HB 160 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

State and Local Government - Real Property - Confederate Naming Prohibited

HB 160 prohibits Maryland state entities (like agencies and courts) and local governments (counties, cities, school districts, and towns) from assigning Confederate names to real property they own, such as streets, parks, or buildings. It defines a "Confederate name" as one honoring the Confederacy or its soldiers, and explicitly states the law applies only prospectively - meaning it won’t require changing existing names on property already bearing such names. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026, after which new naming decisions must avoid Confederate references. This is a policy change focused on preventing future Confederate naming in public spaces.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Aug 11, 2025 Last action Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - State and Local Government - Real Property - Confederate Naming Prohibited → Third - State and Local Government - Real Property - Confederate Naming Prohibited · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the definition of 'Confederate Name' to include references to the 'States in Rebellion' and any aspect of the Confederacy, not just commemoration. The definition was also broadened to include entities that served on behalf of the Confederacy in military or civilian capacities. The bill was formally adopted and received a favorable committee report with amendments, moving it closer to becoming law.

Scope change

The scope of prohibited names was expanded from only commemorative names to include any name referencing the States in Rebellion or any aspect of the Confederacy, and now includes entities serving on behalf of the Confederacy.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Confederate Name' was expanded to include any name that commemorates OR references any aspect of the States in Rebellion, operating as the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865, rather than just names that commemorate the Confederacy.

The definition now includes any person or entity that served voluntarily with OR ON BEHALF OF the Confederate States of America in any military or civilian capacity, broadening who is covered beyond just those who served voluntarily.

TECHNICAL

Added committee report status showing the bill was adopted with favorable amendments and read a second time on March 7, 2026, indicating legislative progress.

Added signature lines for Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate, indicating the bill has been approved and is ready for final execution.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

How they voted

116–7

Passed · 19 other

Total votes 142

Mar 9, 2026

D Democratic103

93 Yea 10

90% Yea

R Republican39

23 Yea 7 Nay 9

58% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Mar 9, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (116-7-19)

house of delegates

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Aug 11, 2025

Introduced

Pre-filed

lower

6 primary · 0 co-sponsors