SB 278 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Tax Relief and State Personnel Equality for Service Members Act

SB 278 expands Maryland's definition of "uniformed services" to include members of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), previously limited to only the armed forces. This change updates how "veteran" status is defined in state law, ensuring these service members qualify for state benefits. The bill requires Maryland's tax and pension programs to apply equally to all uniformed services, eliminating prior exclusions for non-military personnel. It directly affects service members in the Public Health Service and NOAA, granting them parity in state tax relief, pensions, and other benefits.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 10, 2025 Signed May 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Tax Relief and Pensions Equality for Service Members Act → Third - Tax Relief and State Personnel Equality for Service Members Act · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly reorganized and expanded, adding multiple new sponsors and committee approvals while shifting focus from purely service member benefits to include state personnel equality. The bill now covers more Maryland government articles and adds new definitions for 'active duty' and 'active service member' to clarify eligibility for various state programs and tax benefits.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily tax relief and pension equality for service members to include state personnel equality, with broader applicability across Local Government, State Government, State Personnel and Pensions, and Tax articles.

SCOPE

Added multiple new sponsors including Benson, Corderman, Guzzone, Hettleman, M. Jackson, King, Lewis Young, McCray, Rosapepe, and Zucker, and Zucker, and Hester, indicating broader legislative support.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'ACTIVE DUTY' and 'ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBER' referencing State Government Article Section 9-901 to clarify who qualifies for benefits.

REQUIREMENT

Added new provisions to Local Government Article Section 1-101(k) and (l) regarding uniformed services and veteran definitions for state benefit programs.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified State Personnel and Pensions Article sections to include additional provisions for active service members and veterans in benefit eligibility.

TECHNICAL

Added committee report showing favorable approval with amendments and floor amendments, indicating the bill has progressed through legislative review.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2025

How they voted

46–0

Passed

Total votes 46

Feb 27, 2025

D Democratic33

33 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 6, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 258

executive

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Appropriations

lower

Mar 24, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (135-0-4)

house of delegates

Mar 15, 2025

Committee

Referred Appropriations Ways and Means

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (46-0)

senate

Jan 10, 2025

Committee

First Reading Budget and Taxation and Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

17 primary · 0 co-sponsors