Maryland Bills

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1211: Condominiums - Unit Owner Responsibility for Damage or Destruction

This bill changes who pays for repairs in condo buildings based on where damage originates. If damage starts in a unit (e.g., a leaky pipe in a specific apartment), the unit owner must cover the full repair costs - not just the insurance deductible. For damage from common areas or outside events (like a storm), the condo association covers the deductible. The bill requires associations to send owners an annual written notice detailing these responsibilities. It applies to residential condos but excludes non-residential buildings.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1282: Tobacco Products, Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Smoking Devices - Advertising to Minors - Prohibition

HB 1282 prohibits licensed tobacco sellers from advertising or marketing tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or vaping liquids to anyone under 21 years old. It bans specific tactics like using cartoons, superheroes, food images targeting minors, or symbols associated with youth in advertisements. The bill also restricts advertising in media where 15% or more of the audience is under 21, or within 500 feet of schools. This directly affects retailers and manufacturers licensed to sell tobacco products in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1303: Alcoholic Beverages - Class A License - Retail Establishments (Alcoholic Beverages Modernization Act of 2026)

HB 1303, the "Alcoholic Beverages Modernization Act of 2026," allows qualifying food retailers (with at least 5 food categories and 4,000 sq ft), pharmacies, and retail service stations (with electric vehicle charging) to obtain Class A alcohol sales licenses. It permits these businesses to purchase licenses from existing holders or apply directly to local licensing boards, with approval presumed to be in the community’s best interest. The bill restricts sales to 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (Mon-Sat), prohibits self-checkout systems for alcohol, and bans selling small mixed drinks or exterior alcohol advertising. Existing license holders must be at least 3,000 feet away from the new applicant’s location, and all licensees must complete alcohol awareness training and employ security for alcohol sales areas.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1519: Cannabis - Management Service Agreements, Advertising, and Penalties - Alterations (Cannabis Reform and Opportunity Act)

HB 1519, the "Cannabis Reform and Opportunity Act," revises Maryland's cannabis regulations to streamline business operations. It clarifies that "control" of a cannabis business excludes certain management service agreements (capped at 25% of gross revenue or 50% of gross profit annually), franchise relationships, and purchase options. The bill removes restrictions on acquiring ownership interests in multiple cannabis businesses and requires management agreements to be reviewed by the Maryland Cannabis Administration. It also modifies advertising rules to permit outdoor ads near business premises (but not within specific distances of schools) and increases fines for unlicensed cannabis sales. These changes primarily affect licensed cannabis businesses, investors, and advertisers operating under Maryland's cannabis program.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1073: Landlord and Tenant - Residential Leases - Prospective Tenant Criminal History Records Check (Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act)

HB 1073 (Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act) prohibits landlords from requiring or using criminal history checks to screen prospective tenants before making a conditional lease offer. Landlords may only consider specific criminal convictions *after* extending a conditional offer and must allow tenants to provide evidence about inaccuracies or rehabilitation. The bill also bans housing ads that discriminate based on criminal records and requires the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs to publish model documents and annual data on criminal history use in leasing. It makes violations subject to penalties under Maryland’s consumer protection laws. The law directly affects residential landlords and prospective tenants in Maryland seeking housing.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1024: Eminent Domain - Agricultural and Conservation Easements - Prohibited Taking

HB 1024 prohibits the State of Maryland or its local governments from using eminent domain to take privately owned property subject to a permanent agricultural or conservation easement. This directly affects landowners who have placed such easements on their property, including farmers and conservation organizations. The bill amends Maryland law to explicitly state that state entities "may not take by eminent domain" these easement-covered properties, while maintaining existing procedures for state roads and Baltimore City. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1260: Common Ownership Communities - Online Publication of Resale Disclosures

HB 1260 requires homeowners associations (HOAs), condominiums, and cooperative housing corporations in Maryland to publish specific resale information about properties on their websites in a free, downloadable format. This applies directly to residents and sellers within these communities when transferring ownership of individual units. The bill limits fees these groups can charge for providing basic information about a specific unit or lot, ensuring transparency without cost to buyers. It amends existing Maryland law to mandate online disclosure of details like financial obligations, structural conditions, and insurance coverage, replacing previous requirements for physical or paid access.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1269: Common Ownership Communities - Reserve Accounts and Reserve Studies - Alterations

HB 1269 requires condominiums, homeowners associations (HOAs), and cooperative housing corporations in Maryland to conduct regular reserve studies assessing costs for major repairs to structural, mechanical, and plumbing components. These studies must be updated every five years and include detailed cost estimates for future replacements. The bill also allows members (not just the governing board) to declare financial hardship, extending relief periods, and mandates adding funds to reserve accounts if communities deviate from required funding levels. It applies to newer properties in Prince George’s, Montgomery, and other counties with phased implementation timelines based on when the community was established. The goal is to ensure communities maintain sufficient funds for capital repairs through standardized budgeting and assessment requirements.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 960: Economic Development - Federal Employee-to-Entrepreneur Program - Establishment

HB 960 establishes Maryland's Federal Employee-to-Entrepreneur Program within the Department of Commerce to assist former or transitioning federal employees in starting businesses. The program provides annual training, one-on-one coaching, and tools for business planning, compliance, marketing, and capital readiness to 60 participants (4 cohorts of 15) each fiscal year. It requires the Department to develop application procedures and a curriculum, with $400,000 in annual state funding to support these services. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, creating a structured pathway for federal workers seeking entrepreneurial careers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 971: Maryland Medical Advisory Committee - Duties and Workgroup to Study the Adoption of a Fee-for-Service Model for All Medicaid Services

HB 971 creates a workgroup to study whether Maryland should adopt a fee-for-service model for all Medicaid services, meaning providers would be paid directly per service (instead of through managed care organizations). The workgroup, composed of two legislators, a health care commission representative, and three Governor-appointed members (including a provider and an advocate), will assess the feasibility of this change. The study will examine how a fee-for-service model could work across the entire Medicaid program, including its impact on access and costs. The bill does not change current Medicaid policy but mandates this study to inform future decisions.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1285: Health - Opioid Overdose Reversal Drugs - Possession, Storage, and Administration Past Expiration Date

HB 1285 allows schools, colleges, and public buildings to legally possess, store, and administer expired opioid overdose reversal drugs (like naloxone) for up to one year after their expiration date. The bill amends Maryland law to explicitly permit this use while maintaining requirements for obtaining and storing these medications. Key provisions include updating school health policies (Section 7-426.5), college prevention policies (Section 11-1202), and public building naloxone placement rules (Section 13-518) to include expired stock within the one-year window. This change aims to increase access to life-saving medication during emergencies without requiring immediate replacement of expired stock.

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 968: Corporations and Associations - Maryland Securities Act - Filing Fees

HB 968 increases filing fees for specific securities-related submissions under Maryland's Securities Act. It raises the fee for filings under exemption §11-601(16) from $100 to $250 per filing, and for the initial notice of federal covered securities from $100 to $250, with an additional $150 fee for subsequent notices. These changes directly affect businesses and individuals submitting these filings, such as those offering securities under certain exemptions or federal-covered securities. The fee increases will take effect October 1, 2026, with no changes to the registration fee structure for securities offerings.

Bill results