HB 359 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Property Tax Credit - Urban Agricultural Property - Alterations

HB 359 amends Maryland's property tax credit for urban agricultural property, clarifying eligibility and adding procedural requirements for jurisdictions granting the credit. It defines "urban agricultural property" as land between 1/8 and 5 acres in priority areas (not assessed as agricultural) used for activities like crop production, beekeeping, environmental mitigation, community programs, or agritourism. The bill requires jurisdictions to evaluate the credit's effectiveness after 3 years and, if terminating it, must provide the public with at least one year's notice and an opportunity to comment or appeal. This directly affects Baltimore City, counties, and municipalities that administer the tax credit for qualifying urban farms and agricultural operations.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 19, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
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What changed between versions

First - Property Tax Credit - Urban Agricultural Property - Alterations Third - Property Tax Credit - Urban Agricultural Property - Alterations · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to expand the definition of urban agricultural purposes to include hydroponics and other soilless or controlled-environment crop production methods. Additionally, the text was updated to reflect the bill's progression through the legislative process, including committee approval and adoption.
Scope change
The scope of eligible activities under the tax credit was broadened to explicitly include hydroponics and other soilless or controlled-environment crop production methods.
ELIGIBILITY

Added 'HYDROPONICS AND OTHER SOILLESS OR CONTROLLED-ENVIRONMENT CROP PRODUCTION METHODS' to the list of eligible urban agricultural activities.

TECHNICAL

Updated header information to reflect the bill's status as 'Third' reading and added signatures for the Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 19, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

442
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
Mar 19, 2026
D Democratic36
31 Yea 2 Nay 3
86% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 769
executive
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (44-2-3)
senate
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Referred Budget and Taxation
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
lower
Feb 25, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (120-0-22)
house of delegates
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
First Reading Ways and Means
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors