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Charles County asks for local authority to regulate ATVs and off-road vehicles
Summary
Delegate Deborah Davis and Charles County sheriff's office witnesses told the committee the county has thousands of calls about unregistered or reckless off-highway vehicles and requested enabling legislation to give local officials stronger deterrent tools including impoundment and financial penalties.
Delegate Deborah Davis presented House Bill 12 83 on behalf of the Charles County delegation seeking enabling local authority to regulate off-highway recreational vehicles, including ATVs and dirt bikes.
Sergeant Goe, supervisor of community policing at the Charles County Sheriff's Office, testified the office received 5,346 calls about off-road vehicles from 2020 to 2025, including 1,076 calls in 2024. "The citizens are worried about the safety, the reckless driving on the highways and in the communities, and are annoyed by the constant noise and destruction of property," Goe said. He asked the committee for a favorable report to give the county options to deter behavior, including impoundment and significant financial penalties when appropriate.
Jerome Spencer, general counsel for the sheriff's office, said the county has tried statewide solutions previously but is seeking local authority now. "Our hope is that this enabling legislation will give our county commissioners an extra tool to use to work with the sheriff's office to deter the behavior," Spencer said, adding the county hopes stronger deterrents will reduce repeat incidents.
Ending: The hearing closed after testimony and committee questions; the transcript shows no committee vote on HB 12 83 in the provided excerpt.
