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SB 912

Charles County – Off–Highway Recreational Vehicles – Regulation and Enforcement

2025 Regular Session

Charles County may regulate OHRVs: require registration and fees, set operator age limits, and empower police to impound vehicles for specified violations.

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Bill Summary · SB 912

Summary — SB 912 (Charles County)

Charles County – Off–Highway Recreational Vehicles – Regulation and Enforcement

Purpose / Intent

SB 912 authorizes Charles County to regulate off‑highway recreational vehicles (OHRVs) within the county. The bill gives the county specific powers — including registration, age limits, and impoundment authority — to address public‑safety and local traffic concerns related to OHRV operation. The statute is permissive (authorizing) rather than mandatory: Charles County may choose whether to exercise these powers.

Key provisions

  • Grants Charles County authority to:

    • Regulate the operation of OHRVs within the county.
    • Require owners to register OHRVs with the county and pay a county registration fee.
    • Impose age restrictions on who may operate an OHRV.
    • Authorize law enforcement to impound an OHRV that is the subject of an alleged violation of:
    • Title 21, Subtitle 9 of the Transportation Article (e.g., reckless/negligent/aggressive driving, DUI/DWI, fleeing or eluding a police officer, consumption of alcohol/cannabis in a vehicle, and related offenses), or
    • § 6‑404 or § 6‑405 of the Criminal Law Article (prohibitions on using an ORV on private property without permission and on State/political‑subdivision property).

  • Conforms to the Maryland Vehicle Law provision allowing local authorities to adopt traffic/regulatory measures over highways under their jurisdiction, by adding the Charles County‑specific OHRV authorities.

Who is affected

  • OHRV owners and operators in Charles County — potentially subject to new county registration, fees, age limits, and heightened enforcement (including impoundment).
  • Charles County government — may adopt implementing regulations, fee structure, and enforcement practices.
  • County law enforcement — gains express impoundment authority for OHRVs tied to specified alleged offenses.
  • State agencies and finances — the bill does not directly change State operations or finances.

Fiscal and policy impact

  • Department of Legislative Services fiscal note: because the bill is permissive, it does not by itself change Charles County finances. If the county adopts a registration fee, county revenues would increase minimally. Local expenditures are not expected to be materially affected. No direct effect on State finances. No expected effect on small businesses.

Timeline and procedural status

  • Introduced: January 24, 2025.
  • Enacted and filed without the Governor’s signature: June 20, 2025.
  • Effective date: September 1, 2025.
  • Cross‑file / related: Companion bills HB 1283 and HB 1838 noted.

Context / Existing law

  • State law already defines OHRVs (ATVs, side‑by‑sides, off‑highway motorcycles, snowmobiles) and requires MVA titling and excise tax for OHRVs purchased on/after Oct 1, 2010; DNR also regulates ORV use on DNR lands. SB 912 supplements state law by providing Charles County with specified local regulatory and enforcement options.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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