SB 961 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Income Tax Credit - Venison Donation - Alterations

SB 961 modifies Maryland's tax credit for hunters donating processed deer meat. It removes the previous $300 annual limit on the credit, allowing hunters to claim the full credit for eligible expenses without the cap. The bill maintains a $75 per deer processing expense limit and requires donations to go to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations. Hunters must still comply with hunting laws, and donation programs must report donor information to the Comptroller annually. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Governor
Introduced Feb 13, 2026 Last action Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Income Tax Credit - Venison Donation - Alterations Third - Income Tax Credit - Venison Donation - Alterations · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was re-referred to the Budget and Taxation committee with a favorable report, indicating it is moving forward in the legislative process. The text of the law itself remains substantively unchanged, with no modifications to the tax credit limits, eligibility requirements, or effective dates.
TIMELINE

Added procedural status updates showing the bill was re-referred to the Budget and Taxation committee on March 18, 2026, received a favorable committee report, and was adopted by the Senate on March 19, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document header from 'A BILL ENTITLED' to 'CHAPTER ______' to reflect its status as an enacted law rather than a proposed bill.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2026 · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

How they voted

440
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 49
Mar 20, 2026
D Democratic36
31 Yea 5
86% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
8
Committee
8
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Committee
Rereferred to Ways and Means
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Committee
Referred Rules and Executive Nominations
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation
upper
Apr 7, 2026
Committee
Rereferred to Budget and Taxation
upper
Apr 2, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (131-1-10)
house of delegates
Mar 20, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)
senate
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
First Reading Senate Rules
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Johnny Salling
Johnny Salling
RRepublican
MD
6