The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland Senate Bill 275 increases electric vehicle dealer licenses from four to five and restricts one for the City of Bowie
Last action · January 20, 2026: Hearing 2/04 at 11:00 a.m.Sponsor: Ron Watson
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What This Bill Would Do
Maryland Senate Bill 275 increases the statewide cap on s available to electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicle manufacturers from four to five, requiring the new license to be operated exclusively in the City of Bowie starting October 1, 2026.
Expands retail availability for electric vehicle brands that lack traditional franchise networks, specifically introducing a new dealership location within the City of Bowie.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicle manufacturers or distributors
Manufacturers dealing exclusively in electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicles gain an opportunity to apply for an additional statewide dealer license, subject to ownership and franchise restrictions.
City of Bowie residents and consumers
Consumers gain a designated manufacturer-operated electric vehicle dealership location within the City of Bowie.
Key Facts
- Senate Bill 275 raises the maximum number of statewide dealer licenses available to electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicle manufacturers from four to five.
- The legislation mandates that the newly authorized fifth license may only be used to operate a dealership in the City of Bowie.
- Eligible manufacturers or distributors must deal exclusively in electric or nonfossil-fuel burning vehicles and cannot hold franchises with existing traditional dealers in the state.
- The Motor Vehicle Administration is directed to adopt regulations to implement these licensing provisions.
Show all 5 facts
- The Act takes effect on October 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many electric vehicle dealer licenses are allowed statewide under the bill?
Where must the new fifth license be used?
When does the law take effect?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jan 20, 2026SenateHearing 2/04 at 11:00 a.m.
- Jan 19, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Judicial Proceedings
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Direct-Manufacturer EV Sales Caps
The state incrementally raises limits on direct manufacturer-owned electric vehicle dealerships while tying the new allotment strictly to a specific municipality.
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance35How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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