Maryland Bills

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 855: Baltimore County - Alcoholic Beverages - Manufacturer's Limited Beer, Wine, and Liquor Permit

SB 855 creates a new "Manufacturer’s Limited Beer, Wine, and Liquor Permit" for Baltimore County businesses holding specific manufacturer licenses (like Class 5 breweries). It allows these businesses to host private events where licensed caterers or contractors serve sealed beer, wine, and liquor *not* produced by the manufacturer, for on-premises consumption at the business location. The permit requires prior approval from the Baltimore County Board of License Commissioners for each event and prohibits the manufacturer from being affiliated with the caterer. This change directly affects eligible manufacturers seeking to host such private events without altering existing retail alcohol sales rules.

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 615: Common Ownership Communities - Reserve Accounts and Reserve Studies - Alterations

SB 615 requires condominiums, homeowners associations, and cooperative housing corporations in Maryland to conduct regular reserve studies and budget for major repairs. It mandates an initial reserve study within 30 days before a key meeting, followed by updates every five years, with specific deadlines based on the community’s location and establishment date (e.g., Prince George’s County communities established after 2020 must comply by 2026). The bill also allows members (not just the board) to declare financial hardship, extending relief periods, and requires boards to add funds to reserve accounts if they deviate from required funding levels for capital components. This directly affects community associations managing shared property, ensuring they plan for future costs like roof replacements or elevator repairs. The law amends Maryland’s real property and association statutes to standardize these financial planning requirements.

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 2, 2026

HB 1443: Retail Supply of Electricity and Gas - Regulation and Consumer Protection - Alterations

HB 1443 modernizes Maryland's retail electricity and gas market rules. It repeals outdated provisions about energy salesperson licensing and green power marketing, while requiring the Public Service Commission to create an "Energy Choice Multimedia Program" to educate consumers about energy choices and climate commitments. Key changes include new requirements for energy suppliers to submit vendor lists to the Commission, updated license renewal processes, and added due process protections before license actions. The bill directly affects electricity/gas suppliers, energy vendors, and residential consumers through these regulatory updates.

Topics ✓ Energy

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 2, 2026

HB 981: Investor-Owned Public Service Companies - Base Rate Proceeding - Equity Market Return

HB 981 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to use the 10-year average U.S. equity market return when setting base rates for investor-owned gas and electric utilities. The Commission must determine this rate using multiple objective sources and may adjust utility rates based on how risky a company's operations are compared to the market return. This directly affects gas and electric utility companies and their customers by changing how rates are calculated for service. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 679: Criminal Procedure - Motion to Reduce Duration of Sentence - Eligibility (Vincent Anthony Fisher III Act)

SB 679, the "Vincent Anthony Fisher III Act," allows certain individuals to request a reduction in their prison sentence. It applies to people convicted as adults for offenses committed when they were minors (before October 1, 2021) and imprisoned for at least 20 years, or those convicted between ages 18-24 (not life without parole, not sex offenders, and not convicted of specific violent crimes like murder of first responders or hate crimes) with 20+ years served. The bill requires a court hearing where the person must show they are not a public danger and that a reduced sentence serves justice, considering factors like their age at the offense, rehabilitation efforts, victim input, and family circumstances. The court must consider these factors before deciding whether to shorten the prison term.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 116: Board of Public Works – Contract Review – Climate and Sustainability Information

SB 116 requires Maryland state agencies to include specific climate and sustainability information when submitting certain contracts for approval by the Board of Public Works. It applies to six contract types, including construction, energy performance, and architectural services, and mandates agencies to detail how contracts support greenhouse gas reduction, climate resilience, sustainable sourcing, and adherence to green building standards. The bill also requires liaisons from the Governor’s office, Comptroller, and Treasurer to ensure compliance and ensure this information appears on the Board’s agenda. This policy change, effective July 1, 2026, directly affects state agencies managing these contracts and the Board’s review process.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 2, 2026

HB 381: State Highway Administration - Urban Core and Urban Center Traffic Control Devices - No Turn on Red

HB 381 requires Maryland's State Highway Administration to install traffic control devices prohibiting right turns on red at specific intersections on state highways in urban cores and urban centers by July 1, 2029. It directly affects drivers at these intersections by changing the default rule from "turns on red are permitted unless prohibited" to "turns on red are prohibited unless allowed by a sign." The bill amends existing law to mandate these devices while allowing exceptions if installation would significantly impair public safety. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, with full implementation required by 2029.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 2, 2026

HB 401: Prince George's County - Speed Monitoring Systems - Maryland Route 5 PG 315-26

HB 401 authorizes Prince George's County to install and operate speed monitoring systems on Maryland Route 5, subject to signage requirements. It requires that all revenue from violations detected by these systems must be used exclusively for highway and pedestrian safety improvements on or near MD Route 5 in the county. The bill also mandates real-time speed display for drivers using these systems. This directly affects Prince George's County (as the implementing jurisdiction) and drivers traveling on MD Route 5. The policy change specifically redirects enforcement revenue toward local safety infrastructure, rather than general county funds.

Topics ✓ Transportation

died · Maryland · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 408: Anne Arundel County Public Schools - Election Official Career and Technical Education Pilot Program

SB 408 creates a pilot program in Anne Arundel County Public Schools to prepare high school students for careers as election officials. The bill requires the Anne Arundel County Board of Education and the State Board of Elections (with input from the State Department of Education) to develop this career training program starting July 1, 2026. The program will run for five years, ending June 30, 2031, and applies only to Anne Arundel County schools. It directly affects students in the county’s public schools by offering structured career pathways in election administration. The bill does not change existing election laws but establishes a new educational opportunity specific to the county.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

HB 354: Maryland Port Administration - Acquisition of Land in Anne Arundel County - Notice of Public Hearing

HB 354 requires the Maryland Port Administration to provide written notice to Anne Arundel County's state legislative delegation at least two weeks before announcing a public hearing on land acquisition in the county. This procedural change applies to any land or improvements the Port Administration seeks to acquire. The bill amends existing law to mandate this notice period, ensuring the county delegation is informed prior to hearings. It does not alter land acquisition rules but adds a formal step for county input.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

HB 95: Family Law - Marriage License Applications - Appearance and Affidavits

HB 95 (Family Law - Marriage License Applications - Appearance in Court) requires **both parties** to appear in person before a circuit court clerk to apply for a marriage license in Maryland, replacing the current requirement that only one party needs to appear. The bill mandates that both applicants provide full legal names, addresses, birth dates, relationship status, marital history, and documentation (like birth certificates or Social Security numbers) during this in-person visit. Non-resident couples may still use an affidavit sworn in their home jurisdiction, but the affidavit must now include all the same information required for the standard in-person application. This change applies to all marriage license applications processed in Maryland starting October 1, 2026, directly affecting anyone applying for a marriage license in the state.

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

HB 192: Maryland Higher Education Commission - Religious Educational Institutions - Certificate of Approval

HB 192 exempts certain religious educational institutions from needing a certificate of approval from Maryland's Higher Education Commission to operate in the state. It applies to institutions established solely for religious education, offering only sectarian instruction aligned with their faith, and stating the religious nature of awards on diplomas. The bill specifically excludes institutions accredited by U.S. Department of Education-recognized bodies from this exemption. It also grandfathered in religious schools operating continuously in Maryland since before January 1, 2013. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Bill results