HB 158
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2020 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader - Revised
House Bill 158 (Chair, Environment and Transportation Committee)(By
Request - Departmental - State Police)
Environment and Transportation Judicial Proceedings
Vehicle Laws - Equipment and Inspections - Standards and Requirements
This departmental bill modifies vehicle equipment and safety standards set forth in the
Maryland Vehicle Law, generally to conform to federal requirements, address technology
advancements, and repeal outdated or obsolete requirements.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill does not materially affect State finances or operations.
Local Effect: The bill does not materially affect local government finances or operations.
Small Business Effect: The Department of State Police (DSP) has determined that this
bill has minimal or no impact on small business (attached). The Department of Legislative
Services concurs with this assessment. (The attached assessment does not reflect
amendments to the bill.)
Analysis
Bill Summary/Current Law: The bill affects several provisions of law related to
equipment and safety standards for windshields, lighting equipment (e.g., headlamps, stop
lamps, signal lamps, etc.), and the performance ability of brakes. The bill also revises
standards for the licensing of inspection stations and mechanics.
Obstruction to Driver’s View or Driving Mechanism/Windshields
The bill expands upon and clarifies exceptions to the general requirement that a person
may not drive a vehicle with any sign, poster, card, sticker, or other transparent material
on the windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows of the vehicle. For instance, the bill
allows materials to be placed on the windshield in compliance with security measures
required by a federal or State government agency (as long as the decal is affixed to the
vehicle in accordance with the issuing agency’s guidelines). The bill also clarifies
provisions related to the existing required medical certification for window tinting beyond
the 35% light transmittance threshold. Further, the bill establishes additional requirements
related to windshield washers.
Driving with Improper Equipment
Current law specifies that the use of additional parts and accessories on any vehicle is
acceptable (so long as such usage is consistent with the provisions of Title 22 of the
Transportation Article, which sets forth standards for vehicle equipment). The bill provides
greater detail to this authorization by specifying, for example, that a person is prohibited
from operating equipment intended for off-road use while the vehicle is being driven on a
highway.
Vehicle Lighting Equipment, Stop Lamps, Turn Signals, Etc.
The bill establishes new requirements with regard to stop lamps. While the requirements
vary based on the type of vehicle (e.g., passenger vehicle, pickup truck, van, sport utility
vehicle, etc.), the bill generally requires that a vehicle be equipped with a red center high
mount stop lamp (mounted with its center on the vertical centerline of the vehicle as the
vehicle is viewed from the rear).
The bill makes several other changes to lighting and signaling equipment, generally
conforming State law to federal law. Some of the bill’s changes accommodate changing
technologies. For example, the bill authorizes a vehicle used to provide what are commonly
known as ride share services to be equipped with (and display) a static red, blue, or other
color lighted sign identifying the operator and the vehicle as a provider of transportation
network services.
Used Vehicle Inspections
Finally, the bill revises inspection provisions to reflect licensing (rather than registration)
of inspection stations and mechanics. Under current law, DSP is authorized to administer
an exam for inspection mechanic applicants. However, the bill adds greater specificity to
HB 158/ Page 2
requirements related to the exam and establishes that the exam must include both a written
test and a practical test.
Background: DSP advises that the bill is intended to conform the Maryland Vehicle Law
to automotive equipment regulations and standards followed by the automotive industry
(pursuant to federal law and trade-industry recommendations) in the construction of
vehicles for sale in the United States. In addition, the bill addresses technology
advancements and improvements. Finally, the bill is intended to improve the licensing and
regulation of the vehicle safety inspection program (and of the mechanics employed by
licensed inspection stations).
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Department of State Police; Maryland Department of
Transportation; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 4, 2020
rh/ljm Third Reader - March 14, 2020
Revised - Amendment(s) - March 14, 2020
Analysis by: Eric F. Pierce Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 158/ Page 3
 ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES
TITLE OF BILL: Vehicle Laws - Equipment and Inspections - Standards and
Requirements
BILL NUMBER: HB 158
PREPARED BY: Thomas Williams
PART A. ECONOMIC IMPACT RATING
This agency estimates that the proposed bill:
_X__ WILL HAVE MINIMAL OR NO ECONOMIC IMPACT ON MARYLAND
SMALL BUSINESS
OR
WILL HAVE MEANINGFUL ECONOMIC IMPACT ON MARYLAND
SMALL BUSINESSES
PART B. ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
This legislation revises in law the type of equipment to be approved by inspection
mechanics in the inspection of used vehicles. The equipment standards are part of the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Vehicles are already being manufactured with
this equipment. MD law needs to catch up to the national standards.
HB 158/ Page 4


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Vehicle Laws - Equipment and Inspections - Standards and Requirements: 22-227 Transportation, 23-104 Transportation, 21-1104 Transportation, 22-101 Transportation, 22-203 Transportation, 22-206 Transportation, 22-218 Transportation, 22-219 Transportation, 22-222 Transportation, 22-227 Transportation, 22-302 Transportation, 22-404 Transportation, 22-406 Transportation, 13-937 Transportation, 23-101 Transportation, 23-103.1 Transportation, 23-104 Transportation
Text - Third - Vehicle Laws - Equipment and Inspections - Standards and Requirements: 22-227 Transportation, 23-104 Transportation, 21-1104 Transportation, 22-101 Transportation, 22-203 Transportation, 22-206 Transportation, 22-218 Transportation, 22-219 Transportation, 22-222 Transportation, 22-227 Transportation, 22-302 Transportation, 22-404 Transportation, 22-406 Transportation, 13-937 Transportation, 23-101 Transportation, 23-103.1 Transportation, 23-104 Transportation