EV Legislative Update, Feb. 4, 2020

Maryland Right-to-Charge Hearing

Today, I testified before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of “Right to Charge” bill HB 111. This bill would prevent HOAs or condo boards from unreasonably restricting a homeowner from installing an EV charging station in their designated parking space.

The hearing went well. No opposition to the bill. In fact, the group that represents the interests of HOAs and condominiums in Maryland testified that they’ve worked out a few tweaks to the bill with the sponsor, Delegate Marc Korman, and are supporting the bill with those amendments.

Right-to-Charge Senate Bill Filed

The Senate cross-file for the Right to Charge legislation is SB 734 sponsored by Senators Lam, Peters, Rosapepe, and Young. The hearing date hasn’t been scheduled yet. Keep an eye on the Electric Vehicle Legislation Tracker for the hearing date on SB 734.

Bill to Extend ZEEVIC

HB 232, sponsored by Del. Fraser-Hidalgo is being heard in the House Environment and Transportation Committee on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 1:00 PM. This bill would extend the term of the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council (ZEEVIC) until June 30, 2026. The term of the council sunsets this year.

Clean Cars Act (EV Rebate) Hearings

Governor Hogan’s Clean Cars Act of 2020 has hearings in the House and Senate. SB 277 is on Feb. 11 in Senate Finance and HB 359 is on Feb. 13 in the House Environment and Transportation Committee.

Here is an update for EV-related legislation in Richmond:

Virginia Anti-ICEing Fine Cut From $500 to $100-$250

SB 911 which proposed a $500 fine for ICEing was amended in the Committee on Transportation to cut the fine to $100-$250. I spoke to Senator Hashimi’s Legislative Aide about this bill. The reasoning behind the amended fine is to bring it in line with the penalty for parking in handicapped spots.

Legislative Services also clarified for me that the traffic infraction/penalty would apply to blocking charging stations at publicly accessible, private property.

I asked what does “clearly marked mean? They responded that the Code is not specific as to what is required to be “clearly marked.” It would likely include signage and/or painting of the parking spot (similar to a handicap spot). It’s not sufficient for enforcement to just have a charging station located next to the spot.

Critical Typo Caught – Being Fixed

I also informed Virginia Legislative Services of a typo in the Committee substitute printed 20107318D-S1 text. They intend to fix the typo, otherwise, the way it is worded it will be illegal to park an EV in an EV charging spot. It shall constitute a traffic infraction for any person to park a plug-in electric motor vehicle, as defined in § 56-1, in a parking space clearly marked as reserved for charging plug-in electric motor vehicles.

Virginia EV Rebate Probably Not Happening

The Virginia EV Rebate bill, HB 717, is probably not going to produce incentive money this year. The bill was changed to study the feasibility of an electric vehicle rebate program instead.

The electric school bus grant bill, HB 1140,  is in the Committee on Labor and Commerce, Subcommittee 3.

For daily updates see the PlugInSites Electric Vehicle Legislation Tracker

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