State Department of Assessments and Taxation and Department of General Services - Property Appraisal Aids - Geographic Images

HB 176 requires Maryland's State Department of Assessments and Taxation to create and maintain a statewide database of geographic images - including aerial photos and mapping tools - for property appraisals. It also mandates the Department of General Services to procure a uniform system for managing these tools. Counties and Baltimore City must reimburse the state for database costs: 100% of the first $1 million and 50% of any amount above that. The bill further requires the state to develop privacy policies by June 2026 to protect individuals' identities captured in aerial imagery. This affects local governments through cost-sharing and property appraisers through updated appraisal tools.