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HB 231 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Higher Education - Guaranteed Access Grant Program - Applicability

HB 231 delays the shift from a centralized to a decentralized management system for Maryland's Guaranteed Access Grant Program until the 2029-2030 academic year. It postpones the requirement for colleges to independently determine grant awards based on state-compiled need lists, keeping the current process in place longer. This directly affects Maryland public and private colleges receiving state grant funds and undergraduate students applying for need-based financial aid. The bill does not change the program's core rules but extends the timeline for implementing a new administrative structure.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Sep 17, 2025 Signed Apr 14, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Higher Education - Guaranteed Access Grant Program - Applicability → Third - Higher Education - Guaranteed Access Grant Program - Applicability · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill text has been updated to reflect its progression from a pre-filed draft to an adopted House bill, including the addition of a favorable committee report and adoption status. The substantive legal language regarding the Guaranteed Access Grant Program, including eligibility criteria, funding mechanisms, and the effective date of July 1, 2026, remains unchanged.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the text describes the same program requirements and timeline as the original draft.
TECHNICAL

Added status indicators showing the bill was reported favorably by the committee and adopted by the House.

Added signature lines for the Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate.

Removed the 'PRE-FILED' designation and the 'CF SB 207' cross-reference, indicating the bill is now an independent House measure.

Changed the title from 'A BILL ENTITLED' to 'CHAPTER ______' to reflect the bill's status as a passed act.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 19, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

How they voted

45–0
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 49
Mar 19, 2026
D Democratic36
32 Yea 4
88% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Apr 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 98
executive
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
upper
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)
senate
Mar 12, 2026
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Appropriations
lower
Feb 27, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (138-0-5)
house of delegates
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Appropriations and Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
Sep 17, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.