HB 898 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Economic Development - Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (DECADE) Act

HB 898, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland's economic development programs to streamline administration and expand incentives. It redesignates the Economic Development Opportunities Program Account as the "Strategic Closing Fund" under the Department of Commerce, alters eligibility and calculation rules for tax credits (including Job Creation, R&D, and film production credits), and extends the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program. The bill allows pass-through entities to allocate tax credits to members and removes limits on film production tax credit certificates. These changes directly affect businesses, investors, and film producers seeking state economic development incentives.

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 4, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

Third - Economic Development - Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (DECADE) Act → Enrolled - Economic Development - Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (DECADE) Act · 4 edits · Feb 6, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an Enrolled Bill, confirming it has passed both legislative chambers and is ready for the Governor's signature. Substantively, the text was reorganized to transfer a specific State Finance and Procurement section to the Economic Development article and to correct a section number in the list of repealed statutes, ensuring the final law accurately reflects the intended legal changes to tax credits and economic programs.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on economic development, tax credits, and program administration, but the internal organization of the code was adjusted to move a specific funding account provision from the State Finance article to the Economic Development article.

TECHNICAL

The header information was updated to reflect the bill's final 'Enrolled' status, including the addition of proofreader signatures and the Great Seal presentation language.

A provision transferring Article 7, Section 7-314 to Article 5, Section 5-108 was moved from the beginning of the bill to a different location to improve the logical flow of the text.

The list of sections being repealed and reenacted was updated to include a new section number (5-1501(a)) and remove an incorrect reference (5-1501(m)), correcting the legal citations.

The description of the video lottery proceeds distribution was slightly expanded to include 'certain video lottery terminal proceeds' and added administrative requirements.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2026 · House of Delegates Apr 1, 2026

How they voted

48–1

Passed

Total votes 49

Mar 26, 2026

D Democratic36

36 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1 Nay

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 352

executive

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Enrolled

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Introduced

House Concurs Senate Amendments

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

upper

Apr 1, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (114-23-5)

house of delegates

Mar 26, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (48-1)

senate

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Budget and Taxation Finance

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 Ways and Means

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

First Reading Economic Matters

lower

42 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role

Legislator

Party

State

District