Bill
SB 941
MDTA/MDOT must offer income-based installments for unpaid tolls/penalties and vehicle fines (thresholds: $300 tolls, $250 fines), with notices and CCU recall rules.
Status: Referred to Rules and Executive Nominations (Introduced Jan 22, 2025). Committee: Judicial Proceedings. Crossfile/Companion: HB 1465 (Delegate Stewart).
Overview / Purpose
- SB 941 requires the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)/courts to establish income‑based installment payment plan programs to allow eligible people to repay unpaid video tolls, associated civil penalties, and certain vehicle‑law fines over time based on ability to pay.
- The bill also expands MDTA’s authority to recall delinquent accounts from the State’s Central Collection Unit (CCU) in certain situations.
Key provisions and changes
- Income‑based installment programs
- MDTA must create an income‑based installment payment plan program for unpaid video tolls and civil penalties. Under the version adopted on third reading, a person who has accumulated at least $300 in unpaid video tolls and civil penalties may apply (an earlier draft used a $250 threshold).
- MDOT/courts must establish a parallel income‑based installment program for fines under the Maryland Vehicle Law; the threshold in that program is at least $250 in accumulated fines.
- Programs must include income eligibility and verification standards, available installment options (number/type), an application process, procedures to report payment defaults, and any other regulations necessary to administer the programs.
- If a participant defaults, MDTA or the Department may refer the unpaid balance to the CCU for collection.
Notice and citation language
Recall of delinquent accounts from CCU
Who is affected
- Individuals (registered vehicle owners/drivers) with unpaid MDTA video tolls and civil penalties or vehicle‑law fines who meet the monetary thresholds — they gain an income‑based repayment option.
- MDTA, MDOT, the Maryland courts, Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), and the Central Collection Unit — administrative and procedural responsibilities to implement, verify eligibility, notify, and collect.
- No direct local government or small business fiscal effect noted.
Fiscal and operational impact
- Fiscal note: Implementing the bill is not expected to materially affect State operations or finances. MDTA already has regulations and is in the process of implementing a similar installment program (previously using a $300 threshold), so additional costs are expected to be minimal.
- CCU continues to collect referred debts; referral and collection practices remain available when plans fail.
Procedural/timeline notes
- Introduced Jan 22, 2025. Committee hearings and amendments occurred in March 2025; committee reported favorably with amendments and the Senate adopted floor amendments. Read second and third times in March 2025, then re‑referred to Rules and Executive Nominations. Companion HB 1465 is the House crossfile.
Notes and caveats
- Multiple document versions reflect amendments during committee and floor action (notably the threshold for MDTA’s program was adjusted between $250 and $300 in different drafts). The fiscal note indicates MDTA planned a similar program irrespective of this bill.
- The legislative packet included unrelated/errant text from another state's bill; this summary focuses on the Maryland SB 941 provisions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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