HB 681 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Baltimore City - Ordinance Enforcement - Fines and Penalties

HB 681 increases Baltimore City's maximum civil and criminal fine for ordinance violations from $1,000 to $5,000. This directly affects residents and businesses in Baltimore City who may face penalties for breaking local ordinances, rules, or regulations. The bill amends the city charter to raise the cap on fines while maintaining a maximum 12-month jail term for violations. It does not change the types of ordinances covered but allows the city to impose higher penalties for enforcement. The change takes effect October 1, 2026.

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 2, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Baltimore City - Ordinance Enforcement - Amount of Fines and Penalties → Third - Baltimore City - Ordinance Enforcement - Fines and Penalties · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to change its stated purpose from increasing fine limits to removing existing maximums, while simultaneously updating the actual fine cap from $1,000 to $5,000. Administrative status was added to reflect that the bill has been adopted and is awaiting final approval.

Scope change

The bill's stated purpose was broadened to include 'removing the maximum amount,' although the operative text still sets a specific $5,000 limit.

SCOPE

The bill's purpose clause was changed from 'increasing the maximum amount' to 'increasing removing the maximum amount,' creating a contradictory statement.

ENFORCEMENT

The maximum civil and criminal fine for ordinance violations was increased from $1,000 to $5,000.

TECHNICAL

Administrative details including committee report status, house action, and reading dates were added to the header.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

How they voted

46–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 49

Mar 27, 2026

D Democratic36

34 Yea 2

94% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 486

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 27, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (46-0-3)

senate

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Judicial Proceedings Budget and Taxation

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 (119-10-13)

house of delegates

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors