Maryland Bills

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 974: Caroline County - Alcoholic Beverages - Inspector

This bill clarifies who serves as the inspector for Caroline County's Board of License Commissioners regarding alcoholic beverages. It specifies that the inspector must be either the county codes administrator or an individual appointed by the Board. The bill also requires the Board to define the inspector's duties (including enforcement of local alcohol laws) and states the inspector's salary will be set by the county budget. This is a procedural change affecting only Caroline County's alcohol licensing process, with no new policy requirements.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1611: Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses - Income Eligibility

HB 1611 repeals a fixed $100,000 federal adjusted gross income limit for disabled veterans seeking a property tax credit on their primary residence. Instead, it allows counties and municipalities to set their own income eligibility criteria for the credit, based on a veteran's federal adjusted gross income. The bill directly affects disabled veterans (with service-connected disabilities of 50%+) and their surviving spouses who own their homes. Key provisions shift authority from the state to local governments to determine income thresholds, while maintaining existing credit rates (25% or 50% of property tax) based on disability rating. The change takes effect June 1, 2026, for tax years beginning after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 890: Insurance - Captive Insurers - Premium Receipts Tax Study

SB 890 exempts premiums for captive insurance purchased by nonprofit hospitals and healthcare systems in Maryland from the state's insurance premium receipts tax. Specifically, it removes the tax obligation for premiums paid by these entities, including their parent companies, subsidiaries, or affiliated providers. The bill also prohibits the Maryland Insurance Administration from charging past-due taxes, penalties, or interest related to this tax for qualifying entities before the law's effective date. This directly affects nonprofit healthcare organizations seeking cost savings on self-insurance arrangements. The policy change modifies existing tax code sections to create this specific exemption.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 637: Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund - Fund Producer Commission Rate

SB 637 would remove a requirement that the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) must pay insurance agents (fund producers) at least 10% commission on private passenger auto insurance policies. Currently, state law mandates this minimum rate, but the bill deletes that "not less than 10%" provision. After passage, MAIF could set commission rates below 10% for these policies, though it would still be capped at 15%. This directly affects insurance agents who sell MAIF policies, changing how they are compensated.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1387: Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund - Fund Producer Commission Rate

HB 1387 repeals the requirement that Maryland's Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) must pay fund producers (insurance agents/brokers) a minimum 10% commission on private passenger auto insurance policies. This bill removes the current law (Section 20-512 of Maryland's Insurance Article) that mandated MAIF to pay at least 10% commission (capped at 15% for private passenger auto), giving MAIF discretion to set commission rates without this floor. The change directly affects fund producers who sell MAIF policies, as they may receive lower commissions under the new policy. The repeal takes effect October 1, 2026.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 805: Income Tax - Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit - Alterations

SB 805 modifies Maryland's Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit program. It changes the recapture rule so individuals only repay the *unused portion* of the credit (not the full amount) if they don't use it for student loan payments within 3 years. The bill also authorizes the Maryland Higher Education Commission to extend the repayment deadline for eligible individuals facing specific delays, such as litigation over federal student loan plans or government processing issues. This directly affects Maryland residents who claimed the credit for undergraduate or graduate student loan debt and must now use it within a flexible timeframe. The bill does not alter credit limits ($9 million for 2025, $18 million annually after) or priority rules for state employees.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 530: Aging-in-Place Programs - Grants - Multigenerational Third Places (Village Multigenerational Third Places Act)

SB 530 creates a new grant program for the Maryland Department of Aging to fund nonprofit organizations and area agencies on aging. It specifically provides grants to support social connection for seniors in aging-in-place programs through events at "multigenerational third places" - community spaces (not homes or workplaces) where people of different ages gather. The bill requires nonprofits to match grant funds and sets aside at least 20% of the annual $100,000 minimum appropriation for senior villages (member-driven community organizations supporting aging in place). The grants cover operational costs for these community spaces, including lease or rental expenses, to help seniors stay connected in their neighborhoods.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 982: Mutual Insurance Holding Companies - Conversion to Mutual Insurers

SB 982 allows mutual insurance holding companies in Maryland to convert their structure to become mutual insurers (companies owned by policyholders rather than shareholders). To do this, companies must create a detailed plan of conversion approved by their board, 75% of voting members, and the Maryland Insurance Commissioner. The plan requires existing policies to remain in effect, membership interests to transfer to the new mutual insurer, and the converted company to maintain sufficient funds for policyholder protection. This bill amends Maryland’s insurance laws to establish these requirements and streamline the conversion process.

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 808: Health Insurance - Provider Panels - Requirements

SB 808 amends Maryland's health insurance laws to change how health insurance carriers manage provider panels. It eliminates application fees carriers can charge providers, requires carriers to send specific notices to providers within set timeframes, and mandates more frequent updates to provider directories. The bill also expands the types of providers carriers cannot restrict on panels and updates rules for multi-carrier online directory systems. These changes directly affect health insurance carriers and healthcare providers seeking to join insurance networks.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 720: Education - Artificial Intelligence - Guidelines, Professional Development, and Collaborative (Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act)

SB 720, the "Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act," requires Maryland’s State Department of Education to create and maintain online guidance for schools, educators, parents, and students on the safe, ethical, and equitable use of AI in K-12 education. It mandates county school boards to adopt AI policies within 120 days of guidance release, designate AI coordinators, and procure AI tools aligned with state standards. The bill also requires Morgan State University to annually certify AI tools and establishes statewide teacher training in AI literacy by July 2027, with compensation for educators participating. Local school systems must integrate AI into workforce preparation standards by June 2027, coordinated with the Maryland Center for Computing Education. The law directly affects all Maryland public schools, educators, students, and technology vendors supplying educational AI tools.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 819: Judicial In Rem Tax Foreclosure - Notice Requirements

SB 819 amends Maryland's tax foreclosure law to change how counties and municipalities must notify property owners when filing for judicial in rem foreclosure on vacant or abandoned properties. It replaces a specific 5-day mailing requirement with standard court service procedures under Maryland Rules, requiring notice to all interested parties via proper legal service. This directly affects property owners with delinquent taxes on vacant properties cited as unsafe, as well as local governments initiating foreclosure actions. The bill maintains existing requirements like a 6-month tax delinquency threshold and a 30-day delay before hearings, but streamlines the notice process to align with standard court procedures.

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 738: Real Property - Transfer-on-Death Deed - Establishment

HB 738 establishes a legal mechanism for Maryland property owners to transfer real estate automatically to designated beneficiaries upon death, bypassing probate court. It creates "transfer-on-death deeds" (TODDs) with specific requirements for creation, revocation, and recording in county land records, while exempting these deeds from certain property transfer taxes. The bill directly affects Maryland homeowners who wish to simplify estate planning for real property, including those with existing life estate deeds that meet specific conditions. Key provisions include standardized forms for TODDs, retroactive application to qualifying pre-existing deeds, and updated recording rules for county clerks.

Bill results