HB 1530 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Higher Education - Undocumented Students - Out-of-State Tuition Exemption Eligibility

HB 1530 repeals a requirement that undocumented students (or their parents/guardians) must file Maryland income tax returns annually for three years to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges. The bill directly affects undocumented students who attended Maryland high schools and meet other existing criteria (graduation from a Maryland school, applying within six years). Instead of tax filings, students must now submit an affidavit committing to apply for permanent residency within 30 days of eligibility, plus proof of Selective Service compliance if required. The bill maintains other eligibility conditions like Maryland high school attendance but removes the tax documentation burden, aiming to simplify access to in-state tuition rates.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 13, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Higher Education - Undocumented Students - Out-of-State Tuition Exemption Eligibility Third - Higher Education - Undocumented Students - Out-of-State Tuition Exemption Eligibility · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to reduce the tax filing requirement for undocumented students seeking tuition exemptions from three years to two years. Additionally, the bill was reorganized to include a specific reference to subsection (b)(4) of the existing law, and the committee reported the bill favorably with these amendments.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding eligibility criteria was narrowed slightly by reducing the required duration of tax filing history, making the exemption easier to qualify for.
ELIGIBILITY

Reduced the required tax filing history for tuition exemption eligibility from a 3-year period to a 2-year period.

TECHNICAL

Added a specific reference to Section 15-106.8(b)(4) in the repeal and reenactment clause.

PROCEDURAL

Added a committee report indicating the bill was favorably amended and adopted by the House.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

3514
Passed
Total votes 49
Mar 25, 2026
D Democratic36
35 Yea 1 Nay
97% Yea
R Republican13
13 Nay
100% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 799
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (35-14)
senate
Mar 19, 2026
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Appropriations
lower
Mar 5, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (98-36-8)
house of delegates
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
First Reading Appropriations
lower
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors