MarylandHB 04752025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Transportation Equality for Service Members Act

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Vehicle tax relief for service members

Beginning October 1, 2025, qualifying service members avoid Maryland’s vehicle excise tax when Maryland issues an original title. The owner must be an active service member or a service member returning to Maryland from active duty. The current owner must have previously titled and registered the vehicle in another state.

Emissions inspection relief for deployed members

Beginning October 1, 2025, vehicles with an active-duty uniformed service member as an owner qualify for scheduled emissions inspection exemptions. The member must be on active duty at the scheduled inspection. A member-owner must have official deployment orders outside the United States or to a duty station without an emissions inspection program. All owners must certify those orders on the Motor Vehicle Administration’s form. The exemption applies only when federal law allows it.

License protections for service families away

Beginning October 1, 2025, active-duty uniformed service members and their dependents can drive using their legal home state’s license. Drivers must carry that license, and it must cover the vehicle class they drive. Maryland licenses also stay valid while members are away on active service and dependents live with them outside Maryland. This protection also covers contract employees away serving a federal agency or uniformed services contract and dependents living with them.

Longer identification renewals for service families

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration can grant temporary identification card renewals lasting up to 2 extra years. Active service members, their spouses, and their dependents are eligible. Required federal documents must be on file, and the card must have been issued for its full term. The photo must be less than 16 years old at the new expiration date.

More special plates for service members

Beginning October 1, 2025, special plates expand to recipients of the highest-level non-combat medals from the uniformed services. Qualifying individually earned combat medals from the armed forces and veteran status under Maryland’s state definition also support eligibility. Applicants must provide satisfactory proof of their medal or veteran status. Veterans with service-connected disability ratings from 50% through 99%, inclusive, can qualify for disabled veteran plates. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determines the rating; these plates can omit the international symbol of access.

Parking placard access for service households

Beginning October 1, 2025, temporary disability parking placard eligibility expands to cover uniformed service members stationed in Maryland. The person with the qualifying disability must be serving in the uniformed services and stationed in Maryland. That person can be the applicant, the applicant’s dependent, or someone who relies on the applicant for transportation. The disability must meet Maryland’s legal criteria for disability parking.

Service members avoid duplicate vehicle registration

Beginning October 1, 2025, qualifying nonresident uniformed service members do not need Maryland registration for their personal passenger vehicle. They must serve on active duty in Maryland, an adjoining state, or the District of Columbia. The vehicle must be registered in the member’s state of residence.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Nick Allen
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Michele Guyton
Democratic • House
Anne Healey
Democratic • House
Robbyn Lewis
Democratic • House
Sheila Ruth
Democratic • House
Dana Stein
Democratic • House
Todd B. Morgan
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 181 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/17/2025