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HB 843 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Washington County - Notice of Tax Sale - Alterations

HB 843 changes Washington County's requirements for notifying property owners about tax sales. It reduces the number of newspaper notices from four to two published in alternate weeks and requires posting the sale notice on the county website four weeks before the sale. The bill also mandates that Washington County send one additional notice copy to property owners within 15 days after the initial notice. These changes directly affect property owners in Washington County whose properties are sold at tax sales to cover unpaid taxes. The bill amends Maryland’s tax code sections 14-813(a) and 14-817.1, effective October 1, 2026.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Last action Mar 30, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Washington County - Notice of Tax Sale - Alterations → Third - Washington County - Notice of Tax Sale - Alterations · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill adds a new exception allowing tax sale foreclosures to begin as early as 60 days after the sale if a government agency certifies the property needs substantial repairs to meet business codes. It also adds a new reimbursement category for reasonable attorney's fees (capped at $500) when a property is redeemed more than four months after the sale. The changes aim to accelerate the clearance of non-compliant commercial properties and provide better financial recourse for tax sale holders.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of early foreclosure eligibility to include properties requiring substantial repairs to comply with business codes, a condition not previously covered.
REQUIREMENT

Added a new condition allowing foreclosure actions to start 60 days after a tax sale if a government agency certifies the property requires substantial repairs to comply with business codes.

FISCAL

Added a reimbursement category for reasonable attorney's fees (capped at $500) for holders of tax sale certificates if the property is redeemed more than four months after the sale.

TIMELINE

Modified the foreclosure timeline by introducing a 60-day early foreclosure window for specific commercial properties, whereas the standard minimum wait time remains six months.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2026

How they voted

126–0
Passed · 16 other
Total votes 142
Mar 14, 2026
D Democratic103
94 Yea 9
91% Yea
R Republican39
32 Yea 7
82% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Mar 30, 2026
Committee
Referred Rules
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Ways and Means
lower
Mar 14, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (126-0-16)
house of delegates
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
First Reading Ways and Means
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.