
(ii) Were unable to prevent the violation or attempted violation. 14
(B) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL SUSPEND THE LICENSE OF A PERSON IF 15
IT FINDS THAT THE PERSON VIOLATED § 15–606(F) OF THIS TITLE. 16
15–606. 17
(a) A title service agent or an agent or employee of a title service agent may not 18
make any material misrepresentation on any form of the Administration. 19
(b) A title service agent or an agent or employee of a title service agent may not 20
misrepresent any material fact in obtaining a license. 21
(c) A title service agent or an agent or employee of a title service agent may not 22
willfully fail to notify the Administration of any change in the ownership, management, 23
name, or location of the business conducted under the license. 24
(d) A title service agent or an agent or employee of a title service agent may not 25
fail to account for and remit to the Administration any fees received by him for any 26
certificates of title, registrations, drivers’ licenses, certified copies of records, or other 27
related documents. 28
(e) A title service agent or an agent or employee of a title service agent may not 29
conduct any title service agency business with or through any person required to be licensed 30
under this title if he knows that the person is not licensed. 31
(F) A TITLE SERVICE AGENT OR AN AGENT OR EMPLO YEE OF A TITLE 32
SERVICE AGENT MAY NOT SELL, OFFER FOR SALE, ADVERTISE, OR FACILITATE THE 33
SENATE BILL 111 7
SALE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION ISSUED BY ANOTHER JURISDICTION TO 1
A RESIDENT OF THE STATE. 2
[(f)] (G) A title service agent or an agent or employee of a title service agent may 3
not willfully violate any provision of the Maryland Vehicle Law that relates to the business 4
of a title service agent. 5
[(g)] (H) A title service agent or an agent or employee of a title service agent may 6
not willfully fail to comply with any rule, regulation, or lawful order adopted by the 7
Administration under this title. 8
26–301. 9
(b) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, any State agency authorized by law 10
and any political subdivision of this State may adopt ordinances or regulations that: 11
(1) Regulate the parking of vehicles; 12
(2) Provide for the impounding of vehicles parked in violation of the 13
ordinances or regulations; 14
(3) Regulate the towing of vehicles from publicly owned and privately 15
owned parking lots; and 16
(4) Provide for the issuance of a citation by an officer for a violation of an 17
ordinance or regulation that is adopted under this section. SECTION; AND 18
(5) AUTHORIZE AN EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OF THE STATE AGENCY OR 19
POLITICAL SUBDIVISIO N TO TAKE POSSESSION OF ANY REGISTRATION PLATE 20
DESCRIBED IN § 12–110(A)(2) OF THIS ARTICLE THAT IS BEING DISPLAYED B Y A 21
PARKED VEHICLE. 22
(B–1) (1) IN ADDITION TO ANY OT HER PENALTY PROVIDED FOR IN THE 23
MARYLAND VEHICLE LAW, IF THE ADMINISTRATION HAS PROBABLE REASONABLE 24
CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT A MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER IS A R ESIDENT OF THE STATE 25
AND HAS FAILED TO PR OPERLY REGISTER THE MOTOR VEHICLE WITH THE 26
ADMINISTRATION AND DI SPLAY VALID REGISTRA TION PLATES ISSUED B Y THE 27
ADMINISTRATION ON THE MOTOR VEHICLE, THE MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER IS 28
SUBJECT TO A WARNING REQUIRING THE MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER, WITHIN 60 DAYS 29
AFTER ISSUANCE OF THE WARNING, TO: 30
(I) PROPERLY REG ISTER THE MOTOR VEHICLE WITH THE 31
ADMINISTRATION AND DI SPLAY VALID REGISTRA TION PLATES ISSUED B Y THE 32
ADMINISTRATION ON THE MOTOR VEHICLE; OR 33
8 SENATE BILL 111
(II) PROVIDE PROOF ACCEPTA BLE TO THE ADMINISTRATION 1
THAT THE MOTOR VEHICLE IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED IN THE STATE. 2
(2) (I) IF THE MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER PROVID ES PROOF 3
ACCEPTABLE TO THE ADMINISTRATION THAT T HE MOTOR VEHICLE IS NOT 4
REQUIRED TO BE REGIS TERED IN THE STATE, IF APPLICABLE AS DET ERMINED BY 5
THE ADMINISTRATION, THE MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER SHALL OBTAIN AND DISPLAY 6
ON THE MOTOR VEHICLE A NONRESIDEN T PERMIT ISSUED BY T HE 7
ADMINISTRATION. 8
(II) IF THE MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER FAILS , WITHIN 60 DAYS 9
AFTER ISSUANCE OF A WARNING UNDER THIS SUBSECTION, TO PROPERLY REGISTER 10
THE MOTOR VEHICLE AND DISPLAY VALI D REGISTRATION PLATE S ON THE MOTOR 11
VEHICLE OR PROVIDE P ROOF ACCEPTABLE TO T HE ADMINISTRATION THAT 12
REGISTRATION IN THE STATE IS NOT REQUIRED , THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL 13
BEGIN TO ASSESS A CI VIL FINE AGAINST THE MOTOR VEHICLE OF $7 PER DAY FOR 14
UP TO 60 DAYS OR UNTIL THE MOTOR VEHICLE IS PROPERLY REGISTERED AND 15
DISPLAYING VALID REGISTRATION PLATES OR THE ADMINISTRATION DETERMINES 16
THAT THE MOTOR VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJE CT TO REGISTRATION I N THE STATE, 17
WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. 18
(3) (I) THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL NOTIFY THE APPROPRIATE 19
LOCAL JURISDICTION IF A MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER FAILS, WITHIN 120 DAYS AFTER 20
ISSUANCE OF A WARNIN G UNDER THIS SUBSECT ION, TO PROPERLY REGISTER THE 21
MOTOR VEHICLE AND DISPLAY VALID REGISTRATION P LATES ON THE MOTOR 22
VEHICLE OR S ATISFY THE ADMINISTRATION THAT T HE MOTOR VEHICLE IS NOT 23
SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION IN THE STATE. 24
(II) THE APPROPRIATE COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY ATTORNEY 25
MAY BRING A CIVIL AC TION IN REM AGAINST A MOTOR VEHICLE FOR WHICH TH E 26
MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER FAILS UNDER THIS SUBSECTION TO PROPERLY REGISTER 27
AND DISPLAY VALID RE GISTRATION PLATES OR TO SATISFY THE ADMINISTRATION 28
THAT THE MOTOR VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION IN THE STATE. 29
(III) IN A CIVIL ACTION IN REM BROUGHT UNDER TH IS 30
SUBSECTION, THE APPROPRIATE COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY ATTORNEY MAY SEEK 31
IMMOBILIZATION OF TH E MOTOR VEHICLE BY TOWING OR REMOVAL AND 32
IMPOUNDMENT OR BY BOOTING. 33
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 34
October 1, 2026. 35