Annapolis, MD (JK) – Maryland Senate Republicans are supporting legislation that would roll back vehicle registration fee increases that took effect in 2024.
Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey is sponsoring Senate Bill 896, which would restore registration fees to the levels in place before the hikes. Hershey recently testified in support of the bill before the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.
The increases, implemented July 1, 2024, raised registration costs by about 60 to 70 percent, adding between $70 and $162 a year for many drivers.
Supporters say the proposal would provide financial relief to families, seniors on fixed incomes, rural residents, and small business owners who depend on their vehicles for daily travel and work.
The bill would also lower registration fees for certain service vehicles, including school buses, ambulances, and funeral coaches, which backers say could help public agencies and nonprofit organizations manage operating costs.
Lawmakers also discussed the potential impact on transportation funding. Maryland’s Maryland Transportation Trust Fund pays for highways, bridges, and transit systems and is largely funded through fuel taxes, registration fees, and other vehicle-related charges.
The bill remains under consideration as lawmakers continue discussions about transportation funding and costs for Maryland drivers.
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