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Law enforcement backs closing rental-car exemption from automated citations; industry seeks 45‑day transfer process
Summary
Delegate Odom’s HB 1522 would remove a statutory exemption that blocks red-light and speed camera citations from being issued to rental and leasing companies; Charles County law enforcement urged closing the loophole, citing thousands of voided rental-vehicle violations, while rental-industry witnesses supported the concept but requested a 45‑day transfer/identification window and secure electronic processes.
Delegate Odom presented HB 15 22 to repeal the statutory exemption that currently shields rental and leasing companies from liability for red light and speed camera citations.
"HB 15 22 simply removes the exemption and treats rental and lease vehicles the same as all other vehicles when violations are captured by red lights or speed cameras," Delegate Odom said, framing the change as closing a public-safety loophole rather than expanding automated enforcement.
Charles County witnesses described the operational problem: Sheriff Tory Beard and Charles County representatives said automated enforcement programs recorded thousands of rental‑vehicle violations in 2025 that could not be enforced because of the exemption, citing examples of vehicles captured at 70–99 mph in school zones. Kevin Carlson (Charles County) said the sheriff's office voided dozens to hundreds of rental-vehicle citations in 2025 because of the exemption and that rental companies can pass citation costs and administrative fees on to renters.
Industry representatives — including Michael De Lorenzo (Next Car Rental) and John Dill (NexCar) — said they support the policy goal of holding drivers accountable but urged amendments mirroring existing transfer procedures elsewhere in Maryland’s automated enforcement statutes. A commonly discussed amendment would provide a 45‑day pre‑citation transfer-notice procedure allowing rental companies time to identify the driver and submit that information to issuing agencies via secure electronic transmission; sponsors indicated openness to that approach.
Committee members discussed administrative practicality, fairness, and options to ensure responsibility follows the driver. The sponsor said the bill is not meant to penalize rental companies; rather, it removes a gap that allows dangerous drivers to escape accountability. No vote occurred at the hearing; witnesses agreed to work on technical amendments ahead of the committee’s reconvening.
