Baltimore County - Residential Real Property - Moratorium on Assessment Increases and Review of Assessment Practices and Methodology

HB 1330 imposes a moratorium on increases to the assessed value of residential property in Baltimore County for taxable years 2025-2026, preventing most value hikes except for specific circumstances like zoning changes, major renovations ($100,000+ value added), or errors. The bill also requires the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to hire an independent third party by December 1, 2026, to study and recommend improvements to residential property assessment practices. The Department must then report findings and proposed actions to the Governor and General Assembly. This directly affects Baltimore County homeowners whose property values would otherwise rise, while mandating a review of assessment methodology.