HB 863
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
First Reader
House Bill 863 (St. Mary's County Delegation)
Environment and Transportation
St. Mary’s County – Motor Vehicle Registration – Exception for Golf Carts
This bill authorizes a person to operate a golf cart equipped with approved lighting on a
county highway in St. Mary’s County between dawn and dusk on which the maximum
posted speed limit does not exceed 35 miles per hour. The St. Mary’s County Board of
Commissioners may designate the county highways on which a person may operate a golf
cart. The golf cart must be kept as far to the right of the roadway as feasible, and the driver
must have a valid driver’s license.
A golf cart operating pursuant to the bill’s authorization is exempt from the general
requirement that each motor vehicle driven on a highway in the State be registered. In
addition, the bill does not apply in Golden Beach Patuxent Knolls, for which the operation
of golf carts is governed under a separate provision of State law. The bill takes effect
June 1, 2021.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill does not materially affect State finances or operations.
Local Effect: The bill does not materially affect local finances or operations.
Small Business Effect: Potential minimal.
Analysis
Current Law: Each motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer driven on a
highway must be registered. Certain motor vehicles are exempt from this requirement,
including certain snowmobiles in Allegany and Garrett counties and certain golf carts in
Allegany County, on Smith Island, in the City of Crisfield in Somerset County, in the
community of Golden Beach Patuxent Knolls in St. Mary’s County, and in the Town of
Vienna in Dorchester County.
A “motor vehicle” is defined as a vehicle that, unless otherwise specifically exempted, is
self-propelled or propelled by electric power obtained from overhead electrical wires and
not operated on rails. Certain vehicles, such as low-speed vehicles, bicycles, and motor
scooters, are restricted to certain highways based on the maximum posted speed limit; they
may be subject to different rules of the road than passenger cars and trucks.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): St. Mary’s County; Maryland Department of Transportation;
Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 24, 2021
rh/ljm
Analysis by: Eric F. Pierce Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 863/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - St. Mary’s County – Motor Vehicle Registration – Exception for Golf Carts: 13-402 Transportation, 21-104.5 Transportation, 21-104.3 Transportation