Maryland Bills | MyRepTracker

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 643: Natural Resources - Hunting - Management

SB 643 allows Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to authorize deer population reduction on properties with documented deer damage (minimum 10 acres) using methods that may include Sunday hunting permits, subject to restrictions near equestrian trails. It repeals the ban on Sunday hunting for migratory game birds and sets a standard 30-minute-before-sunrise-to-10:30 a.m. time window for Sunday hunting in designated counties during game bird and mammal seasons, with exceptions during deer firearms season and spring turkey season. The bill replaces previous county-specific Sunday hunting rules with a statewide regulatory approach managed by the Department. This directly affects property owners with deer damage and hunters in participating counties during specified seasons.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 145: Election Law - Election Misinformation, Election Disinformation, and Deepfakes

HB 145 requires Maryland's State Administrator of Elections to act on credible reports of election misinformation (false information about voting) or disinformation (knowingly misleading information) by providing corrective information, requesting removal from online platforms, and seeking records via subpoena. It prohibits knowingly using AI-generated deepfakes (manipulated videos/audio) to mislead voters about voting rights, election results, or registration, with violations punishable as misdemeanors carrying up to $5,000 fines or 5 years in jail. The law exempts satire, news coverage (like interviews or documentaries), and media outlets that clearly label deceptive content. It directly affects voters seeking accurate election information, election officials managing reports, and content creators distributing election-related material. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Technology

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 437: Transportation - Major Highway Capacity Expansion Projects and Impact Assessments (Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026)

HB 437, the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026, requires Maryland’s Department of Transportation to conduct impact assessments for major highway expansion projects costing over $100 million. These assessments must evaluate greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled, and the department must develop a multimodal transportation program (including transit, biking, and pedestrian improvements) to offset emissions from the project. The program must prioritize overburdened and underserved communities affected by the project, aiming for net-zero or negative greenhouse gas emissions when combined with the highway project. This applies to projects not already funded or reviewed before June 30, 2026, and affects highway planning decisions across the state.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 577: Criminal Law - Firearm Crimes - Machine Gun Convertible Pistols

HB 577 prohibits the manufacture, sale, purchase, possession, or transfer of "machine gun convertible pistols" in Maryland after a specified date. These are defined as semiautomatic pistols with a special trigger mechanism that can be easily converted to automatic fire using common tools or a "pistol converter" device. The bill creates new criminal penalties for violating this ban, with key exceptions allowing law enforcement use, licensed dealer transactions for specific purposes, and inheritance by qualified individuals. It does not affect standard semiautomatic firearms or restrict existing lawfully owned weapons.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 407: Criminal Law - Sexual Offense by a Person in a Position of Authority

SB 407 strengthens protections for minors by prohibiting individuals in positions of authority (such as teachers, coaches, or school staff) from engaging in sexual contact with minors they supervise who are at least 6 years younger. It specifically amends Maryland's criminal code to increase penalties for violations, including up to 3 years in prison for repeat offenders, and adds this offense as a basis for sex offender registry classification. The bill also refines definitions of "person in a position of authority" to include school staff and program leaders, and clarifies that these offenses cannot be treated as lesser included crimes. This directly affects school employees, youth program leaders, and minors under 18 in their care.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

passed both · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 146: Environment - On-Site Wastewater Systems - Requirements for Inspection and Pumping Services and Implementation Dates

HB 146 requires landlords of properties with on-site wastewater systems (like septic systems) to ensure the system is inspected and pumped by a licensed professional before each new tenant moves in, starting July 1, 2028. It also mandates that real estate sales contracts for such properties include a condition requiring the buyer to confirm the system has been inspected and pumped by a licensed professional before closing. The law allows inspections and pumping services to remain valid for three years and requires property owners to notify authorities if a system fails. Exemptions include transfers between family members, refinancing, or initial construction. The bill sets deadlines for the state to adopt regulations (by 2027) and license service providers (by 2028).

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 433: Family Law - Temporary and Final Protective Orders - Duration

SB 433 extends the timeframe for temporary protective orders in Maryland from 7 to 14 days after service and requires final protective order hearings to occur within 14 days of service, rather than 7 days. It also adds new provisions allowing judges to order respondents to pay specific costs incurred due to abuse, including medical/dental care, property repairs, shelter, transportation, court fees, and attorney fees. The bill clarifies that monetary awards under these provisions do not prevent petitioners from seeking additional compensation later for unawarded expenses. This directly affects individuals seeking protection from abuse (petitioners) and those accused of abuse (respondents) in family law cases. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 99: Open Meetings Act - County Boards of Education - Enhanced Requirements (Local Boards of Education Transparency Act)

SB 99 requires county school boards and Baltimore City’s school board to live-stream all public meetings on their websites, making them accessible to the public in real time. It mandates posting meeting agendas 48 hours in advance (or as soon as possible for emergencies) and posting minutes from public sessions within two business days. The bill also requires boards to maintain archived video recordings of public meetings for at least one year. These changes apply specifically to Maryland’s local school boards, enhancing transparency around their decision-making processes.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 694: Income Tax - Addition Modification for Federal Tax-Exempt Income - Study

HB 694 modifies Maryland's income tax calculation by excluding certain foreign earned income from the state tax addition. Specifically, it removes the requirement to include income exempt from federal tax under IRS Section 911 (for overseas workers) when calculating Maryland adjusted gross income. This change directly affects Maryland residents who work abroad and qualify for the federal foreign earned income exclusion. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 10, 2026

HB 706: State Finance - Delinquent Federal Funds (Federal Obligations Enforcement Act)

HB 706 (Federal Obligations Enforcement Act) authorizes Maryland's Central Collection Unit to collect delinquent federal funds owed to the state, directly affecting the state government and the federal government. Key provisions allow the Unit to place liens on federal property within Maryland, withhold state payments to the federal government, and refer delinquent funds for enforcement. The bill establishes that the Board of Public Works can determine federal delinquency when the government fails to comply with court decisions on spending. It modifies existing Maryland law to reserve state jurisdiction over federal land and creates specific procedures for collecting funds. The law focuses on concrete enforcement mechanisms for unpaid federal obligations to the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 181: Hunting - Restrictions of Venison Donation

Maryland's SB 181 requires hunters to use non-lead ammunition for all game species by specific dates: pen-raised birds by July 1, 2027; upland birds, migratory birds, and turkeys by July 1, 2028; and deer and other game by July 1, 2029. It directly affects licensed hunters using firearms for hunting in Maryland, excluding muzzleloaders and handguns if non-lead ammunition isn't commercially available. The bill defines "non-lead ammunition" as having less than 1% lead content or being federally approved as non-toxic. The Department of Natural Resources must adopt these regulations by the specified deadlines. The bill is pending approval and has not yet taken effect.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 956: Maryland Transportation Authority - Video Tolls - Collection

SB 956 allows the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) to waive unpaid video tolls or associated penalties without first recalling the debt from the Central Collection Unit (CCU). It directly affects drivers who owe video tolls (charged when cameras capture license plates instead of transponders). The key provision requires the MDTA to notify the CCU if a waiver is granted, so the CCU can adjust fees under state law. This changes the collection process by giving the MDTA new flexibility to reduce debt without the prior step of pulling accounts from the CCU. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.