Sponsor: Senator Johnny Mautz
Effective date (if passed): July 1, 2026
Core Idea
SB0912 would exempt certain vehicles from Maryland’s emissions testing program if they were previously registered as historic vehicles before July 1, 2025.
What the Bill Does
The bill would:
- Allow vehicles that were historically registered before July 1, 2025 to remain exempt from emissions testing.
- Apply this exemption even if those vehicles are no longer registered as historic.
- Modify parts of the Maryland Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) to include this exemption.
Why It Matters
The intent is to:
- Protect owners of vehicles that previously qualified for historic registration
- Prevent those vehicles from suddenly being required to undergo emissions inspections due to changes in historic vehicle rules or registration status
Status (as of 2026 session)
- In the Maryland Senate
- Scheduled for a Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing on March 10, 2026.
💡 In plain terms:
If your car used to be registered as a historic vehicle before July 1, 2025, SB0912 would make sure it does not have to start emissions testing later, even if the registration rules change.
Mike Lechlitner Submitted testimony on behalf of the Maryland Automotive Community:
I provide written testimony in support of SB0912 which if passed, would exempt vehicles that
previously were registered as Historic (Class L) as of 1 July 2025 from required emissions
testing.
There are several bills in both the House and Senate for this session that corrects this mistaken
1999 historical cut off and therefore re-instates the emissions exemption. Nevertheless, SB0912
when considered separately, has value the vehicle collector hobby needs.
Historic vehicles by law are not daily drivers. The 2025 law change reclaimed H-tags for vehicles
manufactured after 1999 and forced emissions tests upon them. The State now requires
emission inspections of previously exempt 2000-2005 vehicles placing undue hardship on the
owners. The age of these vehicles makes parts and/or needed repair difficult. In addition, there
are very rare or exotic previously H-tagged vehicles that State VEIP stations have no test data to
even determine a “pass” or “fail”. These are often foreign imports or domestically built in small
numbers. My own vehicle, a 2001 Panoz Esperante is one of only 350 built in the State of
Georgia. VEIP doesn’t even have that manufacturer in their data base.
These hobbyists provide revenue to the State through tourism and Car Shows. The latter are
often for charitable causes resulting in millions of dollars of donations.
This favorable testimony is also endorsed by the Maryland Collectible Auto Association and the
Antique Auto Clubs of America.
Thank you for submitting this bill.
Written testimony submitted 6 March, 2026.
