Legislative Session 2023

2023 Legislative Summary

Reckless and Negligent Driving – Death of Another – Must–Appear Violation (Sherry’s and Christian’s Law) HB360 & SB252: Providing that a person charged with negligent driving must appear in court and may not prepay the fine if the negligent driving contributed to an accident that resulted in the death of another person; and establishing a penalty for a person convicted of a violation of the prohibition on reckless driving of imprisonment not exceeding 5 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both. ABATE supported, obtained co-sponsors on the House bill, and testified in both the Judiciary & JPR committee hearings.

HB360:Status: Died in House Judiciary Committee

SB252: Status: Received a unanimous favorable vote in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee (11-0). Received a unanimous favorable vote on the Senate Floor (45-0). The House Judiciary Committee never brought the bill up for a vote. Died in the House Judiciary Committee.

SB933 Helmet Bill: Vehicle Laws – Protective Headgear Requirement for Motorcycle Rides – Exception (In Remembrance of Gary “Pappy” Boward): The bill had to go to Rule Committee prior to getting assigned to the Senate Judicial Proceedings (JPR) Committee. Due to the time frame, the hearing in JPR was “sponsor only” oral testimony. The bill died in JPR committee. ABATE provided written testimony and attended the JPR committee hearing in support of the bill & Senator McKay.

Grass Clippings / Yard Debris: This bill never made it out of writing – NO ACTION

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HB1207: Motorcycle Passenger Restriction: Requiring a rear passenger on a motorcycle to be able to firmly position the passenger’s feet on the footrests of the motorcycle, subject to an exception for permanent physical disability. Bill received a favorable vote in the House Environment and Transportation Committee (23-0), a favorable vote on the House floor (135-2). The bill dies in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee

HB312: Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program – Not Subject to Inspection – Fee: ABATE opposed. Bill was withdrawn by the sponsor

HB304:Motor Vehicles – Noise Limits and Modification of Exhaust Systems and Noise Abatement Devices. 

SB147 / HB208: Street Racing and Exhibition Driving – Prohibited Acts, Enforcement, and Penalties: SB147 died in committee with no vote. HB208 received a favorable vote in the House Environment & Transportation Committee (20-0) and a favorable with Amendment vote in the House Judiciary Committee. The House passed it (110-25) & it was referred to Rules and then  Senate Judicial Proceedings committee. The bill died in JPR committee

HB1130 / SB229: Vehicle Laws – Noise Abatement Monitoring Systems – Authorization, Use, and Penalties. HB1130 died in the House Environment & Transportation Committee. SB229 received a Favorable with amendments vote (9-2). It passed on the Senate floor (36-7) & was referred to the House Environment & Transportation Committee. The bill died in committee.

HB944 / SB373 : Charles County – Motorized Minibikes – Regulation and Enforcement. Both bills died in committee

HB928 : Motor Vehicles – Off-the-Road Motorcycles – Local Regulation and Enforcement – Bill died in committee

HB1268: Income Tax – Credit for Electric Autocycles, Bicycles, and Motorcycles – bill never made it our of Rules and Executive Nominations Committee.

HB20: Vehicle Laws – Horse Riding – Helmet Requirement for Minors – E&T Committee: Favorable with amendments: 22-0, House floor: 125-12, Senate JPR: Favorable (10-0)

HB94 / SB484: Vehicle Laws – Reduction of Speed Limits by Local Authorities – Withdrawn by sponsors

HB250: Vehicle Laws – Disabled Veteran Registration Plates – Issuance –  Favorable with Amendment by E&T 23-0, Passed House 138-0, referred to JPR, Died in committee

HB367: Vehicle Laws – Stop Sign Monitoring Systems – Authorization – Unfavorable report by E&T 23-0

HB806 / SB 685 : Vehicle Laws – Autonomous Vehicle Converters – Sale of Autonomous Vehicles – HB806 Env. & Tran (23-0), House Floor: Favorable 138-0),  JPR : Favorable (11-0), Senate Floor (42-0) – PASSED

SB11: Motor Vehicles – Speed Limits – School Zones – JPR Favorable (9-1), Senate Floor (43-0), House E & T: UnFavorable (22-1)

SB110: Public Safety – Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission: Senate JPR: UnFavorable (9-1)

SB117: State Highway Administration – Litter Collection and Mowing. Senate Finance Committee: Died in committee