Established in February, the Maryland Collectible Auto Association (MCAA) quickly became an active and influential voice for automotive enthusiasts during the 2026 Maryland General Assembly.
In a session where more than 2,600 bills were introduced, MCAA carefully reviewed legislation to identify anything that could impact our hobby. From that effort, nine key bills and one major amendment were tracked, analyzed, and acted upon.
We are not professional lobbyists. We are enthusiasts. And in just a few short months, we showed up, testified, collaborated, and made our presence known in Annapolis.
Building a Voice for the Hobby
Throughout this legislative session, MCAA:
- Provided in-person testimony in both House and Senate committees
- Submitted written testimony on critical legislation
- Traveled to Annapolis multiple times to advocate directly
- Collaborated with key organizations, including:
- Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA)
- ABATE of Maryland
- SaveTheHobby.org
- Car & Cruise Guide Magazine
MCAA established itself as a credible and necessary voice for Maryland’s automotive community.
Key Legislative Highlights
Historic Vehicle Legislation (HB0004 & HB0125)
These bipartisan bills aimed to:
- Move historic vehicle eligibility to a rolling 25-year standard
- Correct the prior law that effectively declared automotive history ended in 1999
- Reinstate historic tags for previously affected vehicles
Outcome:
Despite strong bipartisan support and MCAA testimony, neither bill was brought to a vote by the House Environment and Transportation Committee.
MCAA has formally requested an explanation from Committee Chairman Delegate Marc Korman and encourages continued outreach from the community.
Title on Death (HB0174)
- Allows vehicle owners to designate a beneficiary for automatic title transfer
- Helps families avoid costly probate complications
Status: Passed the House and advanced to the Senate.
MCAA Position: Supported
Bill of Sale Changes (HB0251)
This bill eliminates the ability to use a notarized bill of sale for vehicle valuation and instead allows the state to assign “market value.”
Why this matters:
- Could significantly increase taxes and fees
- May not reflect actual vehicle condition or sale price
- Opens the door to inflated valuations based on auction data
Status: Passed the House, moving to the Senate
MCAA Position: Concerned and likely opposed
Historic & Street Rod Age Changes (HB0773)
Originally proposed:
- 30 years for historic vehicles
- 40 years for street rods
Amended to:
- 25 years (historic)
- 30 years (street rods)
Outcome: Not advanced out of committee
Additional Bills Monitored
MCAA also tracked and provided input on several other bills, including:
- HB1432: Proposed insurance restrictions and added fees for historic vehicles
- SB0452 & SB0566: Senate companions to historic tag reform
- SB0896: Reduction of registration fees
- SB0912: Emissions and safety inspection exemptions
Most of these bills did not advance out of committee but remain important signals of future legislative direction.
Major Development: BRFA Amendment (Historic Tags)
A significant breakthrough came through the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA).
- Senator J.B. Jennings successfully amended the bill
- Restores a 25-year rolling eligibility standard for historic vehicles
Key detail:
- This version does not include grandfathering, which helped it gain traction
Why the Original Bills Stalled
MCAA learned that:
- The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) opposed HB0004 and HB0125
- The concern centered on lost revenue (~$6 million annually)
- Specifically tied to vehicles from the 2000–2005 model years
This insight highlights the real challenge ahead: balancing revenue concerns with fairness to enthusiasts.
What Happens Next
MCAA will continue pushing for:
- Grandfathering protections for affected vehicles
- Reasonable safeguards to prevent abuse
- Fair, consistent definitions of historic vehicles
How You Can Help
The work is not done, and we need your support.
1. Join MCAA
No dues. No sales pitch. Just strength in numbers.
2. Help Review Legislation
With thousands of bills introduced each session, we need more eyes identifying risks to our hobby.
3. Support Communication Efforts
If you run a car club or online group:
- Approve MCAA posts quickly
- Help us meet critical legislative deadlines
4. Grow the Movement
We’ve built momentum fast, but we need to scale our voice.
Final Thoughts
In just a few months, MCAA has:
- Established credibility in Annapolis
- Built relationships with lawmakers and partner organizations
- Proven that the automotive community can organize and be heard
This is only the beginning.
The future of our hobby depends on what we do next.
