Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB174: Motor Vehicles and Marine Vessels - Transfer-on-Death Designations
Status: Signed into law, April 14, 2026
Authorizing an individual who is the sole owner of a marine vessel or multiple individuals who jointly co-own a marine vessel to apply to the Department of Natural Resources to designate a beneficiary to take ownership of the marine vessel on the death of the owner or each co-owner; and altering certain provisions of law governing the transfer-on-death designation for motor vehicles to allow multiple individuals who jointly co-own a motor vehicle to designate a transfer-on-death beneficiary.
What the bill says
An act concerning Motor Vehicles and Marine Vessels - Transfer-on-Death Designations FOR the purpose of authorizing an individual who is the sole owner of a marine vessel or multiple individuals who co-own a marine vessel under certain ownership registrations to apply to the Department of Natural Resources to designate a beneficiary to take ownership of the marine vessel on the death of the owner or each co-owner…
From the enrolled text, April 21, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Motor Vehicles and Marine Vessels - Transfer-on-Death Designations FOR the purpose of authorizing an individual who is the sole owner of a marine vessel or multiple individuals who co-own a marine vessel under certain ownership registrations to apply to the Department of Natural Resources to designate a beneficiary to take ownership of the marine vessel on the death of the owner or each co-owner; altering certain provisions of law governing the transfer-on-death designation for motor vehicles to allow multiple individuals who co-own a motor vehicle under certain ownership registrations to designate a transfer-on-death beneficiary; and generally relating to transfer-on-death beneficiaries for motor vehicles and marine vessels. BY adding to Article - Natural Resources Section 8-720.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Transportation Section 13-115 Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Natural Resources 8-720.1. (A) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS THE SOLE OWNER OF A VESSEL OR MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS WHO CO-OWN A VESSEL AS JOINT TENANTS WITH RIGHT OF SURVIVORSHIP OR TENANTS BY THE ENTIRETY MAY APPLY TO THE DEPARTMENT TO DESIGNATE A BENEFICIARY TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE VESSEL ON THE …
Sponsors
- Jon Cardin (D, HD-011) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Approved by the Governor - Chapter 72
- : Returned Passed
- : Third Reading Passed (39-0)
- : Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
- : Referred Judicial Proceedings
- : Third Reading Passed (136-0)
- : Second Reading Passed
- : Favorable Adopted
- : Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation
Votes
- Third Reading Passed (39-0) (April 9, 2026): 39 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading Passed (136-0) (February 26, 2026): 136 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB174?
- HB174 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Motor Vehicles and Marine Vessels - Transfer-on-Death Designations.
- What does HB174 do?
- In its own words: An act concerning Motor Vehicles and Marine Vessels - Transfer-on-Death Designations FOR the purpose of authorizing an individual who is the sole owner of a marine vessel or multiple individuals who co-own a marine vessel under certain ownership registrations to apply to the Department of Natural Resources to designate a beneficiary to take ownership of the marine vessel on the death of the owner or each co-owner…
- What is the status of HB174?
- Signed into law as of April 14, 2026. Latest action: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 72 (April 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB174?
- Jon Cardin (D, HD-011).
- Where is the official record for HB174?
- On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0174?ys=2026RS
Source: official Maryland record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.