Subcommittee defers Maryland intelligent speed-assistance pilot while staff and agencies reconcile technical changes
February 19, 2026 | Environment and Transportation Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland
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ANNAPOLIS — The Motor Vehicle and Transportation Subcommittee of the Environment and Transportation Committee discussed House Bill 107 on Feb. 19, a pilot program to allow drivers with certain speeding violations to participate in an intelligent speed-assistance program, but the panel agreed to hold the measure for further technical work and to await Senate amendments.
Chair Delegate Robin Lewis said the sponsor, Delegate Nick Allen, and staff circulated an interlineated reprint with amendments and asked Patrick (committee staff) to walk members through the changes. Patrick described core edits including revised timing for participatory periods and how restrictive licenses would be used to allow participants to drive while enrolled in the program rather than face immediate suspension.
Patrick told members the draft trades on language from Maryland’s ignition-interlock framework but that the suspension windows under that program do not match the shorter intervals envisioned for this pilot. He said the reprint proposes participation periods (examples discussed: roughly 60 days for a first participation, 180 days for a second, with additional timeframes discussed for repeat noncompliance) so participants could avoid suspension by enrolling and completing program requirements.
Delegate Nick Allen, the sponsor, asked that the committee coordinate with the Senate: “the Senate amendments, as I understand them, are just kinda making sure that the manufacturers of the device aren't necessarily held liable, when they shouldn't be,” he said, and asked the subcommittee to close the loop with the Senate before final action.
Members pressed staff on evaluation and measurement. Delegate Ziegler asked whether the pilot would capture long-term behavior change after the speed governors are removed; MVA representative Lisa Nisley said she did not know of long-term studies but offered to work with agency staff to monitor and share information after the pilot and to respond to members’ suggested measures.
Patrick and others emphasized keeping the pilot permissive rather than mandatory to avoid difficult edge cases (for example, a driver with no vehicle). The subcommittee concluded it will return to HB107 after reviewing Senate amendments and resolving outstanding technical issues with MVA and JPR.
The subcommittee made no formal motion on the bill at the Feb. 19 meeting; action was deferred.
Chair Delegate Robin Lewis said the sponsor, Delegate Nick Allen, and staff circulated an interlineated reprint with amendments and asked Patrick (committee staff) to walk members through the changes. Patrick described core edits including revised timing for participatory periods and how restrictive licenses would be used to allow participants to drive while enrolled in the program rather than face immediate suspension.
Patrick told members the draft trades on language from Maryland’s ignition-interlock framework but that the suspension windows under that program do not match the shorter intervals envisioned for this pilot. He said the reprint proposes participation periods (examples discussed: roughly 60 days for a first participation, 180 days for a second, with additional timeframes discussed for repeat noncompliance) so participants could avoid suspension by enrolling and completing program requirements.
Delegate Nick Allen, the sponsor, asked that the committee coordinate with the Senate: “the Senate amendments, as I understand them, are just kinda making sure that the manufacturers of the device aren't necessarily held liable, when they shouldn't be,” he said, and asked the subcommittee to close the loop with the Senate before final action.
Members pressed staff on evaluation and measurement. Delegate Ziegler asked whether the pilot would capture long-term behavior change after the speed governors are removed; MVA representative Lisa Nisley said she did not know of long-term studies but offered to work with agency staff to monitor and share information after the pilot and to respond to members’ suggested measures.
Patrick and others emphasized keeping the pilot permissive rather than mandatory to avoid difficult edge cases (for example, a driver with no vehicle). The subcommittee concluded it will return to HB107 after reviewing Senate amendments and resolving outstanding technical issues with MVA and JPR.
The subcommittee made no formal motion on the bill at the Feb. 19 meeting; action was deferred.
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