Historic tagged vehicles in Md. Beware

[68BUCKS]

A new bill in Annapolis "HB550" is worth reading if you tag your classic with HISTORIC tags.
If I understand the proposed bill correctly the occasional driving verbage will be deleted from the existing law and we will be limited to driving in only parades and specialized events. Spread the word.
Please do not comment politically, this post is just to give you a chance to read and understand what might be coming down the pike.
http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/bills/hb/hb0550f.pdf

[ib4stangs]

You read it correctly and thanx for the heads-up! I sent this e-mail to my 3 delegates, so MD owners, feel free to copy, paste and send it to yours. The following link lists them and e-mail addresses...

Maryland House of Delegates - By District

Dear Delegate ******,

As a resident of ******, MD and a classic car owner I am concerned with pending House Bill #550. If I understand the proposed bill correctly the "occasional driving" verbiage will be deleted from the existing law and owners displaying historic tags will be limited to driving in only parades and specialized events. This passage is not acceptable. I like to use it when desired and it is my wish you "vote no" as written. Most owners savvy enough to place these tags on a classic leave it garaged 95% of the time anyway...Thank you, *****

Sponsors are;

Delegates Reznik, Arora, Carr, Elliott, Gutierrez, Kaiser, B. Robinson, S. Robinson, Schulz, and Zucker

[Ockbob]

Just sent to all my delegates. Let's get this out to everyone

[dodgestang]

Well I sent a note to my delegates to.

Hello

As a resident of Cecil County, MD and owner of several classic cars as well as multiple late model daily drivers I am concerned with pending House Bill #550. If I understand the proposed bill correctly the "occasional driving" verbiage will be deleted from the existing law and owners displaying historic tags will be limited to driving in only parades and specialized events. This change is unacceptable and if passed any representative who supported this change in classic car tag to restrict my ability to utilize my car on an occasional basis for any reason I deem appropriate (whether it be for a parade, a show, or a trip to the hardware store for a box of screws) will no longer receive support from myself and I suspect from the tens of thousands of classic car owners living in the state of Maryland. I can attest plainly that the thousands of people who are members of the Mustang Club of Maryland were significantly alarmed at our last meeting to insist we all take a moment and send a formal negative opinion of these proposed changes.

I understand the concern about possible abuse of some individuals registering their vehicles as classic and then continuing to use them as a daily driver or even worse in a professional business function, however, the path to resolution for an issue like that is not to further infringe on the rights of law abiding citizens by making laws more restrictive, it is to develop better enforcement mechanisms to eliminate the abuse.

Thank you.

Nick Magilton

[deuce68]

Thanks for the info Dave, and yes Nick there is way to many junker cars and trucks running around with Historic Tags. Something needs to be done about this.

[68BUCKS]

Glad it struck some nerves! Hopfully everyones efforts will gain us positive results!

[Ockbob]

The Senate bill is SB846. It is the sister bill to HB550
Please write to all our Senators!

[68BUCKS]

Here is their fuel as usual (money)
http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/fnote...000/hb0550.pdf

Not sure why they have to take away our ability to drive though, other than the fact that it will force us to register with standard plates and pay our great state that much more!

I will also write SB846... Thanks for the heads up!

[Ockbob]

Just received a call from Senator King's office (she is one of the sponsors of the Senate Bill), after I sent her an e-mail. Her secretary told me that there are a couple of amendments to the bill that would still allow "occasional driving" as well as driving for repair etc. I think they are still pushing for the other issues (changing from 20 to 25 years and the insurance issue is still being discussed as well due to most requiring to have a primary vehicle). She is going to send me a link so that we can follow the bill that I will post once I receive it.

[Ockbob]

Here is what I received. I will also post the Amendments once I receive them in the mail.

Following are links to the Senate and House bills on historic vehicles:

http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/billfile/sb0846.htm

http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/billfile/hb0550.htm

If the bills are given a favorable report by the committees, then the amendments will show up on the links. In the mean time, I have placed a hard copy of the amendments in the mail to you. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to call or write.

Sincerely,
Patty Horton
Chief of Staff for
Senator Nancy J. King

[Ockbob]

Good news. Both SB 846 and HB 550 FAILED this week.