Maryland Congressional Bills

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2459: ABLE Employment Flexibility Act

This bill allows working people with disabilities who use ABLE accounts (tax-advantaged savings accounts for disability-related expenses) to redirect employer retirement contributions into their ABLE accounts instead of their employer's retirement plan. It amends retirement and ABLE tax rules to prevent these individuals from losing retirement benefits when making this choice, by treating employer contributions to ABLE accounts as if they were made to the retirement plan. The key mechanism requires retirement plans to offer this option universally to eligible employees and clarifies that such contributions won't violate retirement plan nondiscrimination rules. This change applies to retirement plan years starting after the bill's enactment, with immediate implementation for employer contribution rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2444: End Polluter Welfare Act of 2025

This bill eliminates government subsidies for fossil fuel production by increasing royalties for oil and gas extraction, terminating tax credits for fossil fuel companies, and prohibiting government funding for fossil fuel projects. It repeals recent legislation that provided fossil fuel subsidies, including provisions from the Inflation Reduction Act, and requires a study of additional subsidies. The bill affects fossil fuel companies, government agencies, and financial institutions that support fossil fuel development. Key provisions would take effect for production and tax years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2464: Community Investment and Prosperity Act

This bill amends two existing banking regulations by increasing a numerical threshold from 15 to 20 in two specific sections: the Revised Statutes (12 U.S.C. 24) and the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 338a). It makes a technical adjustment to banking rules without creating new programs or directly affecting citizens, businesses, or government programs. The change modifies how certain financial provisions are calculated under current law but does not alter the underlying policy or impact any specific groups. As a procedural amendment to existing statutes, it has no direct public-facing effect.

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2447: Repealing the Trump Sick Tax Act

This bill repeals two specific provisions from the 2023 "Trump Sick Tax Act" (Public Law 119-21) that affected Medicaid and drug pricing. It restores previous Medicaid cost-sharing rules under Title XIX of the Social Security Act and reverts changes to orphan drug exclusions under the Drug Price Negotiation Program (Title XI). These changes directly affect Medicaid beneficiaries and pharmaceutical manufacturers by returning to the pre-2023 policy framework for cost-sharing and drug pricing negotiations. The bill does not create new programs but reverses specific cost-related provisions enacted in 2023.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2461: Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2025

This bill extends tax deferral for company stock sold to employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and fixes a rule that previously caused small businesses to lose government benefits after 49% ownership transferred to an ESOP. It creates a new Treasury Department office to provide education and technical assistance for companies adopting ESOPs, and establishes a Labor Department Advocate for Employee Ownership to coordinate federal efforts and promote employee ownership. These changes directly affect S corporations considering ESOPs, current ESOP-owned businesses, and small businesses seeking to maintain eligibility for government programs. The bill focuses on removing barriers to employee ownership through concrete tax, eligibility, and support mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Steve Daines (R) · 33 co-sponsors

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2429: Stop the Scammers Act

The Stop the Scammers Act establishes a whistleblower reward program for individuals reporting violations of federal consumer financial law (e.g., scams, fraud). Whistleblowers who provide original information leading to successful enforcement actions by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) may receive 10-30% of recovered civil penalties (minimum $50,000 if penalties are under $1 million). The bill mandates strong confidentiality protections for whistleblowers, prohibits employers from waiving these rights via contracts, and requires the CFPB to report annually on the program. It directly affects whistleblowers in consumer finance cases and the CFPB’s enforcement process, not the general public.

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2463: Eviction Right to Counsel Act of 2025

This bill provides federal funding to states, local governments, and tribal entities that have implemented or will implement "right to counsel" laws for low-income tenants. It establishes a $100 million annual fund (2026-2030) to grant money to jurisdictions with existing or planned laws guaranteeing free legal representation for tenants earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty line in eviction cases or housing subsidy terminations. The grants cover costs like attorney training and recruitment, with priority given to jurisdictions that also limit evictions for non-fault reasons, require 30-day notice periods, or offer rental assistance. The bill does not create new legal rights but supports existing state/local programs that provide free legal aid during eviction proceedings.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Maryland · House Jul 24, 2025

HR 4651: Immigration Enforcement Staff Body Camera Accountability Act

HR 4651 requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, as well as detention facility staff interacting with detainees, to wear body cameras during all official operations. The bill mandates cameras be turned on at shift start and remain active continuously, with footage made available to parties in related legal proceedings. It also establishes policies for using AI/facial recognition on footage, prohibits staff from claiming camera malfunctions without evidence, and subjects violators to disciplinary actions like pay reduction or suspension. The law must be implemented using existing funding, with annual privacy assessments of how footage is handled.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jul 23, 2025

SCONRES 19: A concurrent resolution recognizing the need to improve physical access to many federally funded facilities for all people of the United States, particularly people with disabilities.

This concurrent resolution (SCONRES 19) is a symbolic statement recognizing that people with disabilities face daily barriers accessing federally funded facilities. It does not create new legal requirements but reaffirms support for the existing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act of 1968. The resolution pledges to prioritize "universal and inclusive design" in future infrastructure projects and calls for removing access barriers for all people, particularly those with disabilities. It cites statistics on disability prevalence (1 in 4 adults) but focuses on principle, not policy change. As a resolution, it has no binding effect on federal agencies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

in committee · Maryland · House Jul 23, 2025

HRES 610: Expressing the approval of Congress for the 72d anniversary celebration of the Small Business Administration and in recognition of America's entrepreneurs and job creators for their important contributions to the United States economy.

This resolution (HRES 610) is a ceremonial House of Representatives measure commemorating the 72nd anniversary of the Small Business Administration (SBA), established in 1953. It formally recognizes American entrepreneurs and small businesses for their economic contributions, citing statistics on their role in job creation, innovation, and national resilience. The resolution has no policy changes or direct effects; it solely expresses Congress's symbolic approval of the SBA's anniversary celebration and acknowledges small businesses' importance to the U.S. economy.

in committee · Maryland · House Jul 23, 2025

HRES 601: Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to lead the world in biomedical research.

HRES 601 is a non-binding House resolution recognizing the Federal Government's duty to lead global biomedical research. It expresses Congress's position that NIH funding and scientific independence are critical national assets, emphasizing the need to protect research capacity and double biomedical investment over the next decade. The resolution lists specific goals, including reducing cancer deaths, advancing Alzheimer's research, and improving clinical trial representation, but does not create new laws or allocate funds. It directly addresses the National Institutes of Health (NIH), federal research policy, and the broader biomedical research community. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect but aims to shape future policy discussions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jul 23, 2025

S 2402: First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act of 2025

This bill creates a refundable tax credit of up to $15,000 (10% of purchase price) for first-time homebuyers in the U.S. To qualify, buyers must be at least 18 years old, have no recent home ownership, and purchase with a federally-backed mortgage. The credit is reduced for higher-income households relative to local median income and home prices. Homeowners who sell within 4 years must repay the credit, though exceptions exist for military service or job changes. The credit can also be transferred to the mortgage lender at the time of purchase.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Maryland Congressional Bills

Bill results